Joe Soriano
O.J. LewisGiants prevail over Eagles 36-31
In a tough fought NFC East battle the New York Giants prevailed over the Philadelphia Eagles 36-31. The game went back and forth all night with several momentum changes. The biggest play of the evening was made by Giants Coach Tom Coughlin when he challenged a penalty against Quarterback Eli Manning in the 3rd Quarter for going beyond the line of scrimmage before he completed a pass. The call was overturned, because in the replay it was determined that Manning's right heal was behind the line by the slimmest of margins. Instead of having to settle for a field goal, the Giants were able to punch the ball in for a touchdown and take the lead 27-24.
The Eagles started the scoring on a 9 yard run by DeSean Jackson. The Eagles had taken over on the 9 yard line of the Giants after Eli Manning had thrown an interception on the Giants first possession. The Giants quickly tied the score on an 80 yard drive that culminated with a 17 yard pass to Burress for a touchdown. On the ensuing kickoff, Eagles returner Q. Demps fumbled. The Eagle Defense held the Giants, however, and they kicked a field goal to make it 10-7. After a three and out by the Eagles, the Giants again took the ball 80 yards and scored on a 1 yd pass to TE Boss to make it 17-7.
The Giants appeared to be taking control of the game at that point, and the Eagles Offense was being stymied by the Giants Defense. The momentum shifted, however, when Brandon Jacobs attempted to hurdle a Eagle Defender and was hit hard by another Eagle defender and fumbled the ball. The Eagles capitalized on the fumble by taking the ball 44 yards on six plays, scoring on a 10 yard pass from McNabb to J. Avant to make the score Giants 17 and Eagles 14. The two teams traded field goals before intermission, and the score was NYG 20 and Eagles 17 at halftime.
The Eagles took the 2nd Half Kickoff and drove the ball 60 yards on six plays to take a 24-20 lead. Next came the critical drive by the Giants when they appeared to be going to have to settle for a field goal, but because of the challenge by Coughlin, the Giants maintained possession and Brandon Jacobs scored on a 3 yard run to make the score 27-24. The Giants scored another field goal, and then added a touchdown to make it 36-24 after a failed two point conversion attempt.
The Giants again seemed to have the game in control, but the Eagles fought back gamely to make it 36-31 on a 2 yard touchdown pass from McNabb to K. Curtis.
The Eagles were able to get the ball back after stopping the Giants on the ensuing kickoff, but on 3rd and three yards to go and again on fourth and one, the Eagles ran Brian Westbrook, but he was unable to get the first down. On the Giants final possession, they ran out the clock.
In a very physical game, the Giants proved that they were the "Beasts of the East". They had 401 total yards to the Eagles 300 yards. 219 of their yards came on the ground. Brandon Jacobs lead the team with 126 yards rushing, and he scored two touchdowns.
