Down 6 in the Fourth
The Eagles were getting beaten pretty soundly everywhere but the scoreboard when halftime arrived.
Down 6 in the Fourth
Les Bowen, Daily News Staff Writer
Updating with the third quarter:
None of that first-half dsiparity meant much when the Eagles drove a snappy 60 yards, after a 37-yard Demps return of the second-half kickoff, scoring on a very nice 7-yard pass to Hank Baskett in the back of the end zone. Somehow, the Eagles were winning, 24-20.
The Giants resumed their battering-ram attack and drove to the Birds’ 20, where Eli Manning was ruled to have stepped over the line, completing a third-down pass to Kevin Boss. Apparently, part of Manning’s back heel was not over the line, a Giants challenge ascertained, and the Giants got a first down at the 3. They took the lead back two plays later.
On replays, it seemed far from certain that Manning didn't cross the line, maybe not certain enough to overturn the ruling on the field, most nights. But the replay ruling was what it was.
The Giants were driving again when the third quarter ended; they settled for a 28-yard field goal and a 30-24 lead.
Updating with the Eagles down 17-7:
Just as the second quarter seemed destined to turn into an ugly beating, Brandon Jacobs hurdled Quintin Mikell and was met with Chris Gocong on the way down. A 10-yard gain ended in a huge hit, and a fumble that Mike Patterson, ever the ballhawk, recovered at the New York 44.
Six plays and an unnecessary roughing penalty later, it was 17-14.Donovan McNabb hit Jason Avant from 10 yards for the touchdown, after Sam Madison’s late hit on a Jackson reverse set the table.
But just when the Eagles seemed poised to assert themselves, McNabb badly underthrew a third-and-12 pass to DeSean Jackson and was intercepted by Madison, who ran the pick back to the Birds’ 14. The Eagles’ defense did a solid job in making the Giants settle for another John Carney field goal, and a 20-14 lead.
The Eagles then uncorked their longest drive of the half, 61 yards on nine plays, setting up a 29-yard David Akers field goal and a 20-17 halftime deficit, which seemed fortunate, given the numbers.
Here are some of the uglier ones: Twenty minutes and 38 seconds time of possession for the Giants, to 9:22. New York rushed for 104 yards, to 41 (and Jackson had 24 of the 41). Jacobs had 68 yards on 9 carries, Derrick Ward 36 on 9. McNabb, even after the stat-boosting final series, was 9-for-20 for 85 yards and a 53.1 passer rating. Eli Manning, under much less pressure but also much more accurate, was 14-for-22 for 149 and a 94.7 passer rating.
If Andy Reid's feet were on fire, he would stand there and warm his hands while McNabb would stand there laughing at the big guy.— Voytas- Can anyone say "Emmitt Smith"? Reid took a page out of the Barry Switzer playbook, running Westbrook two plays in a row in a crucial situation. After being stopped the first time, and with a game-long inability to get Brian free of the Giants' D, Andy once again set himself up to play the buffoon. How many times do we have to hear him say on Monday, "I need to do a better job of coaching."? Ten years is nine years too long. Also, our linebackers are young and fast, yes, but are they big enough to fill the gaps against runners like Brandon Jacobs and Co.? We're getting run over.— Bob5247
- the difference between animals and humans: lets call AR a bear. We humans have the ability to quickly learn new technology, and adapt and use that technology. We can create machines and computers that help us to do work more efficiently. Even the most complex animals do not share this feature. The only tool you will likely ever see an animal use is a stick or a rock. And even then they look confused and clumsy with it. humm,,,— osi is hurt boohoo
The ride is over. In the last 5 years Andy Reid has coached a sub-.500 team in our division. We'll never make the playoffs again with the team that we put on the field if we cannot win in our division. It's time for Andy to Go. In the words of Michael Ray Richardson - This ship be sinking. Eagles fans of old would have taken up the chant by now. We've gotten soft.— bigcityballer- Mcnabb was willing that offense himself down the field for the last 7 minutes of the game, and with 3rd and (3 or 4) they run Westbrook? AND THEN AGAIN WITH 4TH AND 1? The play before these 2 Mcnabb had just got done running like 9 yards.. Reid is an idiot. Mcnabb was actually on a roll there at the end of the game and Reid called 2 weak running plays.— johnnysanz3
- Westbrook gains 25 yards rushing through 58 minutes and you run WHO on the last two plays? brain surgeon that Andy Reid. Please. First play was dumb enough, a pitchout that had W'brook starting 3 yards BACK when he caught the ball. Second was inexcusable. the guy had been corralled ALL NIGHT by the Giants D. Why the f*** would you run up the gut with the game on the line. Try getting a little imaginitive perhaps. Maybe aQB draw -- or that pass to Jackson cutting across the middle. Oy, what a bad loss.— YanMan6
- The last two offensive plays were just that....offensive. This one is not at all on McNabb. I thought he was pretty solid. The waiting 20 seconds for the 2:00 minute warning was a joke, especially considering the next two bone-headed plays. This was a winnable game...yet again. Sigh.— zmess
Comment removed.- he should be asked if he is going to win a division game this year. this team was one yard from being 6-0 ouside the division and 0-3 in it. this team is not built to win in their own division— bobcitydoc
- Agreed. The stubborn coach still doesn't get that he's the reason his team has been so inept in short yardage situations. It's the one thing I've got against Reid--he refuses to learn from experience.— rad205
- Wow Reid sucks.— LetsGoFlyers
- Nice job putting your power running back in to get the short yardage situations. Twice. Unless Donovan is puking he should be throwing with run option.— Cryptic
- McNabb chokes it again. PLEASE get rid of him and Reid, they may be good, but they ain't great, and they are definitely losers. They have been together for 10 fing years, and they still look confused, especially in clutch situations. It was almost like watching the Super Bowl all over again. And what the f are they running on those two last plays. RIDICULOUS!!!!!!!!— macbig1011
- we need to win out— bobcitydoc
- Apparently we can conclusively see that Eli wasn't over the line of scrimmage, but we can't conclusively see that Jacobs fumbled. Horse****.— kev
- Comment removed.
