The Miracle Before the Miracle

Here is a look back at the first Miracle of the Meadowlands:

Date: Nov. 19, 1978.

Final score: Eagles 19, Giants 17.

Hero: Eagles cornerback Herm Edwards.

Goats: Giants offensive coordinator Bob Gibson, quarterback Joe Piscarcik, and running back Larry Csonka.

What happened: In Eagles coach Dick Vermeil's third season with the team, the Giants led, 17-12, with 30 seconds to play in the fourth quarter, and it appeared as if the Birds, with no time-outs left, would have their two-game winning streak snapped and fall to 6-6.

The Giants, looking to run out the clock, had a third and 2 deep in their own territory. Instead of kneeling down to kill the clock, however, Piscarcik, instructed by Gibson, tried to hand the ball off to Csonka. But the pair never completed the handoff. The ball hit Csonka's hip and dropped to the ground, and Edwards scooped it up and ran 26 yards to account for the winning score.

The Eagles went on to win the following week, end up 9-7, and lose to Atlanta, 14-13, in the NFL wild-card game.

Eagles 0 6 0 13 - 19

Giants 14 0 3 0 - 17

NY: Hammond 19 pass from Piscarik (Danelo kick)

NY: Perkins 30 pass from Piscarik (Danelo kick)

Phi: Montgomery 8 run (kick failed)

NY: FG Danelo 37

Phi: Hogan 1 run (kick failed)

Phi: Edwards 26 fumble return (Michel kick)

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