Array of receivers step up for Eagles in Maclin's absence

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - With Jeremy Maclin out with shoulder and hamstring injuries, the Eagles were in dire need of production from their receivers to complement DeSean Jackson.

The understudies caught on well as Riley Cooper had his first touchdown of the season and Steve Smith added his first as an Eagle in the 17-10 win over the Giants in Sunday's NFC East matchup at MetLife Stadium.

Chad Hall also made some key plays in his first game this season and tight end Brent Celek was his usual steady self.

There were others who made key contributions and it was needed on an evening when the Eagles had to win without some major offensive components.

Besides Maclin, the Eagles were without quarterback Michael Vick, out with broken ribs.

His replacement Vince Young, completed passes to seven different receivers. While Jackson had six receptions for 88 yards and also a key 51-yard punt return, the other receivers provided their share of big plays.

Smith, a former Giant who signed as a free agent this year, had just one catch, but it was for a 14-yard touchdown, giving the Eagles a 10-0 lead late in the second quarter.

"It felt good, to show that I could be a big-time player," said Smith, who caught the fans' derision last week after falling short of a critical first down in the stunning loss to the Cardinals.

Cooper had five receptions for 75 yards and the game-winning 8-yard score with 2:45 remaining that broke a 10-10 tie. He hadn't caught a pass all season and had a few drops last week.

"It definitely feels good to have a good game," Cooper said. "I have to get better but I am happy that Vince [Young] went to me during some key times during the game."

None more key than the winning drive.

The Eagles marched 80 yards in 18 plays in a drive that consumed 8 minutes and 51 seconds and ended with Cooper's winning catch. In that drive, the Eagles converted six third-down plays.

"It was one of those drives where everybody dug deep and found a way to push through it," Cooper said. game."

Jason Avant had just one reception for 13 yards, but it came on this drive on second-and-16 from the Eagles' 45-yard-line. Avant made a sensational fingertip catch on a ball that appeared to be about an inch off ground before being tackled by Kenny Phillips.

"There was a guy in front of me and if I could have seen it I would have gone down, but I didn't see it so I did the best I could," Avant said.

Another key player in the passing game was Celek, who had six receptions for 60 yards. In addition, Clay Harbor had a 6-yard reception for a first down in the winning drive.

This was a game where the Eagles got a little bit of something from a large number of receivers and in doing so were able to avenge an earlier 29-16 loss to the Giants.