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Young steps in, delivers

Despite three interceptions, the backup QB managed the game well.

Quarterback Vince Young scrambles for a first down on the touchdown drive. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)
Quarterback Vince Young scrambles for a first down on the touchdown drive. (Ron Cortes/Staff Photographer)Read more

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - It won't go down as an artistic success, but Vince Young did enough to manage the Eagles offense during his first start at quarterback in a year.

And despite an uneven performance that started poorly but got progressively better, Young guided the Eagles to Sunday's 17-10 win over the New York Giants at MetLife Stadium.

Young was replacing Michael Vick, out with two broken ribs. For the game, Young completed 23 of 36 passes for 258 yards, two touchdowns, and three interceptions.

"It's definitely a big win," said Young "You see the excitement and the smiles on the guys, and that's what we need, what we have to have.

After this game, Young is 31-17 as a starter and has led 13 fourth-quarter, game-winning drives, according to Pro Football Reference.

When the Giants tied the score at 10 on Victor Cruz's 24-yard touchdown reception with 11 minutes, 36 seconds left, it clearly put more pressure on Young.

And he came through at the most opportune time.

Young led the Eagles on an 18-play, 80-yard drive that ended with an 8-yard scoring pass to Riley Cooper in the back of the end zone with 2:45 left in the fourth quarter.

The drive took 8:51, and the Eagles converted six third-down plays, including the touchdown pass to Cooper.

Another key play in the drive was Young's 18-yard completion to Cooper on third and 10 from the Eagles 33.

"We were taking our time, making plays, and the guys came up with big plays on third down," Young said.

Even though he was struggling early in the game, what helped was that Young's counterpart, Eli Manning reverted to the inconsistent quarterback of seasons past instead of the player who had been playing at a Pro Bowl level this year.

It was not a good first half for Young, who completed 8 for 18 passes for 89 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions.

Especially early in the game, Young was under-throwing open receivers. In fact, his first pass of the game was thrown near the feet of LeSean McCoy.

In the first half, Young had a passer rating of 38.7, and the only thing worse was Manning's passer rating of 28.7 in the first half.

It marked Young's first start since Nov. 21, 2010, a Tennessee Titans loss to Washington.

Young entered the game having attempted just one pass for the Eagles, an interception during a 20-13 win at Washington. He made a cameo appearance when Vick had the wind knocked out of him.

Against the Giants, Young had two first-half interceptions and was originally charged with a third by Corey Webster, which was returned to the Eagles' 38-yard line. Eagles coach Andy Reid challenged the ruling, and it was reversed.

The Eagles first touchdown was set up by DeSean Jackson's 51-yard punt return to the Giants 14-yard line. Young then found former Giant Steve Smith on a crossing pattern for a 14-yard touchdown, extending the Eagles' lead to 10-0 with 1:22 left in the first half.

It was a play that took a while to develop, but Young had ample protection and allowed things to develop.

In the third quarter, Young appeared more comfortable - until he got into the red zone. On second and 9 from the Giants 16-yard line, Young threw his third interception of the night. Aaron Ross picked off a fade pass in the end zone intended for Cooper. Ross had tight coverage on a pass that should have been thrown away.