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Sunday, December 7, 2008
Eagles-Giants Report Card

Our report card on the Eagles' win over the Giants:

RUSHING OFFENSE

Amazingly, the pass-happy Eagles did the smart thing on a windy day and ran the ball. Ran it a season-high 41 times. Gave it to Brian Westbrook a career-high 33 times. Only averaged 3.5 yards per carry, but controlled the ball, particularly in the second half, when they had for 20 1/2 minutes  Grade: A-minus

PASSING OFFENSE

Donovan McNabb completed 19 of 30 passes, including 12 to Brian Westbrook and L.J . Smith. Didn’t throw an interception for the second straight game. Westbrook’s 72 receiving yards were a season high. So were Smith’s six receptions. Grade: B-plus

RUN DEFENSE

A month ago, Brandon Jacobs and the Giants steamrolled the Eagles for 219 rushing yards. In Sunday’s rematch, the Eagles held them to 88 yards on 24 carries. Giants had just 2 runs of 10 yards or more. Grade: B-plus

PASS DEFENSE

With no Plaxico Burress to worry about and a little assist from the wind, the Eagles held Eli Manning to seven completions in 21 attempts in the first three quarters. Safeties and linebackers did an excellent job on tight end Kevin Boss, holding him to one catch for 5 yards. Grade: A

SPECIAL TEAMS

David Akers, who entered the game just 9-for-18 in his career at the Meadowlands had a near-disastrous day. He had two field goal attempts blocked, including one that was returned for a touchdown at the end of the first half. Grade: D

OVERALL

So much for the belief that the Giants were unbeatable. The Eagles’ offensive and defensive lines both won the trench battles. In man-bites-dog news, Andy Reid ran the ball a season-high 41 times. Grade: A

Posted by Paul Domowitch @ 6:04 PM  Permalink | 31 comments
31
Comments   
Posted 09:24 AM, 12/09/2008
dpcoz
If the D holds the GIANTS under 100 yards rushing, that's reminiscent of a Gang-Green Style defense. Give 'em an A - and overall - rushing Defense has been pretty good this year.
Posted 05:20 PM, 12/08/2008
tangofox
Good game, even though tried to give it away ar the end. (there wasn't enough time)lets finish strong instead of slacking off (prevent)
Posted 04:34 PM, 12/08/2008
bbohannon
As I said on another blog, I was at the game, on the goal line. Akers and the Giants kicker tried to kick into the wind at the goal from the twenty, The couln't reach the Giants logo. The only way they could get it through was to kick at an extremely low angle. During halftime Akers came back out and couldn't even come close to the uprights, it looked like the ball was actually coming back to him. Maybe if the morons on wip were at the game, or if fox would have shown the warmups, or ANY of the reporters actually went to the game, we would have that view of it. Akers had to go low, he had no choice. On both kicks.
Posted 01:43 PM, 12/08/2008
epalmer
I’m a big Eagles fan but the last few years have been pretty much the same. High hopes to nowhere. I’m tired of Andy’s play calling and draft picks. He needs to go along with McNabb’s sometimes he can run and sometimes he can’t. I really don’t think it’s going to get the Eagles a SB win, maybe just another trip there but nothing else. I don’t think we can get any more from number 5. I’m willing to wait a few years while a number 1 draft pick QB learns the game too. Example is Aaron Rogers; he’s doing well and has potential to do better. I don’t see that potential in 5. McNabb may have already given us his best years and is riding a dead horse.
Posted 01:43 PM, 12/08/2008
epalmer
I’m a big Eagles fan but the last few years have been pretty much the same. High hopes to nowhere. I’m tired of Andy’s play calling and draft picks. He needs to go along with McNabb’s sometimes he can run and sometimes he can’t. I really don’t think it’s going to get the Eagles a SB win, maybe just another trip there but nothing else. I don’t think we can get any more from number 5. I’m willing to wait a few years while a number 1 draft pick QB learns the game too. Example is Aaron Rogers; he’s doing well and has potential to do better. I don’t see that potential in 5. McNabb may have already given us his best years and is riding a dead horse.
Posted 11:40 AM, 12/08/2008
CR Mahler
Amazing! Three weeks ago we were screaming our heads off after a 13-13 tie to the Bengals. It only got worse after the loss to the Ravens. Then we get a win against the Cardinals on Thanksgiving evening and... Here come the Giants. Did anyone see this coming? We stop Manning and Jacobs and come off with a big win. It didn't hurt that Manning didn't have Burress and had to fight windy conditions. Could it be that 5 had those horrible games against Cincy and Baltimoe because of his wife's difficult pregnancy? He looked okay yesterday now that the twins are safely here. And AR going with a pounding NFL rushing game. Pinch me but I still have a hard time believing that the Birds controlled the game yesterday. Well, here we go... win or go home. Cleveland, Washington, and the Cowboys - if we play yesterday's game for the remainder of the season we are 10-5-1 and in the playoffs. It's possible but then there is always the AR factor. Today we celebrate, next Monday, hmmmmmm, we'll see.
Posted 11:05 AM, 12/08/2008
bigcityballer
I'm inclined to give the secondary a decent grade. They got smoked once and a couple of the pass interference calls were pretty bizarre. Divine intervention for us to get into the playoffs. Losing the winnable games like the bears and the cowboys hurt more than the tie. And Bryneb - I still say McNabb throwing to Roy Williams is different than Romo throwing to Roy. Unless of course you think Romo is better quarterback. All I know is that the last McNabb had a quality receiver the Eagles were in the super bowl.
Posted 10:20 AM, 12/08/2008
craig123
Did anyone notice how GREAT the third quarter was? After a blocked field goal attempt returned for a TD to end the half, the Eagles came out in the 3rd, playing into the wind and only let the Giants touch the ball once. Nice, very nice.
Posted 09:46 AM, 12/08/2008
shipu56
dpcoz, I agree with you. Domo, how could you have only given the Eagles a B+ for run defense? They completely shut down the Giants running game!
Posted 08:52 AM, 12/08/2008
Warhound
Again, Jack V shows, that, unlike most seven year olds, he can't turn off his caplocks.
Posted 08:43 AM, 12/08/2008
budman21
Grades posted at 5:55pm Sunday....We won't hold it against you if you'd like to re-think a few of those grades Paul....Duh
Posted 08:30 AM, 12/08/2008
john newlin
The win at NY has the potential of turning the season around, if the Eagles can maintain the intense resolve it took to get it done yesterday. I was a nay-sayer before the game, but when a team puts in that intangible extra 20% they usually win, and the Eagles have done that for the past two weeks(doing the same at Cinci would make everything so much easier). They will have to do the intangible 20% at three more times---and that should get them into the playoffs, since the Skins and 'Boys are among the teams to beat. That, an Atlanta loss does it, but they must run the table. It's the same 20% that we saw the Giants put out a year ago, game after game after game.
Posted 08:04 AM, 12/08/2008
kingsolomonsmind
They played a great game. I listened to most of it on the radio, but caught the first and last touchdown (as well as the last field goal) on TV. If they shore up the blocking on the field goal attempts, these last three games can be really special, especially with Akers hitting his stride.
Posted 07:29 AM, 12/08/2008
Phillyexp
In defense of Akers on the blocked kick returned for the TD, did you see the hold? The ball was practically sideways. Where's Koy when you need him. Good win though. I give the Giants credit for no excuses. They got beat plain and simple. When the Birds use Westbrook the right way and let those big fat guys up front get after them they've got a chance.
Posted 12:21 AM, 12/08/2008
djtootuff
McDougle??? Please, get a life.
Posted 11:40 PM, 12/07/2008
TheFirstStateVinman
No one should get too excited, if the Eagles don't win out, they won't make the playoffs, period! Nice win, but they need 3 more...
Posted 11:34 PM, 12/07/2008
cedara
I give them huge credit for the win, but when are they going to scrap that defense that is supposed to prevent the other team from making big plays? That was an atrocious way to end an otherwise wonderful game for the Eagles. They put themselves within reach of the Giants at the end. They were lucky they recovered the ball on the onside kick or else who knows what could have happened? Scrap that thing now. It hasn't worked in the past either!
Posted 11:30 PM, 12/07/2008
Nothing but the truth
The only reason the eagles were able to run the ball was because McDougle wasn't playing. That guy is a beast on the run and the pass.
Posted 11:29 PM, 12/07/2008
JVS
We don't exactly need a miracle, just 3 more wins and one Atlanta loss and we're in. The way Cleveland and Washington are playing, that's certainly possible. And there are three weeks between now and the Dallas game for TO to implode... If we are playing the Cowgirls at home for the playoffs, I think we make it.
Posted 11:23 PM, 12/07/2008
JACK V
AGAIN, DOMO SHOWS HE KNOWS VERY LITTLE ABOUT PRO BALL WITH HIS REPORT CARD. WITHOUT AKEERS 51 YARDER AND 24 AT END IT'S A TIE. SQUASHED GIANTS KICK/PUNT RETURNS. WORTH MORE THAN A FAILING D. RUN DEFENSE HOLDING THE BEST RUSHING TEAM IN FOOTBALL UNDER 100YARDS IS 'A PLUS'. PASSING OFFENSE PUTS UP ONE TOUCHDOWN, NO INTERCEPTIONS, OVERCOMES REFS NON INTERFERENCE CALLS GETS MANY OF THE 67% THIRD DOWN CONVERSIONS ON A BLISTERING WINDY DAY AND TEAM WINS, WORTH AN 'A PLUS'. GET A GRIP DOMO OPEN YOUR EYES CLEAR YOUR MIND STOP BEING SO NEGATIVE.
Posted 10:45 PM, 12/07/2008
androoo
How do you have an A overall with the grades given in each section? It doesn't make sense. There's only one A and an A-, everything else is lower and the overall is an A? Man, I wish I had teachers that thought like this! I'm not saying the team didn't deserve the A, I'm saying the other grades are too LOW. Only a B+ for run defense?!! The Giants have one of the best running games in the league with their 3 man rotation and the Eagles stopped them. I was annoyed at the Eagles a few weeks ago too, but give them props where they deserve it.
Posted 10:15 PM, 12/07/2008
YIPO
The guy doing the grades should look thru the glass not the frames.
Comment removed.
Posted 09:13 PM, 12/07/2008
inquisitor
Birds still need to run the table and the others shoot themselves in the foot a little bit. If Dallass loses to Giants next week, then it gets interesting.
Posted 09:07 PM, 12/07/2008
cheeks4two
i will give Akers a bye because no one can kick well in that dump "MO"
Posted 08:44 PM, 12/07/2008
HO HUM
Finally the Eagles wore down a Giants defense.Made Donavans job a lot easier. Brian was textbook.His TD run should be made a video to show H S backs how to pick a hole.
Posted 08:06 PM, 12/07/2008
ziggy
The G-Men made some big mistakes and got a couple big breaks...but - the Birds BEAT them on both sides of the ball. Three more wins and let the chips fall where they may. The final game of the season we play for the playoffs or keep the cowgirls out!
Posted 07:51 PM, 12/07/2008
pog
1. Great win. Anytime you beat the Gints it's a great day. 2. Where was this all year? 3. Doesn't change a thing. Still need a miracle - help from other teams. On a positive note, maybe AR has changes his stripes? He doesn't have to admit it. He doesn't have to say, 'sorry.' He just has to do it. So, next year, new philosophy, new QB?
Posted 06:59 PM, 12/07/2008
dpcoz
yeah, 88 yards on 24 carries against the New York Giants, a team that specializes on the run gets an A in my book.
Comment removed.
Posted 06:26 PM, 12/07/2008
bryneb
Great game today! I was just watching the Cowboys game and saw Roy Williams. It reminded me of all the d-bags on this site saying the Birds should have made a stronger play for him. He would be the piece to put the Cowboys over the top now that he was playing for a good team. In 5 games since the trade- 11 rec, 161 yds, 1 td. Hank Baskett in the same stretch- 10 rec, 156 yds, 1 td. Another prime example of how ignorant some of you whiners are. Go Birds!
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Les BowenLes Bowen has covered the Eagles for the Daily News since 2002. Before that, he spent nearly 13 years covering the Flyers. It took Les only a few seasons after the switch to figure out that there was no penalty box at the Linc, and that the time really wasn't his, despite what Andy Reid kept saying. Les came to Philadelphia and the Daily News from Charlotte in 1983. In the intervening years, he has pretty much lost track of NASCAR, and his accent. He, his wife Barbara, and their two sons live in Haddon Township, New Jersey.

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Paul DomowitchPaul Domowitch has been with the Daily News since 1982. He has spent most of his 27 years at the paper covering the Eagles and pro football. For the last 10 years, he’s been a selector for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A native of Wilkes-Barre and a graduate of Wilkes University, Domo came to the Daily News from the Fort Worth (Tx.) Star-Telegram, where he covered some god-awful Texas Ranger baseball teams. His first beat at the Daily News actually wa s boxing, which he covered just long enough to lose two sports coats to blood spatter before moving on to football. Domo and his wife Shelley, a University of Oklahoma grad and very dangerous to be around following a Sooner loss, have been married 29 years and have raised 2 terrific daughters – Allison, 26, a lawyer and graduate of Boston University School of Law; and Amy, 23, who graduated from Clemson and works in marketing and sales for a professional baseball team.

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