Although tonight’s 45-38 victory against the Giants in North Jersey didn’t always stick to script, the Eagles came up big early and often, and in the end they did just enough to win. DeSean Jackson came back in a big way and fullback Leonard Weaver again made key plays to show that he is one of the most valuable players on Philly’s offense. Brent Celek has a nice game as well.
The Eagles started out strong with a quick, yet methodical drive that began with an 11-yard run from LeSean McCoy and saw a good balance of pass and rush plays. Michael Vick even got into it with a 32-yard pass to DeSean Jackson, which set up a first-and-goal for Brent Celek, who muscled his way in for the score.
Even better than this was the 7-minute plus, 91-yard drive in the fourth quarter which signaled the end for the Giants. Leonard Weaver was responsible for half of the plays, including the touchdown. The Birds ran the ball well, McNabb made use of his plethora of weapons, and most importantly, the team controlled the clock. I panicked a bit when Reid called for the two-point conversion, but it was all for naught when Jason Avant caught the ball and ran it in.
The brightest spot of the game was DeSean Jackson, back after sitting out last week due to a concussion. With no apparent ill effects, he literally hit the ground running with several big plays, which included a 60-yard TD catch and a 72-yard punt return. He caught six passes for 168 yards. To say that he is a “Giant killer” is putting it mildly. He owns the G-men.
Additionally, Jackson has eight touchdowns this year of 50-plus yards, tying the NFL mark. Currently sharing it with him are Devin Hester (2007) and Crazy Legs Hirsch (1951).
Thankfully the Eagles offensive outburst was able to outweigh the team’s defensive flaws tonight. They couldn’t make a tackle to save their lives, and after jumping ahead early 14-0, they let the Giants get back into the game quickly. This was an asset last week, but it was a huge issue Sunday night. Several of the defenders were to blame, although transgressions by Quintin Mikell and Trent Cole stick out the most.
Mikell was called for illegal contact on Hakeem Nicks twice during the same drive, although both passes were dropped. The Eagles were eventually burned by these penalties when Nicks caught the ball on the third try. Mikell and Asante Samuel missed tackles and he ran for a 68-yard touchdown score.
The Trent Cole fiasco really has no explanation or excuse. As the game’s final seconds were ticking away, instead of ignoring a group of frustrated Giants players, Cole decided to fan the flames by throwing a punch. It was a completely unacceptable behavior from which he’ll likely see a fine, and possibly a suspension.
Additionally, Jeremy Maclin was carted off the field in tears, and it turns out that he tore his plantar fascia, which is a “week or two injury,” according to Andy Reid. Perhaps we’ll see Kevin Curtis next week.
The Eagles now sit in first place all alone in the NFC East, and while nothing’s guaranteed at this point, the team is likely headed into the playoffs. Their remaining schedule favors them, as the next two games are at home against the 49ers and Broncos, and the season finale is in Dallas.
While this game may not have been a blowout like the week 8 match-up, the Eagles still made a very strong statement. They went into enemy territory and got the win from an opponent that was riding high from a victory the previous week. This was the team’s most important game of the season and they passed the test. If they keep up this intensity over the next three weeks, they’ll have no problem playing deep into January.
