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| ATL at NO | CIN at IND | CLE at TEN | DAL at PIT | HOU at GB | JAX at CHI | KC at DEN | MIA at BUF |
| MIN at DET | NE at SEA | NYJ at SF | OAK at SD | PHI at NYG | STL at ARI | TB at CAR | WAS at BAL |
Week 14 Game Recap: Philadelphia Eagles 20, New York Giants 14
What you need to know
| Philadelphia Eagles |
The Philadelphia Eagles took their slim playoff hopes on the road in search of their seventh victory of the season. To do so they would have to hand the conference leading Giants their second loss of the year and shut down the power rushing attack of Brandon Jacobs and company. Behind the physical play of their defense, the Eagles shut down the New York offense, limiting them to only 211 yards of offense in a physical 20-14 victory.
Eagles' workhorse running back Brian Westbrook had a big game, combining for 203 total yards on 39 touches, finding the end zone twice and scoring the only two Philadelphia touchdowns. His two touchdowns came from the outside the red zone as he ran his first score in from 30 yards out and added a 40 yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter, sealing the victory. Leading the Eagles through the air, Donovan McNabb managed a mistake free ball game, throwing for 191 yards and a score. He orchestrated an offensive attack that converted 66 percent of their third down attempts and rolled up over 300 yards of total offense in the vital six point victory.
Defensively, Philadelphia proved to have the game plan on how to shut down the power offense that New York has put on display this season. Stacking the box, the Eagles were able to limit New York to only 100 yards on the ground, which was well below their average output. The secondary buckled down as well, putting all sorts of pressure on Eli Manning, limiting him to 123 yards through the air and keeping the big play Giants from gaining any sort of momentum.
| New York Giants |
The New York Giants looked to roll along and build on their impressive 2008 campaign, welcoming in the underdog Eagles and looking to clinch the NFC East title. Struggling to find any rhythm or capitalize on any opportunity presented, Manning and the Giants sputtered out of the gate and never came to life, falling to the Eagles by a score of 20-14. Manning completed less than 50 percent of his passes for 123 yards, including a one yard toss to Darcy Johnson for the Giants only offense touchdown of the game.
On the ground Brandon Jacobs began to heat up only to be forced out of action in the third quarter due to an injury. He saw his day come to an early end after gaining 52 yards on ten carries and gave way to Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw. The backup duo combined for only 48 additional yards as they often faced eight defenders in the box, daring Manning to beat them in the cold and windy conditions.
Defensively the Giants kept themselves in the game, but in the end could not hold the Eagles offense in check as they allowed long sustained drives and multiple consecutive third down conversions. The New York special teams unit made some noise just before the half, blocking a David Akers field goal and returning it 70 yards for the touchdown as time expired in the second quarter. This momentum could not be carried over to the second half as Philadelphia came out and won the second half, domination time of possession and handing New York their second loss of the season.
What you ought to know
| QB Donovan McNabb, Pass: 19 - 30 - 191 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 5 - 20 - 0 |
McNabb managed a flawless game in the blustery conditions, moving the Eagles down the field and controlling the clock. He led the way and converted 12 of 18 third down attempts, using his arm and his legs to help his cause. Throwing for 191 yards, he completed 19 of 30 attempts and was able to find Brian Westbrook on an underneath route as the two hooked up for a 40 yard touchdown score.
| RB Brian Westbrook, Rush: 33 - 131 - 1, Rec: 6 - 72 - 1 (8 targets) |
Westbrook did it all, leading the Eagles in rushing and receiving while scoring the only two Eagles touchdowns of the game. He showed good burst when hitting the second level of defenders and was tough to take down after contact. In the passing game he was used in different formations, being set in motion to get a mismatch in coverage. On his 40 yard touchdown catch he was matched up with linebacker Antonio Pierce who he proceeded to leave in his tracks, beating him on an underneath dump pass. Westbrook looked as healthy as ever, running hard, breaking tackles and taking the game into his own hands at times.
| RB Lorenzo Booker, Rec: 1 - 1 - 0 (1 targets) |
Booker received only one target on the day, which was good for a one yard reception.
| WR DeSean Jackson, Rush: 2 - -9 - 0 (3 targets) |
Jackson had a quiet game on offense seeing only three targets and failing to record a reception. Against the pass rush of New York he seemed to be a clear third to fourth option on passing plays as McNabb relied on the quick and safe passes to his back and tight ends.
| WR Kevin Curtis, Rec: 2 - 42 - 0 (4 targets) |
Curtis was having a solid and productive day before leaving the game after suffering a concussion early in second quarter. In his limited action he was a main threat in the passing game, seeing four balls come his way, and catching half of them for 42 yards.
| WR Hank Baskett, Rec: 2 - 16 - 0 (2 targets) |
Baskett as well only saw two targets against the tough Giants' secondary, catching both passes for 16 yards. Being used on intermediate routes, Baskett worked the sideline and was able to bring in both of his passes for short gains.
| WR Greg Lewis, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (2 targets) |
Lewis saw only two targets come his way as well, catching one of them for a seven yard gain.
| WR Jason Avant, Rec: 1 - 9 - 0 (2 targets) |
Avant saw only two targets come his way as he was able to catch one ball for a nine yard gain.
| TE L.J. Smith, Rec: 6 - 44 - 0 (7 targets) |
Smith finished tied with Brian Westbrook in receptions after catching six of his seven targets for 44 yards. He was targeted on the Eagles first offensive play of the game and was a definite mismatch for the Giants linebackers. Finding space open underneath Smith fought hard after the catch and required a horde of Giant defenders to bring him down.
| PK David Akers 2 - 4 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 8 points |
Akers had two field goals blocked however was able to convert on his two other attempts, including a big field goal from 51 yards out. He converted both of his PAT tries to finish with eight points in the game.
| PHI Rush Defense |
The Eagles stacked eight in the box early and often, doing anything they could to shut down the run and force Eli Manning to throw. They did what they had to do, using key third and fourth down defenses to slow the Giants attack. They allowed over four yards a carry to Jacobs and company but benefited from a team effort led by their fast flying secondary.
| PHI Pass Defense |
The pass defense for Philadelphia gave the Manning led Giants fits for most of the day. They could not get to the Giants signal caller but played a solid game in the secondary, giving up minimal gains and getting their offensive unit back on the field. They had a few near interceptions in coverage and as always, met the receiver as soon as they made the catch.
| QB Eli Manning, Pass: 13 - 27 - 123 - 1 TD / 0 INT |
Manning was off for most of the day and did not benefit from the weather or the mistakes of his teammates. He threw for a paltry 123 yards and chipped in a late touchdown with 20 seconds left to play in the game. Between his receivers dropping a couple of passes and the physical play of the Eagles defense Manning held firm and did as much as he could to keep New York in the game. He did not turn the ball over once and seemed to be confident in the pocket trying to lead the comeback.
| RB Brandon Jacobs, Rush: 10 - 52 - 0 |
Jacobs looked determined on the ground, getting off to a quick start but being forced out of the game due to an injury on his second run of the third quarter. He finished the game with 52 yards on ten carries which was good for leading rusher stats on the New York side. In his limited action, Jacobs looked good and was running with much more power than he showed last week against the Redskins. He picked his lane and ran downhill decisively, falling forward at time to minimal gains of three to four yards. On his second run, opening up the second half, Jacobs suffered an injury and was forced to miss the rest of the sidelines. He did not return.
| RB Derrick Ward, Rush: 8 - 39 - 0, Rec: 1 - 2 - 0 (1 targets) |
Spelling the injured Jacobs, Ward struggled to put in his usual workman-like effort. He carried only eight times for 39 yards as the Giant's found themselves behind and needing to throw. Through the air he managed to grab his only target, good for a two yard gain. When running, Ward looked mobile and quick successfully picking up where Jacobs left off and running well behind that solid offensive line of New York.
| RB Ahmad Bradshaw, Rush: 5 - 9 - 0 |
Bradshaw was used to spell Ward once Jacobs left the game with an injury. He pitched in with five yards on nine carries and did not see a target in the passing game.
| WR Steve Smith, Rec: 4 - 47 - 0 (5 targets) |
Steve Smith finished the day as the Giants leading receiver even though he only saw five targets come his way. Catching four of five looks, Smith used the underneath routes and his elusiveness to get good yardage after the catch and prove to be the go to guy for Quarterback Eli Manning. He totaled 47 yards receiving using two of his catches to move the chains for New York.
| WR Domenik Hixon, Rec: 3 - 30 - 0 (9 targets) |
Hixon struggled in the loss catching only three of his nine targets and dropping a wide open deep ball on an early first half pass from Eli Manning. This play pretty much summed up his day as Philadelphia was always on him, often breaking up passes with solid hitting. He gained only 30 yards however was a clear trusted option for Eli Manning. He was looked at early and often and was given multiple opportunities to be a playmaker on offense.
| WR Amani Toomer, Rec: 2 - 25 - 0 (7 targets) |
Toomer was defended well on the day, catching only two of his seven targets for 25 yards. He could not find his normal pockets in the secondary as the Eagles threw various defensive packages at the Giants for four quarters. He was a second favorite target of Manning's with his seven looks and still appears that he can run with even the toughest of NFL defenses.
| WR Sinorice Moss, Rec: 1 - 13 - 0 (2 targets) |
Moss saw limited action, catching one of his two targets for a 13 yard gain. Moss was also used to return kickoffs.
| TE Darcy Johnson, Rec: 1 - 1 - 1 (1 targets) |
Johnson saw one target late in the fourth quarter from one yard out, bringing it in for a touchdown and pulling the Giants to within six with about 20 seconds to go in the game.
| TE Kevin Boss, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (4 targets) |
Boss was used sparingly in the passing game, seeing only four looks come his way and catching only one pass. His five yard total was the lowest since week 11 as Boss was a key target for the Philadelphia defense with Plaxico Burress out.
| PK John Carney 0 - 1 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 2 points |
Carney had his lone field goal attempt blocked early in the first half. Due to the windy conditions affecting the Meadowlands, New York elected to go for it on a few key fourth down plays, limiting Carneys opportunities.
| NYG Rush Defense |
The Giants rush defense played a less than stellar game against the visiting Eagles, allowing a big touchdown run to Brian Westbrook who fought for every yard he gained. They could not get off the field or make the big stop when they needed it. They allowed Philadelphia manageable second and third down situations and did not seem to control the line of scrimmage. There were more than a few plays where this usually smart unit over pursued the play and gave up large chunks of yardage.
| NYG Pass Defense |
The New York pass defense played a pretty good game, keeping everything in front of them and not getting beat deep. They were physical with the Philadelphia receivers however they could not contain Brian Westbrook through the air, giving up 72 yards to him alone and allowing him to break free for a 40 yard touchdown catch and run. He presented a mismatch for whoever they put on him and his runs after the catch helped keep the tired Giants defense on the field for 35 plus minutes.
