Eagles Drop 45 on Giants, Defense keeps NY in Game

I felt like I was watching a live version of Madden 2010.  Ton of offense, little defense.  The critics will say this was an instant classic game.  It was a shoot out no doubt about it.  But I can not imagine either one of these coaches left the Meadowlands last night happy with how their teams performed.

There was 83 points scored total.  That is the highest point total between these two teams in one game, ever.  And this is the 150th game played by the Giants and Eagles.

The Eagles jumped out a 14 point lead quickly in the 1st quarter just passed the five minute mark.  Donovan McNabb hit Brent Celek on an 8 yard TD pass just three and a half minutes into the game.  Celek is really emerging as one of the top Tight Ends in the league.  He now has 61 receptions on the year.  His previous season high for catches was 27.  And he doesn’t seem to have the ‘hands like feet’ syndrome LJ Smith suffered from.  Two minutes later Sheldon Brown scooped up a fumble and fast walked 60 yards into the end zone.  At that point it looked to be a blow out for the Eagles.

But Eli is a Manning.  And they have fight.  This game turned out to be a slugfest.  It was 30-17 Eagles going into halftime.  Before the final whistle blew there were three TD passes of over 60 yards, a fumble recovery for a TD of 60 yards and a 72 yard punt return by the always electric DeSean Jackson.  He is always open.  You would think defenses would try and cover him better.  Jackson has turned himself into a fan favorite for not only his ability to make big plays (8 TDs of more than 50 yards, ties record), but also for the fact he chest bumps head coach Andy Reid and that he keeps in touch with fans.  Jackson, like many other athletes, uses the social network Twitter to keep in touch with his fans.  Now while most of his posts need to be decoded (thanks @DJackTranslated), they are all carry the same message; he loves scoring and playing in Philly.  It seems that Jackson has everyone saying: TO who?

The defense for the Eagles has to have some people worried.  One of the most feared D’s in the league these past couple years was picked apart by Manning.  He threw for 391 yards and three TDs.  Two of which went for 68 and 61.  It seemed the game plan for both these teams was to drop back, pump fake and then lay it over the top of the defenders and let the wide outs run and catch.  And it worked, obviously.

The Giants still have a shot to make the playoffs.  They are a game behind Dallas for the final Wild Card spot and would seemingly have to win out for any shot at getting in.  I can see the Giants going 2-1 the rest of the year, with wins coming over Washington and Carolina.  Finishing out the year at Minnesota is going to be tough.  Even one loss might be good enough.  The Cowboys have New Orleans and Philly in their final 3 and the Packers have Pittsburgh and Arizona.  This postseason might very well be decided on the last day of the season, or even the division.

The defense needs to step up.  The final score of the game was 45-38 but could easily have been worse.  Hakeem Nicks dropped a sure catch and run score and couldn’t get his feet down in the end zone on another pass.

With this win, the Eagles take a one game lead on the division with three to play.  San Fran, Denver then Dallas.  Again not an easy road for the Eagles either.  And who said the holidays weren’t stressful?

Eagles Flying in December, Face Tough Giants Team

A memo that should have been sent out to all NFL teams before last week:  It’s December and the Eagles are flying as usual.  The Eagles are making their annual end of the year push to win the NFC East division.  Having one of the harder remaining 4 game schedules, this run will definitely test the Eagles desire to win and finally bring Philadelphia a Super Bowl win and Lombardi Trophy.  Three out of the four teams remaining on their schedule are over .500 and in the playoff hunt.  The lone subpar team is the 49ers at 5-7. 

The Eagles are no strangers to making December runs.  They are notorious for finishing the season strong going into the playoffs.  Since 2006 the Eagles have won 12 December games including the win over Washington last week.  Compared to the December victories of their NFC East rival Cowboys (5), Giants (7), and Skins (6); the Eagles have to be favorites to run the table and clinch the East for the hundredth time this decade.  Well not that much, but you know what I mean.  Clinching will not be easy.  The Cowboys and Giants both have legitimate shots at making the playoffs and winning the division.  The task for the Eagles is to focus one week at a time and one win at a time.  A real test of character will be when Denver comes into town two days after Christmas; which is sure to be an emotional homecoming for Brian Dawkins and not to mention Correll Buckhhalter.  Dawkins was the defensive leader for the Eagles D for years.  He has rejuvenated a Broncos defensive that is allowing only 95 yards on the ground and less than 17 points a game.

Can the Eagles win out?  Sure.  But like I said, it will not be easy.  The Eagles head up the NJ turnpike to play the Giants tonight which will be the last regular season home game at the Meadowlands for the Giants.  The Eagles have won three straight against the Giants dating back to last season including the playoffs.  The Giants are coming off a big win against Dallas last week with Eli Manning throwing for almost 250 yards and 2 TDs.  Steve Smith has emerged as a huge threat for the D catching over 100 yards again last week.  He is now only 21 yards shy of his first 1000 yard season in just his 3^rd year out of USC.  The 3 headed monster in the Giants backfield is not quite as scary as it once was with no back rushing for over 50 yards last week.  What the Eagles defense will have to watch out for is the short screen pass out of the back.  Brandon Jacobs, last week, took a short pass from Manning and took it 74 yards for a touchdown.   If the Eagles can contain the backs after they get out in the flats, they will be fine.

DeSean Jackson is back for the Eagles this week.  And if his Twitter account is any speculation as to how he is feeling, I expect a big day from the receiver out of Cal.  Expect a healthy mix of runs, screens and Jackson going deep.  Jeremy Macklin, the Eagles rookie and 2^nd round pick, is becoming a nice target as well for Donovan McNabb.  Defenses are having trouble covering both receivers.  Add in LeSean ‘Shady’ McCoy in the backfield and the Eagles offense is scary.  But it all starts with McNabb.  He needs to get his reads right, and he needs to know when to leave and when to stay in the pocket.  There was a couple times last week and against the Redskins where he could have picked up the ball and easily ran for 15 yards.  But McNabb is trying to establish himself as a pass first quarterback.  You have to know what you are good at.  Run McNabb.  We know you can.

Prediction:  Eagles 31, Giants 20