The Run Ends

The Philadelphia Eagles Ended The Giant's Season And Title Defense

The feelings of excitement and anticipation along with cockiness and arrogance could be felt by anyone, fan or player, entering Giant’s Stadium before the NFC Division Round showdown. However, a much more somber, and quiet air could be felt after the loss.
New York simply did not bring it’s “A” game. The offense struggled to move the ball, and was unable to score a touchdown. The defense held firm, but broke eventually under the weight of three turnovers, including two interceptions, one of which gave the Eagles the ball on the Giants two yard line.
Early on, the Giants had momentum. After a 65-yard return by Ahmad Bradshaw, the Giants concluded the drive with a field goal. All seemed well until Eli Manning threw his first interception of the day deep within Giants territory. The Eagles capitalized with a score of their own, putting Big Blue in a 7-3 hole.
The Giants then responded. After pressuring Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb, an intentional grounding penalty call resulted in a safety since the ball was thrown in the end zone.
While trailing 7-5 with four minutes left in the half the G-Men would then march down the field and take an 8-7 lead with another field goal.
All seemed well. A lead going into half was just what the doctor ordered. All the defense had to do was hold the Eagles for a minute and a half. However, Steve Spagnuolo made a poor choice, he used the prevent defense.
By allowing passes to eat out the clock, the Giants let the Eagles march down field, ultimately resulting in a field goal and a 10-8 lead for Philadelphia going into halftime.
There was still some hope though for the Giants. On their ensuing possession after the half the Giants would kick another field goal to take an 11-10 lead.
Once again, on their following drive, the Eagles marched down the field and kicked a field goal and making it a 13-11 Philly lead.
Up to this point, it seemed that whoever would kick the last field goal would win the game. But this proved false. After a John Carney missed field, the Eagles then drove all the way down for a touchdown, and threw New York in an insurmountable hole at 20-11.
This wasn’t the first miss by Carney: he had missed one earlier in the game during the second quarter. In fact, he didn’t look good all day. Prior to the game during warm ups he couldn’t hit a field goal over 45 yards, as this reporter saw for himself, and kicks that did go good, were wobbly, shaking balls.
After the Philadelphia score, it became clear that the Giants were in serious turmoil. On a third down run by Derrick Ward, the running back appeared to have crossed the 44 yard line for a first down; however, the ball was spotted just inches shy of the first down marker. After losing a challenge to re-spot the ball and gain a first down, New York went for it on fourth down. The Giants attempted a quarterback sneak as Eli Manning held onto the ball and tried to run up the middle. He failed giving, the Eagles possession. The Giants would never be able to recover.
Nevertheless, the Eagles would add on another field goal, making the score 23-11. Contrary to what 80,000 fans hoped, all was lost for the Giants.
Another Eli Manning pick put the nail in the coffin, leaving the Eagles to run out the clock.
So why did Big Blue lose? One could say Plaxico Burress’ shooting incident and immediate suspension from the league hurt the Giant’s offense and distracting the team.
One could also cite the fact that the team has struggled of late, ending the season with three out of four losses.
Whatever the reason, the Giants must look forward. This off season presents many tough decisions for New York. Do they resign Carney, or keep Tynes and his mega contract? Can they retain Jacobs, Ward, Toomer, Dockery, and McQuarters? Does David Carr stay on as a backup quarterback, or possibly fill a starting role on a team such as the Jets, where an exit by Brett Favre could put Gang Green in a bad situation? What should be the Giant’s priority in the draft? Do they bring in help for the offense and fill Burress’ gaping hole or bring him back? Lastly, does offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride or become head coach somewhere else? A lot of questions need to be answered if this team wants to even think about returning to the promised land.