EAGLES NEWS

Another day another close call for the Eagles, and yet another loss, this time to the hated NY Giants. Unlike last week's 28-24 shootout loss to the Seahawks, it was all about the defense today. Neither team scored more than one touchdown, even though both put up over 300 yards of offense. The Eagles defense had another standout day, sacking Eli Manning twice, forcing 2 turnovers, putting together a goal line stand on the Giants first scoring drive, and limiting Brandon Jacobs to just 70 yards rushing and 0 TDs. Unfortunately, they didn't have an answer though for Plaxico Burress, who caught 7 balls for 136 yards and 1 TD, and proved to be the difference on this day. As for the Eagles offense it was about as abysmal as the Eagles defense was good. Donovan Mcnabb was sacked 3 times and limited to just 179 passing yards, as his receivers either couldn't or wouldn't get open for him. The only bright spot for the Eagles offense, was surprise! Brian Westbrook who rushed 20 times for 116 yards and caught 5 balls for 38 yards and 1 TD. As for the game, it actually looked initially as if it would be an Eagles blowout, as they took the opening kickoff and marched down the field on a marvelous drive capped off by an 18 yard pass from Mcnabb to Westbrook for 7-0 lead just 4 minutes into the game. From there, however, the Eagles offensive dissolved into frustration and missed opportunities and never again crossed the goal line for the remainder of the game. Still, by the half NY could only manage a pair of Lawrence Tynes field goals and the Eagles still led 7-6. David Akers made it 10-6 with a 29 yard field goal early in the 3rd quarter. Late in the 3rd, with the Eagles still ahead 10-6, Westbrook procured a rare miscue and fumbled the ball away at his own 39 yard line, after taking a pass from Mcnabb out of the backfield. The Giants took advantage as Eli Manning tossed a 20 yard TD pass to Burress, for a 13-10 Giants lead. Lawrence Tynes than hit a 39 yard field goal for a 16-10 NY lead heading into the 4th quarter. Midway through the 4th quarter Akers made it 16-13 with a 39 yard field goal. Then with about 6 minutes to play NY seemed poised to put the game away as it drove deep into Eagles territory, but Brandon Jacobs fumbled at the Eagles 10 and Philadelphia recovered. They failed to score on the ensuing drive as a 4th and 6 pass from Mcnabb to Jason Avant fell incomplete, after the officials overlooked an obvious pass-interference call. Still, the defense held and the Eagles got the ball back one last time. Mcnabb hit Reggie Brown with a 13 yard pass with 12 seconds to play to the Birds in position for a 57 yard game tying Akers field goal attempt. Although it had the distance it faded to the right at the last moment and clanged off the goalpost, falling harmlessly to ground as Akers despondently sank to his knees. So the Eagles lost 16-13, to drop to 5-8 overall. While they're still mathematically alive in the wildcard playoff race, the odds say they won't be in the playoffs this year after all.