Eagles & Giants for a 3rd Time

MVP Eli Manning of the New York Giants and coach Tom Coughlin celebrate after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona 03 February 2008. The Giants won 17-14. AFP PHOTO/Timothy A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants Square Off for the 3rd Time this Season

The top-seeded New York Giants (12-4), champions of the NFC East, face their division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles (10-6-1), for the third time this season with a berth in the NFC Championship Game on the line.

The Giants are 7-1 at home this season while the Eagles are 4-4-1 on the road, including their 26-14 Wild Card victory over the Vikings last week in Minnesota.

The Giants lost to the Vikings in Minnesota 20-19 in their regular season finale. The Eagles have now won 5 of their last 6 while the Giants have lost 3 of their last 4 after an 11-1 start.

It seems only fitting that the Giants begin their 2008 playoff journey against against division-rival Philadelphia.

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants - Saturday, CBS 4:30PM ET

The defending Super Bowl champs lost only one home game this season: 20-14 to the Eagles (December 7, 2008). And that game somewhat mirrored Philadelphia's Wild Card victory over the Vikings last Sunday.

On Sunday, Eagles RB Brian Westbrook caught an outlet pass and took it 71 yards for a touchdown against Minnesota. In the December 7 game against the Giants, Westbrook had a 30-yard TD run and a 40-yard score off a swing pass similar to Sunday's.

"He's an elite player," says Giants LB Antonio Pierce. "You have to know where he is."

Not only an elite player, but one of the NFL's toughest and most electrifying running backs, Brian Westbrook battled through injuries in 2008, but still managed to play at a high level, scoring 14 TDs in 14 games and leading the team with 1,338 scrimmage yards. Westbrook finished tied for the 4th most TDs in the NFL. In addition to the two TD scores against the Giants in the last matchup, Westbrook also rushed for 131 yards on 33 carries. In his last 10 regular season games against the Giants, Brian Westbrook has posted 13 TDs and 1,429 combined net yards.

Of course, the Giants are far from lacking in the run game that may be needed on a cold January Sunday. The Giants led the NFL in rushing with Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward each reaching 1,000 yards -- only the fourth RB duo in history to do so. If Jacobs (knee) is limited, Ward can more than take up the slack (356 yards in his last three games).

Both teams are led by very capable quarterbacks as well.

In 2008, QB Eli Manning started all 16 games and was selected to his first Pro Bowl. Manning completed 289 of 479 passes for 3,238 yards, 21 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season, making him the first Giants quarterback in history to both throw for 3,000 yards and throw 20 touchdown passes in four consecutive seasons. Eli had a career-high passer rating of 86.4 this season and also rushed 20 times for 10 yards and a touchdown.

Coincidentally, the Giants and Indianapolis Colts are the only teams to make the playoffs each of the last four years. Or, put another way, Eli and Peyton Manning are the only quarterbacks to lead their teams to the playoffs in each of the last four seasons. The Colts, who lost Saturday night in the Wild Card round to the Chargers, have made the playoffs seven consecutive years.

This season, Donovan McNabb set single-season Eagles team records in completions (345) and yards (3,916). Over his last 21 starts, McNabb has engineered a 14-7-1 record. McNabb finished 7th in passing yards.

One of the aspects of McNabb's game that has made him such a successful quarterback is his ability to limit interceptions, while never shying away from making the big play. During the course of his career, McNabb has one of the best TD/INT ratios (2.16 194 TDs / 90 INTs) in NFL history, as well as one of the lowest interception percentages. Through the years, McNabb has consistently been one of the highest rated QBs in the red zone, boasting a 94.9 QB rtg., which is 5th-best in the NFL among active QBs with over 300 attempts. Since 2000, McNabb has engineered 385 drives into opponents red zones, averaging 5.0 points per trip, while only turning the ball over 5.0% of the time. Since 2007, McNabb has thrown 30 TDs and 4 INTs in the red zone.

Last season, the Giants won three road games as the NFC's fifth seed en route to their Super Bowl XLII triumph last season, but as the top seed in the NFC this year, they have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. The Giants are only the fourth Super Bowl champion to be ranked as the top seed in the following year's playoffs since the NFL moved to six playoff participants per conference in 1990.

This season, the Eagles need two more road wins as the NFC's sixth seed en route to Super Bowl XIII.

Series: Giants Hold Edge over Eagles with 79-67-2 Record

In a series that started in 1933, the Giants hold a 79-67-2 advantage against Philadelphia in the regular season.

This will be the fourth postseason meeting between the two teams. The Giants lead the postseason series, 2-1.

The Giants and Eagles each won on the other's home field this season. On Nov. 9, the Giants earned a 36-31 victory in Philadelphia. The Eagles evened the score on Dec. 7 with a 20-14 victory at Giants Stadium.

The two teams last met in the playoffs in an NFC Wild Card Game on Jan. 7, 2007 in Philadelphia. A David Akers 38-yard field goal as time expired gave the Eagles a 23-20 victory. The Giants won their previous two postseason games against the Eagles. On January 7, 2000, the Giants defeated Philadelphia, 20-10, in a Divisional Playoff game on their way to Super Bowl XXXV.

The Giants are 16-18 against the Eagles in Giants Stadium, including 1-0 in the playoffs.

NFL 2008 November 9, 2008: New York Giants 36, Philadelphia Eagles 31

In an exciting back-and-forth game in Philadelphia, the Giants held off the Eagles, 36-31. The Giants dominated the game statistically, outgaining the Eagles, 401-300, including 219-106 on the ground, and owning sizeable advantages in first downs (26-17) and time of possession (39:10-20:50).

The game's key moments were three replay challenges, all of which went the Giants' way, and Chase Blackburn's tackle of Brian Westbrook on fourth-and-one with 1:47 remaining that effectively clinched the game.

Eli Manning threw touchdown passes to Plaxico Burress and Kevin Boss, Brandon Jacobs ran for two more scores and John Carney kicked field goals of 27, 26 and 28 yards for the Giants.

For Philadelphia, rookie DeSean Jackson scored on a nine-yard run, Donovan McNabb threw touchdown passes of 10 yards to Jason Avant, seven yards Hank Baskett and two yards to Kevin Curtis, and David Akers kicked a 29-yard field goal.

The game turned in the Giants' favor with 6:18 remaining in the third quarter and the visitors trailing, 24-20, following an Eagles touchdown on the opening possession of the second half. The Giants had moved from their own 31 to the Philadelphia 20, where they faced a third-and-10. Manning completed a 17-yard pass to Boss that appeared to give the Giants a first-and-goal at the three. But Manning was penalized for an illegal forward pass, because an official ruled he had released the ball beyond the line of scrimmage. The infraction would have pushed the Giants back and forced them to attempt a field goal.

But Coughlin, with his coaches upstairs and Manning urging him on, challenged the call. After review, referee Terry McAulay said Manning's back foot was behind the line of scrimmage and upheld the completion. Two plays later, Jacobs scored a touchdown on a three-yard run that gave the Giants a lead they would never relinquish at 27-24.

The Giants took their three-point lead into the fourth quarter. Carney's 28-yard field goal with 13:28 remaining in the game increased the Giants' lead to 30-24. But the Giants were unable to score from in close, this time after having a first-and-goal at the seven.

After the defense forced Philly into a three-and-out, the Giants' offense again went to work and thanks to two unsuccessful Eagles challenges, took their lead.

Jacobs' second touchdown on a three-yard run extended the Giants' advantage to 36-24 with 9:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. The two-point conversion try failed. It was Jacobs' ninth rushing touchdown of the season.

The Giants drove 40 yards in five plays following Domenik Hixon's 43-yard punt return -- which would have been a 73-yard touchdown if Michael Johnson hadn't been penalized for holding.

On the first play of the drive, Bradshaw ran for 23 yards. After a loss of two yards and a defensive offside penalty, things got weird as Philadelphia coach Andy Reid lost replay challenges on consecutive plays -- including Jacobs' touchdown.

First, Jacobs ran six yards up the middle to the three before fumbling. The officials said he was down by contact. Reid challenged, but after review, McAulay said Jacobs' elbow was down before he fumbled and upheld the call on the field.

On the next play, Jacobs' run was ruled a touchdown. But he again lost the ball, this time very close to the goal line. Reid again challenged, saying Jacobs fumbled before reaching the end zone. McAulay again upheld the call on the field and the touchdown stood.

But on the two-point conversion try, Manning's pass to Burress sailed incomplete.

The Eagles responded with a 10-play, 71-yard drive that ended with McNabb's touchdown pass to Curtis, which pulled the Eagles to within 36-31 with 5:30 remaining in the game. On fourth-and-goal from the two, McNabb moved right, then fired a strike to Curtis, who found an opening in the back of the end zone.

The Giants then came up a yard short of a first down and had to punt. Philly took possession at its own 14 with 3:14 remaining and a chance to win the game. On third-and-three from the 43 they gave the ball to their terrific back, Brian Westbrook. He gained two yards, setting up a fourth-and-one. Again they handed the ball to Westbrook. But Chase Blackburn came charging through the line and stopped Westbrook for no gain. The Eagles never again saw the ball.

Baskett's touchdown with 11:24 remaining in the third quarter gave the Eagles the lead for the second time at 24-20. Akers' 29-yard field goal on the final play of the second quarter lifted the Eagles to within 20-17 at halftime. McNabb threw an incomplete pass to Curtis before Akers added three points to the Eagles' total as time expired.

Carney's second field goal, a 26-yarder with 1:49 remaining in the second quarter, increased the Giants' lead to 20-14. The score was set up by Sam extensive action because Corey Webster suffered a groin injury, returned the ball 21 yards to the Eagles' 14-yard line.

Avant's touchdown pulled the Eagles to within 17-14 with 4:01 remaining in the second quarter.

Philadelphia gained possession when Chris Cocong's smashing hit on Jacobs jarred loose the ball, which was recovered at the Giants' 44-yard line by defensive tackle Mike Patterson, who had earlier intercepted a Mannin g pass.

Boss made a terrific diving catch of a Manning pass on the first play of the second quarter to give the Giants a 17-7 lead. The touchdown successfully concluded the Giants' second 10-play, 80-yard drive of the early going. This series included Manning passes of 20, 10 and 10 yards to Toomer -- the latter to the doorstep of the end zone -- and 14 yards to Ward.

Manning's 17-yard touchdown pass to Burress on a third-and-nine play tied the score at 7-7 with 8:21 remaining in the first quarter. A Giants takeaway on the ensuing kickoff led to Carney's 27-yard field goal and a 10-7 Giants lead.

Bradshaw forced a Quintin Demps fumble that was recovered by Blackburn and returned 12 yards to the Philadelphia 13-yard line. But after two runs gained four yards, Madison Hedgecock couldn't secure Manning's third-down pass and Carney came on to kick the field goal with 6:45 remaining in the first quarter.

The Eagles took a 7-0 lead just 1:42 into the game when the rookie wide receiver Jackson scored on a 10-yard run. Jackson lined up as a quarterback in the shotgun, took the snap from center and sprinted around right end. From the three-yard line, he dove and stretched his arms over the goal line just inside the pylon.

Philadelphia had to travel just 12 yards for the score after Patterson intercepted Manning's second pass -- on the game's third snap. Manning's throw hit Patterson's hands and helmet before the defender secured it and ran 21 yards to the nine, where he was tackled by Jacobs. The Eagles scored two plays later.

NFL 2008 December 7, 2008: Philadelphia Eagles 20, New York Giants 14

The New York Giants were handed a 20-14 loss by the Philadelphia Eagles at home suffering only their second loss this NFL 2008 season.

Eli Manning completed 13-of-27 passes for 123 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions to lead the Giants offense. Steve Smith led the Giants with four receptions for 47 yards, while Brandon Jacobs added 52 yards on 10 carries on the ground.

The Eagles scored the first 10 points of the game and held the Giants scoreless until a blocked field goal by New York was returned 71 yards by Kevin Dockery for a score. Dockery's return came as the first half ended, thus cutting the Eagles lead to 10-7.

Both teams were able to tack on points in the third quarter, before the Eagles scored 10 unanswered points early in the fourth quarter to take a 20-7 lead with only minutes remaining. The Giants scored once more on their final drive when Manning threw a one-yard touchdown to Darcy Johnson cutting the Eagles lead to 20-14.

After the Giants onside kick attempt failed on the ensuing kickoff, the Philadelphia Eagles were able to run off the remaining time on the clock and secure the 20-14 win.

The Giants had won seven consecutive games, including six in a row against teams with winning records. New York suffered its first loas at home (6-1) and in the NFC East (4-1) division.

Despite the loss, the Giants claimed the NFC East title as Dallas was defeated by the Steelers in Pittsburgh, 20-13.

The NFL's highest-scoring team couldn't score, as the Giants scored their only TD on offense with 15 seconds remaining in the game. The Giants running attack was limited to only 88 yards (72 yards less than their per-game average). The Giants, second in the NFL in time of possession, held the ball on offense for only 25:06.

Brian Westbrook of the Eagles ran for 131 yards. The Giants had not allowed a 100-yard rusher in 14 straight games.

The game ended a tumultuous week in which wide receiver Plaxico Burress was suspended and placed on the reserve/nonfootball injury list after he was wounded in an accidental shooting. Linebacker Antonio Pierce has also been involved in the investigation.

The Giants had season-low totals of 211 yards and 14 first downs. New York converted only three of 11 third down opportunities and went zero-for-three on fourth down. Manning completed less than half of his passes (13 of 27, 48.1 percent) for the first time this year, though at least three of his throws were dropped.

Philadelphia's Brian Westbrook gained 203 yards from scrimmage (131 yards on 33 rushing attempts and 72 yards on six catches). Westbrook scored both Eagles touchdowns (30-yard run in the second quarter and a 40-yard reception in fourth). David Akers also kicked two field goals (51, 34 yards) as the Eagles improved to 7-5-1.

Philadelphia Eagles Game Notes

  • This is the 36th postseason game for the Eagles. Under head coach ANDY REID, the Eagles have advanced to the Divisional round 7 times in 10 seasons, more than any other NFL team in that span.
  • In 2008, the Eagles scored 416 points, most in franchise history (415, 2002).
  • Eagles had 2 players selected to Pro Bowl: S BRIAN DAWKINS (7th) & CB ASANTE SAMUEL (2nd)
  • QB DONOVAN MC NABB had 300 yards last week & aims for 3rd straight playoff game with 300-plus yards. McNabb passed for an Eagles franchise-record 3,916 yards this season. Has started 13 postseason games & has 8 wins, most in club history.
  • McNabb holds team playoff records in completions (272), attempts (453), yards (2,930) & touchdowns (19).
  • McNabb has taken the Eagles to 4 NFC Championship Games & Super Bowl XXXIX.
  • In McNabb starts (min. 10-plus attempts) with 100.0-plus rating (including playoffs), the Eagles are 40-1 (.976).
  • In 15 career starts vs. the New York Giants (including playoffs), McNabb has passed for 21 touchdowns vs. 6 interceptions
  • RB BRIAN WESTBROOK had 71-yard TD reception last week, 2nd longest in team playoff history & 3rd longest catch by RB in NFL postseason since 1970. Aims for 5th straight postseason game with TD. Has 6 career playoff touchdowns, tied for most in team history. Westbrook compiled 1,338 scrimmage yards (936 rush, 402 receiving), his 5th straight season with 1,200-plus scrimmage yards and is the only player since 2004 with 4,000-plus rush (4,915) & 3,000-plus receiving (3,191) yards. Westbrook is also only the player since 2004 with 20-plus rush (29) & receiving (24) touchdowns. Westbrook has 7 touchdowns (5 rush, 2 receiving) in past 6 games against the New York Giants and has rushed for 100-plus yards in 3 of past 4 meetings
  • WR-PR DE SEAN JACKSON led NFC rookies with 912 receiving yards & ranked 2nd with team-high 62 catches this season. Jackson had 109 punt return yards last week, most by an Eagle in a playoff game. Had long of 62 yards, longest in team postseason history since 1947.
  • WR JASON AVANT had 5 catches last week & 4 went for 1st downs. TE BRENT CELEK led team with 6 catches (56 yards) last week
  • S Dawkins ranks 2nd in team history with 4 postseason interceptions (HERMAN EDWARDS, 5). His 7 Pro Bowl selections tie Hall of Famer REGGIE WHITE for 2nd in club annals (Hall of Famer CHUCK BEDNARIK, 8). Has played in franchise-record 16 postseason games. CB Samuel had 44-yard INT-TD last week, his NFL-record 4th postseason INT-TD. Has played in 15 playoff games & his teams are 12-3 (.800), including 2 Super Bowl wins. Has 6 interceptions (4 INT-TDs) in past 9 postseason games. Has 202 interception return yards, most in NFL playoff history.
  • DE TRENT COLE has 21.5 sacks in past 33. In 9 career meetings (including playoffs), Cole has 7.0 sacks & 19-yard INT-TD. Has 3 games vs. the New York Giants with 2.0 sacks
  • K DAVID AKERS is Eagles franchise leader with 110 points & 25 FGs in postseason. Tied team playoff record with 4 FGs last week. His 25 career postseason FGs rank 3rd in NFL history.

New York Giants Game Notes

  • The Giants make their 30th postseason appearance, most in NFL history.
  • Giants finished 12-4 to win NFC East and have homefield advantage throughout playoffs. Team was 7-1 (.875) at home.
  • Giants are 4th defending Super Bowl champion with 12-plus wins in following season.
  • Team tied for most NFC Pro Bowl selections with 6: K JOHN CARNEY (2nd), P JEFF FEAGLES (2nd), QB ELI MANNING (1st), C SHAUN O'HARA (1st), G CHRIS SNEE (1st) & DE JUSTIN TUCK (1st).
  • Head coach TOM COUGHLIN is 8-6 (.571) in postseason career.
  • Defensive coordinator STEVE SPAGNUOLO spent 8 years (1999-2006) with the Eagles before joining the New York Giants
  • QB Eli Manning went 4-0, completing 72 of 119 (60.5 pct.) for 854 yards with 6 touchdowns vs. 1 interception for 95.7 passer rating in last year's playoffs and was named Super Bowl XLII MVP.
  • Including postseason, Manning has won 26 of past 34 starts. Has 1,128 postseason passing yards in career, 2nd most in team history (PHIL SIMMS, 1,679). Has won 3 of past 4 starts vs. Eagles
  • The Giants offense led the NFL averaging 157.4 rush yards per game. RBs BRANDON JACOBS (1,089) & DERRICK WARD (1,025) are 4th set of RB teammates to each rush for 1,000-plus yards in season. Jacobs rushed for 15 touchdowns, including 11 at home. Has rush TD in 3 of past 4 playoff games. When Jacobs has 10-plus carries (including playoffs), Giants are 25-5 (.833). When he has 100-plus rush yards, team is 8-1 (.889). Rushed for 126 yards & 2 touchdowns in Week 10. Ward led NFL averaging 5.6 yards per carry & Jacobs ranked 3rd (5.0)
  • WR STEVE SMITH led team this season with career-high 57 catches and had 14 receptions in last year's postseason. Including playoffs, New York has won 9 in row when WR AMANI TOOMER has TD catch. Toomer is team postseason leader in catches (42), receiving yards (582) & receiving touchdowns (7). Ties for NFL playoff record with 3 receiving touchdowns in game (1/5/03 vs. SF). Had career-high 12 catches vs. the Eagles (9/17/06) & had 137 yards & 2 touchdowns. TE KEVIN BOSS led club with career-high 6 TD catches. Had career-long 45-yard reception in Super Bowl XLII. Had career-best 6 catches & 69 yards (1 TD) in Week 10. WR DOMENIK HIXON had career-high 43 catches & 596 yards
  • Giants led NFC with +9 turnover differential (22 takeaways, 13 giveaways).
  • LB ANTONIO PIERCE led team in tackles. DE Tuck had career-high 12.0 sacks, 2nd straight season with 10.0-plus sacks. In past 17 games (including Super Bowl XLII), Tuck has 14.0 sacks. When Tuck has sack (including playoffs), Giants are 13-3 (.813). Team has won 8 in row when Tuck has sack. Had 1st career 2.0-sack game vs. Eagles (9/30/07) & Giants are perfect 6-0 when Tuck has 2.0-plus sacks (including playoffs). DE MATHIAS KIWANUKA had 1st career 3.0-sack game vs. the Eagles (9/30/07).
  • CB COREY WEBSTER had 2 interceptions in last season's playoffs. Tied for team lead with 3 interceptions along with S JAMES BUTLER & CB AARON ROSS. Webster had FF in last meeting
  • K Carney has converted 9 of 10 (90.0 pct.) FGs in postseason career.

PREDICTION: New York Giants 24, Philadelphia Eagles 14

Two well-coached teams, each with a well-balanced offense and superb defenses. The difference in this game is that the Giants are healthy and rested, plus there's no saga hanging over their heads this time. It is safe to assume, then, that the Giants are physically and mentally focused on this game and ready to execute.

The Eagles earned the win in December, but for a few dropped passes by the Giants' receivers the tone and eventual outcome of the game might have been different.

Yes, the Giants have lost 3 out of their last 4, but they won the game against the Panthers which in the grand scheme of things -- aka home-field advantage and a shot at another Super Bowl -- the Giants won the game that mattered.

The Eagles have had a spectacular run in December and January, but this time Brian Westbrook's knee injury may have come at the wrong time. Expect Westbrook to play on Sunday even though he did not participate in practice on Wednesday and Thursday, but he may not be 100 percent.

NFL Playoffs - Eagles & Giants for a 3rd Time | NFL 2008