PLAY OF THE GAME:
For most of the day the Giants were solid enough on defense to win most games, as they completely snuffed out Brian Westbrook (18-36) and despite some breakdowns limited Donovan McNabb to a quarterback rating of 58. But one play on defense killed the Giants.
John Carney’s 36-yard field goal had just given the Giants an 11-10 lead in the third quarter and after a McNabb incomplete pass and a holding penalty the Eagles faced a third-and-20 from their own 15-yard line. The Giants Stadium crowd was in a towel-waving frenzy and the momentum was turning when McNabb was flushed out of the pocket by Mathias Kiwanuka.
McNabb scrambled out of trouble and then threw across his body over the middle to Jason Avant, who made the catch and then lunged the last few yards for a 21-yard completion and the first down. The Eagles ended up with a field goal on that drive to take the lead for good.
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“You can’t even fathom not continuing to play,” center Shaun O’Hara said. “After the season we had last year, having so much fun with that, you work all season long to get to the point we’re at right now, to have it taken away right now is the worst feeling ever.”
BREAKDOWN:
The cracks the Giants were showing down the stretch of the season, as they lost three of their final four games after an 11-1 start, all came to the surface to add up to a devastating loss.
The lack of a pass rush has been evident for months and once again, the Giants failed to get a single sack of Donovan McNabb. That’s been the case all three times the Giants played the Eagles this season, no sacks of McNabb. The passing game has also taken a nose-dive late in the season and it was terrible in this elimination game.
Eli Manning could not get untracked, completing only 15 of 29 passes for 169 yards and two interceptions. His first interception was a terrible throw right at CB Asante Samuel, who returned it to the Giants 2-yard line to gift-wrap the Eagles’ first touchdown and give them a 7-3 lead.
UP NEXT:
The off-season. There are big decisions to be made, with free agency looming for Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward, Amani Toomer and James Butler. There’s also a decision to be made regarding Plaxico Burress. General manager Jerry Reese did not rule out bringing the troubled but talented receiver back, as long as all of Burress’ issues are resolved.