The Birds started out the game They did the same thing in the second half as, Omar Gaither forced a fumble, which was recovered by Eagles defensive tackle Mike Patterson on the Giants 8 yard line.
The Birds wound up settling for a field goal, as Todd Herremans moved early for illegal procedure. McNabb was sacked on first down. He hit Kevin Curtis on a short slant route, then he missed Curtis as he tried to run an out route. Akers made the field goal but the offense can't be happy with the field goal because the got the football on the 8 yard line.
Quintin Mikell has proven again and again that he's capable of being a solid safety in this league. The first two plays of the second half were outstanding plays by Mikell. First he blitzed into the backfield and tackled Brandon Jacobs for no gain. Then Mikell broke a pass intended for Giants tight end Jeremy Shockey.
The Eagles are only 2-8 on third down plays. The Eagles have basically had one drive and that's been it when it comes to moving the football. McNabb and the Eagles aren't turning the ball over but they aren't doing much of a job of moving it.
The Birds defense continues playing well. Cole, Mikell and Dawkins have played outstanding football for the Birds today. A touchdown or two by the Eagles offense would put the Birds in position to win the football game. They're getting pressure on Manning at times, and keeping him off balance.
Brian Westbrook hadn't fumbled in forever, but he coughed one up on a screen play in the third quarter, which gave the Giants great field position.
I think Andy Reid wasted a timeout by contesting that a pass completion to Amani Toomer was a fumble. You could see clearly on the big screen that he was down by contact. The play after the Toomer catch was a touchdown pass from Eli Manning to Plaxico Burress. It was a slant route and Burress beat Eagles cornerback Sheldon Brown.
We seem to be back to a plodding Eagles offense when can't seem to get anything going. McNabb has been pressured and sacked while trying to find his receivers. The saga will start up again. Is the problem McNabb or is it his receivers? There's no question that A.J. Feeley was letting the ball go sooner but you can't afford the mistakes he was making.
The Eagles defense hasn't played as well in the second half but other than the Burress slant route, they've been able to keep the Giants out of the endzone. The Giants have been stopped three times, inside the Eagles ten yard line. New York can't be happy about that. The Birds will try to put together some offense to take back the lead.
Brian Westbrook continued his wizardry, as he turns invisible when he needs to do so. The Birds made a key first down on a fourth down quarterback sneak by McNabb. The Giants also helped the Birds out with an offsides penalty on 3rd down. The Eagles were able to put another three points on the scoreboard.
