When all else fails, luck prevails for the Giants

By Samuel Groshans  |   Monday, September 18, 2006  |  Comments( 3 )

New York Giants
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They fought back. They showed off that "Giants Pride." They showed a lot of backbone, a lot of nerve. The same clichés are repeated over and over about how the New York Giants stuck around and beat the Philadelphia Eagles this past Sunday, after a 17-point deficit was shoveled onto them.

But, what it really comes down to is this: a collapse and a lot of luck. The Giants didn't so much win that game as the Eagles lost it. With Philly winding down the third quarter 17 points up, it appeared the coffin was sealed and the Giants were heading to a 0-2 hole. It wasn't to be, though, and the biggest collapse of this very early season began with a small, apparently harmless play.

With just a few minutes left in the third quarter and the Eagles driving, Donovan McNabb lined the offense up. He stood behind center casually, letting the clock run down. It appeared in the replays that NY linebacker Antonio Pierce was talking trash with him. McNabb, in retaliation, moved suddenly downwards, as if he were about to take the snap. The entire defense tensed and a few jumped. Whistles and yellow flags quickly ensued; McNabb straightened up as if to say, "What? Me?" Five yards were run off, and the 'Great Collapse' began.

The very next play McNabb handed off to running back Brian Westbrook. Westbrook went up the middle hard, and was hit by two Giants players. Westbrook fumbled, and Will Demps of the Giants recovered. With the score in favor of the Eagles, 24-7, the Giants began their next drive and their luck would kick in.

Eli Manning, who passed for 371 yards and two touchdowns on 31 completions, delivered a beautiful pass to Plaxico Burress down the right sideline. Burress beat one defender and cut to the inside, streaking up the middle. An Eagles safety grabbed the wiry receiver around the waist and arms, and the ball popped out and rolled forward toward the end zone.

The ensuing 20 seconds were complete chaos, and included the Eagles' Michael Lewis recovering--then losing--the loose ball, and ended in Tim Carter's recovery of the fumble in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. It never should have happened. This play should have been the real stake through the Giants' heart, but it wasn't.

The Eagles would not score again, nor would they put any serious drives together. The Giants pulled within a field goal on a terrific pass from Manning to Amani Toomer, and then their luck streak hit again.

Running out of time in the fourth quarter, the Giants were on the verge of once again shooting themselves in the foot. Manning, under heavy pressure--he was wrapped up in a D-lineman's arms--slinged the ball across the middle for all he was worth. Amazingly, the ball landed safely in Tim Carter's arms, and the Giants had a very important first down.

The next event was another sign of the Eagles' massive collapse. Manning completed a pass to Jeremy Shockey, who proceeded to get out of bounds. From there, it was a very long field goal attempt for the shaky Jay Feely. However, a personal foul penalty on Trent Cole--for kicking his opponent--moved the Giants to within a 35-yard field goal. It made the kick much easier for Feely to make. It's to be noted, however, Feely made this kick a close call to send the game into overtime.

A crazy overtime battled ensued, with nearly 10 minutes being run off before the final play. Once again, however, the Giants should thank their lucky stars. Manning, under heavy pressure for the umpteenth time that day, tossed up a jump ball for Plaxico Burress, who had gotten the inside position on Sheldon Brown. He reached out with his long arms, caught the ball and fell into the end zone. Once again, luck had set in; that pass could easily have been intercepted and the game could possibly have ended in a tie, although to be fair, Burress did made a heck of an individual effort on that play.

But the game didn't end in a tie. The Giants won, on that very play. Hey, sometimes it is better to be lucky than good. That being said, the Giants played well--in parts.

But, for the most part, this victory can be accounted to a collapse and a lot of luck. When your "big names" like Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress and Jeremy Shockey are held to minimal yards or opportunities for most of the game, it's hard to win.

Luckily for the Giants, Amani Toomer had a very big game quietly. Toomer was easily the MVP of the game, catching 12 balls for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

The Giants must play better next week or they will be in major trouble. The Eagles collapsed, and they set a standard by doing so. The Giants can take advantage when you become lazy, cocky and prone to mistakes. The Seattle Seahawks, the Giants' next opponent, will be aware of that.

If New York comes out shooting blanks next week, be ready for a long, painful afternoon.

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CommentsComments: 3  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
tele1		08:18 AM
09/19/2006
Nah, it's called "playing the game" or "playing what's in front of you". And that's what the Giants did, especially Eli Manning. ...
No.2
bow2carmine		01:41 PM
09/19/2006
If I was a Giants fan I would be happy about the win and sad that I realized they have no offensive line and defensive life. ...
No.3
Dan		08:43 AM
09/20/2006
This article is the problem with the deluge of sports media--the need to try and be different at the expense of fact. The fact is ...
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