New York Giants Football Fan Commentary and News

Giants Vs Eagles Running Diary

I figured I’d try a little something different. Below is a running diary of last night’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles. It’s not minute by minute, but pretty damn close.

Pre Kick-off

The Sunday Night Football theme song is about halfway through. Is it just me or is Faith Hill starting to look like a dude. I should go get a beer while this thing wraps up.

First Quarter

8:18 PM ET
New Jersey. Meadow Lands. I’m just too damned excited for this game… Wait, what!? Brian Westbrook isn’t playing tonight? Hot Damn!

8:24
Akers to kick off to Reuben Droughns… downed in the end zone for a touchback. Giants start the game at the 20.

8:26
Ugh… that’s a horrible stat: 20 sacks, 8 interceptions for the Philly defense when playing against Eli Manning. And after that on-screen graphic, we punt — and almost get the ball back on a fumble. Man, I thought Pierce had that thing.

8:31
Giants defense looks awesome so far. Only 3 minutes into the game and we have our first sack, and a near miss.

8:36
Man, I’m liking the way Derrick Ward runs, but he scares the living hell out of me sometimes with that ball flying around in his hands. Toomer has 2 catches in a row after one drop.

8:38
Burress didn’t drop the first pass thrown to him. That’s gotta be a good sign.

8:42
Giant’s field goal attempt after Droughns is stuffed on 3rd and 1… and… wide right… lovely.

8:45
Eagles have the ball after the missed field goal, Buckhalter looks too good after 2 big runs. Finally stuffed on his third attempt. It looks like Philly is setting up the play action… and on 3rd & 2 they run again… this is why I’m not a coach.

8:49
Oh Man! Osi Umenyiora with a huge sack on 3rd & 10.

8:50
Now that was a scary fair catch. I’m not sure who was blocking in front of McQuarters, but he almost backed into the ball.

8:52
Ugh. Elie sacked relatively quickly on 1st down.

Second Quarter

8:57
The Giants start off the 2nd quarter going big, just off Plaxico’s fingers.

9:03
After the punt, the Eagles have it at about the 25. McNabb goes huge and over throws badly.

9:04
Osi tallies up his second sack of the game. That dude has a hell of a pursuit speed.

9:08
Giants have the ball and two more big catches (4 total for the night already) in a row for Toomer.

9:10
I love the fact that Plaxico is so tall — he just sticks his arms up and can pull down that touchdown like it’s nothing. 7-0 Giants.

9:13
J.R. Reid returns the ensuing kickoff to the 32, but loses 10 yards due to a holding call. Bonus.

9:14
Just a quick note on this commercial break since another Wendy’s spot popped up. Dave Thomas has got to be rolling in his grave right now with these strange ass advertisements for his company. They’re just plain bizarre.

9:16
And we’re back to the game with Buckhalter getting stuffed up the middle on 1st down.

9:17
After a false start on his part, Mcnabb completes his first pass of the game.

9:18
Crap! We almost got our fourth sack of the game. Mcnabb completes for first down.

9:20
Strahan beats Runyan and sacks McNabb for a three yard loss, making him the all time sack leader for the NY Giants, passing the immortal Lawrence Taylor (seen nodding with approval on the sided line).

9:22
The Eagles are looking more together than they were in the first quarter. They are moving well against the Giants at the moment. Al Michaels just announced that Buckhalter already has 69 yards on 10 carries. Ouch.

9:27
I think I’d probably wet myself if I saw Antonio Pierce sprinting at me like he did on that batted pass place against McNabb. Seriously.

9:28
Fourth and eight yards to go. Akers comes out to attempt a field goal. He is 4-9 in his career at Giants Stadium. Sorry. Make that 4-10.

9:30
Giants take over at their own 31 yard line after that Akers’ miss. Hmm…. my beer is getting low and I’ve missed my opportunity at that last commercial break. Crap — the hazards of fandom.

9:31
Big run from Ward plus 15 for a face mask penalty. I really like what this kid is doing with his runs.

9:33
The two minute warning for the first half and I’m off to hunt down a tasty beverage. Mmm… beer.

9:38
Sonofabitch! I was just about to comment on Eli’s maturation with that staggered cadence to draw the defense offside, but he just threw an interception. Whether that was his fault of Shockey for a poor route, I don’t know. Crap.

9:39
More great pressure on McNabb. He tries to take off but is taken down just after the line of scrimmage. The defense is looking pretty damned sharp.

9:30
Thirty three seconds and the Eagles are starting to self-destruct a bit with penalties — 10 so far in the game.

9:42
At this point, I’m ready to ornate Osi my new king. Three sacks and one forced fumble. This dude is a stud.

Halftime

Key Giants’ stats so far for the game:

• 5 sacks for the Giants defense (3 for Osi)
• Eli Manning: 11/17 113 yards 1 TD 1 INT
• Derek Ward: 9 carries for 43 yards
• Amani Toomer: 4 catches for 54 yards
• 0 injuries

And congrats to Brett Favre for breaking Dan Marino’s all time touchdown record. It couldn’t have happened to a better man. Even when he’s beating you, his enthusiasm makes him a joy to watch.

Third Quarter

9:58
The second half starts with the Giants kicking off to Philadelphia. JR Reid fumbles it briefly at the goal line before sprinting up to the 24 and getting popped hard. Kick returners are nuts.

10:00
Sack by Kiwanuka — three and out for the Eagles.

10:04
Sweet. Another 15 yard face mask penalty on the Eagles. Thanks for the first down boys.

10:07
What the hell was that? Eli tried a quick out to Plaxico on 3rd and ten, but was no where near him. Feagles punts and Cory Webster downs the ball at the one yard line. Bring it on McNabb.

10:10
Best quote of the night on a media clip from Michael Strahan. After complimenting Philadelphia Eagles John Runyan as a force on the offense line he pulls out “I own John Runyan” and flashes that trademark Strahan smile. Beautiful.

10:11
Osi gets his fourth sack of the night. And nearly gets him for his fifth on the subsequent play in the end zone.

10:14
After the Eagles punt and the return by McQuarters, the Giants start their next position on the Eagles’ 42 yard line.

10:15
Still no catches for Jeremy Shockey with 8:50 left in the third quarter.

10:16
After a missed connection with Toomer, the Giants punt and down it within the five yard line.

10:19
TV stat of the night: Eagles total yardage 85. Eagles penalty yards 85. Wow.

10:21
Kiwanuka beats his man off the line and rounds back to snag Mcnabb with his 2nd sack of the night. That’s 8 for the Giants so far tonight. Is that Spagnuolo’s doing or are the Giants just on there game?

10:25
Shockey gets his first catch and run. Man, I can’t get enough of him rolling over defenders.

10:26
Oh yeah! Big pass interference call on the Eagles trying to defend Toomer down the field. Giants get the ball on the 10 yard line. First and goal.

10:28
Two poor plays (a bad run and missed throw) bring us to 3rd and goal. Keep your fingers crossed.

10:29
Alright, which one of you slackers didn’t have your fingers crossed. At least Tynes hit’s the field goal this time. 10-0 Giants.

10:33
Eagles fumble and there’s a bit of a scramble. It’s picked up by Mitchell and returned for a touchdown, which is currently under review after a challenge from Philadelphia. Looks as though they are challenging whether Mitchell was down by contact prior to running it back for 6 points. Hmmm… based on the reviews from the telecast, it looks like they may have a case, but it’s a tough call.

10:36
TOUCHDOWN! Ruling on the field stands. Well, Tynes missed the upright so it’s 16-0 Giants.

10:39
Philadelphia starts off the possession with a completion for 9 yards and another to reach the first down marker.

10:40
The third quarter ends with McNabb completing his third in a row for another first down.

Fourth Quarter

10:44
Looks like the Eagles finally woke up. They are moving the ball too well against the Giants defense.

10:47
Aaron Ross just jacked McNabb causing an incomplete pass.

10:48
Justin Tuck just chalked up sack #9 for the Giants tonight. N-i-n-e sacks.

10:51
Akers knocks in the field goal. 16-3 Giants.

10:53
Kickoff lands in Droughn’s hands and he takes it to the 33 yard line.

10:56
After a false start and a missed 3rd down conversion, the Giants punt to Reno Mahe, who fair catches it. Well I hope that last possession wasn’t an indication of the Giants taking it easy the rest of the game. The play calling wasn’t as aggressive as it has been.

11:00
GAH! Mitchell just dropped a sure interception. I can’t be too hard on the dude, of course, since he’s got a defensive touchdown.

11:01
Sacks 10 and 11 tallied on consecutive plays. Osi now has uhm… hell I’ve lost count. He has set the team record for sacks in a single game with 5.

11:05
Watching Ward run, I’m almost thinking that it’s going to be tough to bring Jacobs back as the the starter. Ward can make the cut, move the pile and break for a large run.

11:07
Well the Giants seem to be struggling a bit on offense so they end up punting again.

11:09
McNabb scrambles a bit to avoid pressure and nearly tosses an interception.

11:12
Philadelphia is moving the ball well at the moment. McNabb is finally starting to get some protection and time to throw. And now they’re down to the Giants’ 16 yard line.

11:13
Finally, the Giants break free from their cement shoes and get Buckhalter for a short loss. Tuck walks off the field after being checked out by medical staff.

11:16
An illegal forward pass with McNabb pass the line of scrimmage keeps the the Eagles off the board with a touchdown. Phew.

11:18
Osi tallies up another sack, making it 6 in a single game, giving the Giants 12 for the game tying the NFL record for sacks by one team in a single game. That makes three records tied and or broken in tonight’s game — that’s gotta be a record.

11:21
The two minute warning expires with the Giants on their own 40 with a 3rd and 1. First down run by Reuben Droughns.

11:23
And now the sit downs can begin. The Giants kneel out the clock to run out the last 1:20 of the game and their second win of the season.

Final

Final score 16-3 Giants. It’s time for me to go to bed.