Miracle at the New Meadowlands
Encyclopedia
The Miracle at the New Meadowlandsalso called "New Miracle at the New Meadowlands and "Miracle at the Meadowlands III" is the term used by sportscasters and Philadelphia Eagles
fans to refer to an improbable come-from-behind win by the Philadelphia Eagles
over the New York Giants
on December 19, 2010 at New Meadowlands Stadium
. The Eagles had been badly outplayed by the Giants for the first three quarters and trailed by 21 points with under eight minutes to play. They went on to score four unanswered touchdowns in the final seven minutes and 28 seconds of play. The final score to win the game, 38–31, came off a punt returned for a touchdown by DeSean Jackson
as time expired. Jackson became the first player in NFL history to achieve a walk-off punt return touchdown. The game ranked at #1 among the top 20 games of the 2010 NFL regular season.
The Eagles offense took the field for the first time, with the ball spotted at their own 29 yard line. After an incomplete pass, QB Michael Vick
threw a pass intended for WR DeSean Jackson
, but it was picked off by CB Corey Webster
who returned it to the Philadelphia 42 yard line. The Giants were unable to capitalize on the turnover, as LB Moise Fokou
sacked QB Eli Manning
putting them out of field goal range and forcing them to punt.
After the Eagles failed to get anything going on the ensuing drive, the Giants put together a 71-yard scoring drive that ended with Manning finding WR Mario Manningham
for a 35-yard touchdown pass to put the Giants on the board, leading 7–0.
Near the end of the quarter S Quintin Mikell
picked off Manning's pass to WR Derek Hagan
and ran it back to the Giants 45-yard line. The final play of the first quarter resulted in a run by Vick for 11 yards and a personal foul called on T Jonathan Goff
which moved the ball to the Giants' 19-yard line.
, forcing Philadelphia to settle for a 34-yard field goal from K David Akers
.
The Giants received the ball and started at their own 21 yard line, whereupon they put together a 8-play, 79-yard drive. RB Ahmad Bradshaw
ran three times for 24 yards. The drive ended on Manning's second touchdown pass to Manningham, this one for 33 yards putting the Giants in the driver's seat, 14–3.
The Giants once again stopped the Eagles on their next drive and received the ball. Two passes to Hagan for 27 yards and 11-yard run by Bradshaw helped the Giants get to the Eagles 7-yard line. The Giants were unable to score on third down because of an incomplete pass to TE Kevin Boss
. The Giants settled for a 25-yard field goal from K Lawrence Tynes
to make the score 17–3.
The Eagles tried to get something going on the next drive and it appeared they did when Vick found WR Jeremy Maclin
, but the ball came loose before he hit the ground. S Kenny Phillips
recovered it and ran it to the Philadelphia 8-yard line. The Eagles called a timeout to try and get the replay assistant to take a look at the play since it was now under two minutes in the half, but the play was reviewed and it was determined to be a fumble. The Giants took advantage of this and on the next play, Manning found WR Hakeem Nicks
for an 8-yard touchdown pass putting the Giants in total control at halftime 24–3.
forced them to punt.
On the next drive, Manning found Manningham but the ball came loose and DT Mike Patterson recovered it for the Eagles on the Giants 25-yard line. After a run and a pass, Vick threw a 8-yard touchdown pass to Maclin to make the score 24–10 and keep the Eagles in the game.
neglected to challenge the call on the field and the Giants took possession. On third down and 4 from the Eagles' 8-yard line, Manning hit Boss in the back of the end zone to give the Giants a 31-10 lead with 8:17 remaining in the game.
After opening up the next drive with a pass to Maclin that brought the Eagles to their own 35-yard line, Vick dropped back and completed a pass downfield to Celek, who blew by a missed tackle from Phillips and made his way into the end zone for a 65-yard touchdown that brought the score to 31-17 with 7:28 left in the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, after both teams lined up in regular kickoff formations, Akers placed an onside kick on the left side of the field, which was caught by WR Riley Cooper and advanced to the Eagles' 43-yard line. Particularly noteworthy about the play was the fact that the Eagles only had 10 men on the field - four to Akers' right and five to his left — and that the Giants' front line of blockers on the return was lined up 15 yards away from the tee, rather than the usual 10. It was unclear whether the Eagles intentionally had only 10 men on the field, as Giants special teams captain Chase Blackburn
stated after the game that he believed it was on purpose. On the second play of the ensuing drive, Vick escaped a New York blitz and rushed all the way down to the Giants' six-yard line. After two incomplete passes, with an offsides on Tuck in between, Vick ran the ball into the end zone on third and goal from the four-yard line, making the score 31-24 with 5:28 left in the game.
A short kickoff by Akers and a good return by RB DJ Ware gave the Giants the ball on their own 35-yard line, and a pass from Manning to Manningham and three straight runs by Bradshaw gave the Giants two first downs, forcing the Eagles to use all three of their timeouts. However, on second and six from the Eagles' 38-yard line, T David Diehl
committed a false start penalty, backing the Giants up to second and 11. A three-yard run by Bradshaw and an incomplete pass by Manning on third down left the Giants just outside Tynes' range for a field goal and forced the Giants to punt. The ensuing fair catch by Maclin gave the Eagles the ball at their own 12-yard line with 3:01 remaining in the game.
After two incomplete passes to begin the drive, Vick escaped a blitz by scrambling to his left for 33 yards before stepping out of bounds at the Eagles' 45-yard line. A pass to Avant and another scramble by Vick set the Eagles up at the 20-yard line at the two-minute warning. Facing second and three from the 13-yard line, Vick passed to Maclin on the left side, and Maclin shook a tackle from CB Terrell Thomas
and reached the end zone, tying the game at 31-31 with 1:16 remaining.
Once again, Akers' kick and Ware's return placed the Giants in good field position, with Manning beginning the drive at the Giants' 36-yard line with 1:10 left. However, the drive began with two incomplete passes, and after a third-down sack by DT Trevor Laws
put the Giants at their own 29-yard line, the Giants called a timeout as the play clock was about to expire on fourth down with 12 seconds left.
Officials then ruled to reset the game clock to 0:14 as the Giants' punt team and the Eagles' punt return team came onto the field. The snap from long snapper Zak DeOssie
to Punter Matt Dodge
was high, and Dodge hastily kicked a line drive punt to Jackson rather than kicking the ball out of bounds. Jackson received the ball at the Eagles' 35-yard line and immediately muffed the catch before picking the ball up and backpedaling to the 30-yard line. Jackson ran through a group of Giants and made it to midfield before receiving a huge block by WR Jason Avant on DeOssie, leaving no one in front of Jackson on the way to the end zone. Ware followed Jackson but could not catch him. After the clock hit 0:00, Jackson ran parallel to the goal line across most of the width of the field—according to Jackson after the game, because he wanted to be sure the clock had expired, though some observers believed it to be due to his showboating nature — before advancing into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. With no flags on the field, Jackson threw the ball into the New Meadowlands stands in celebration as the team gathered around him near the end zone. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin
was so livid he threw his play sheet and notes onto the ground and ran onto the field before Jackson even reached the end zone, yelling at Dodge for not punting the ball out of bounds. Per NFL rules, Akers came out to kick the extra point and the Eagles won the game 38-31.
on FOX.
Eagles broadcasters Merrill Reese
and Mike Quick
called the play on WYSP-FM in Philadelphia this way:
aCarries
bLong play
cReceptions
tTackles
gForced Fumble
put on the front page cover, "GIANTS DOG IT Epic Collapse against Vick and the Eagles." The Post also printed a photo of Eagles QB Michael Vick and two dogs superimposed on Giants players’ faces behind him. It was also discussed on morning news shows, including American Morning
. Commentators in both New York and Philadelphia also held up the morning newspapers in their cities, both of which had the headline about the Eagles beating the Giants.
Following the win, the Eagles clinched the NFC East division title after the Giants lost against the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers
. Despite the miracle win, it would be their last win of the season as the Eagles lost their next three games, including a Wild Card playoff game against the Packers. Though the Giants won their week 17 matchup against the Washington Redskins
, they failed to qualify for the playoffs. Before the 2011 season began, Matt Dodge was released by the Giants and is not currently on any team's active roster.
Also of note: if the Miracle at the New Meadowlands had not occurred, the Green Bay Packers would not have clinched the NFC wildcard spot.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
fans to refer to an improbable come-from-behind win by the Philadelphia Eagles
2010 Philadelphia Eagles season
The 2010 Philadelphia Eagles season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League , who looked to improve on their 11–5 record from 2009. They finished with a 10–6 record, but lost to the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card playoffs. For head coach Andy Reid, this was his 12th...
over the New York Giants
2010 New York Giants season
The 2010 New York Giants season was the 86th season for the team in the National Football League and the team's inaugural season in New Meadowlands Stadium. The Giants improved on their 8–8 2009 record by finishing 10–6 and second place in the NFC East...
on December 19, 2010 at New Meadowlands Stadium
New Meadowlands Stadium
MetLife Stadium is a stadium in the New York City Metropolitan Area, part of the MetLife Sports Complex, in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is the home of the New York Giants and New York Jets of the National Football League and is adjacent to the site of the former Giants Stadium, which was home...
. The Eagles had been badly outplayed by the Giants for the first three quarters and trailed by 21 points with under eight minutes to play. They went on to score four unanswered touchdowns in the final seven minutes and 28 seconds of play. The final score to win the game, 38–31, came off a punt returned for a touchdown by DeSean Jackson
DeSean Jackson
Going to the 2008 NFL Draft Jackson was considered one of the top ten wide receivers available in a draft class littered with talented wide outs. The only knock on Jackson was his small frame, being measured at 5'9¾ " and just over 170 pounds. During the pre-draft period, Hall of Fame wide receiver...
as time expired. Jackson became the first player in NFL history to achieve a walk-off punt return touchdown. The game ranked at #1 among the top 20 games of the 2010 NFL regular season.
First quarter
The Giants won the toss and chose to receive, but their first possession resulted in a punt after going three-and-out.The Eagles offense took the field for the first time, with the ball spotted at their own 29 yard line. After an incomplete pass, QB Michael Vick
Michael Vick
Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League...
threw a pass intended for WR DeSean Jackson
DeSean Jackson
Going to the 2008 NFL Draft Jackson was considered one of the top ten wide receivers available in a draft class littered with talented wide outs. The only knock on Jackson was his small frame, being measured at 5'9¾ " and just over 170 pounds. During the pre-draft period, Hall of Fame wide receiver...
, but it was picked off by CB Corey Webster
Corey Webster
Corey Jonas Webster is an American football cornerback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisiana State University.-High school career:Webster attended St. James High...
who returned it to the Philadelphia 42 yard line. The Giants were unable to capitalize on the turnover, as LB Moise Fokou
Moise Fokou
Moise Fokou is an American football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was selected by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland and Frostburg State.-Early years:Fokou was born in Cameroon to parents...
sacked QB Eli Manning
Eli Manning
Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning...
putting them out of field goal range and forcing them to punt.
After the Eagles failed to get anything going on the ensuing drive, the Giants put together a 71-yard scoring drive that ended with Manning finding WR Mario Manningham
Mario Manningham
Mario Cashmere Manningham is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
for a 35-yard touchdown pass to put the Giants on the board, leading 7–0.
Near the end of the quarter S Quintin Mikell
Quintin Mikell
Quintin Perry Mikell is an American football safety for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Boise State....
picked off Manning's pass to WR Derek Hagan
Derek Hagan
Derek Steven Hagan, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. Hagan most recently played for the Oakland Raiders of National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2006...
and ran it back to the Giants 45-yard line. The final play of the first quarter resulted in a run by Vick for 11 yards and a personal foul called on T Jonathan Goff
Jonathan Goff
Jonathan Goff is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Vanderbilt.-Early years:Jonathan Goff was born to Gwendolyn Tyre and Tobie Goff in Atlanta,...
which moved the ball to the Giants' 19-yard line.
Second quarter
The Eagles' drive carried over from the previous quarter. A completed pass and a run moved the Eagles to the 12-yard line. But on third down, Vick was sacked for a 4-yard loss by DT Rocky BernardRocky Bernard
Robert "Rocky" Eugene Bernard, Jr. is an American football defensive tackle for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Texas A&M.-Seattle Seahawks:Bernard was drafted by the...
, forcing Philadelphia to settle for a 34-yard field goal from K David Akers
David Akers
David Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville....
.
The Giants received the ball and started at their own 21 yard line, whereupon they put together a 8-play, 79-yard drive. RB Ahmad Bradshaw
Ahmad Bradshaw
Ahmad Bradshaw is an American football running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the New York Giants...
ran three times for 24 yards. The drive ended on Manning's second touchdown pass to Manningham, this one for 33 yards putting the Giants in the driver's seat, 14–3.
The Giants once again stopped the Eagles on their next drive and received the ball. Two passes to Hagan for 27 yards and 11-yard run by Bradshaw helped the Giants get to the Eagles 7-yard line. The Giants were unable to score on third down because of an incomplete pass to TE Kevin Boss
Kevin Boss
Kevin Boss is an American football tight end for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League...
. The Giants settled for a 25-yard field goal from K Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence Tynes
Lawrence James Henry Tynes is an American football placekicker for the New York Giants. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2001.-Early years:...
to make the score 17–3.
The Eagles tried to get something going on the next drive and it appeared they did when Vick found WR Jeremy Maclin
Jeremy Maclin
-2009 NFL Draft:Maclin was considered a top National Football League prospect following his second season, and roommate Sean Weatherspoon hoped to convince Maclin to return for his junior year instead of leaving Missouri for the 2009 NFL Draft. Weatherspoon’s efforts were unsuccessful, and on...
, but the ball came loose before he hit the ground. S Kenny Phillips
Kenny Phillips
-New York Giants:Phillips was expected to compete for the vacant free safety position left by Gibril Wilson, who left for free agency to the Oakland Raiders in the 2008 offseason...
recovered it and ran it to the Philadelphia 8-yard line. The Eagles called a timeout to try and get the replay assistant to take a look at the play since it was now under two minutes in the half, but the play was reviewed and it was determined to be a fumble. The Giants took advantage of this and on the next play, Manning found WR Hakeem Nicks
Hakeem Nicks
-New York Giants:On August 1, 2009, Nicks signed a five-year, $12.54 million contract. The deal includes a $6.5 million signing bonus. During training camp, Nicks vied for a starting position with the Giants other receivers, most notably Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith.2009Nicks made his first career...
for an 8-yard touchdown pass putting the Giants in total control at halftime 24–3.
Third quarter
After the first drives of the quarter by both teams failed, the Eagles received the ball and tried to drive downfield. They got to the Giants' 42 before two costly penalties on TE Brent CelekBrent Celek
Brent Steven Celek is an American football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Cincinnati.-Early years:...
forced them to punt.
On the next drive, Manning found Manningham but the ball came loose and DT Mike Patterson recovered it for the Eagles on the Giants 25-yard line. After a run and a pass, Vick threw a 8-yard touchdown pass to Maclin to make the score 24–10 and keep the Eagles in the game.
Fourth quarter
Both teams punted once in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter, giving the Eagles the ball with 12:48 remaining in the game. With first down at the 20-yard line, Vick dropped back and passed to Jackson, who advanced to the Eagles' 49-yard line before losing the football as he hit the ground. The Giants' Kenny Phillips picked up the loose ball and advanced it to the Eagles' 47-yard line. Replays showed that LB Jonathan Goff touched Jackson's jersey as he was falling, meaning that the call on the field of a fumble was incorrect. However, Eagles head coach Andy ReidAndy Reid
Andrew Walter "Andy" Reid is the head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, a post he has held since 1999. Since 2001, he has also been the team's executive vice president of football operations...
neglected to challenge the call on the field and the Giants took possession. On third down and 4 from the Eagles' 8-yard line, Manning hit Boss in the back of the end zone to give the Giants a 31-10 lead with 8:17 remaining in the game.
After opening up the next drive with a pass to Maclin that brought the Eagles to their own 35-yard line, Vick dropped back and completed a pass downfield to Celek, who blew by a missed tackle from Phillips and made his way into the end zone for a 65-yard touchdown that brought the score to 31-17 with 7:28 left in the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, after both teams lined up in regular kickoff formations, Akers placed an onside kick on the left side of the field, which was caught by WR Riley Cooper and advanced to the Eagles' 43-yard line. Particularly noteworthy about the play was the fact that the Eagles only had 10 men on the field - four to Akers' right and five to his left — and that the Giants' front line of blockers on the return was lined up 15 yards away from the tee, rather than the usual 10. It was unclear whether the Eagles intentionally had only 10 men on the field, as Giants special teams captain Chase Blackburn
Chase Blackburn
Chase Blackburn is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football for Akron....
stated after the game that he believed it was on purpose. On the second play of the ensuing drive, Vick escaped a New York blitz and rushed all the way down to the Giants' six-yard line. After two incomplete passes, with an offsides on Tuck in between, Vick ran the ball into the end zone on third and goal from the four-yard line, making the score 31-24 with 5:28 left in the game.
A short kickoff by Akers and a good return by RB DJ Ware gave the Giants the ball on their own 35-yard line, and a pass from Manning to Manningham and three straight runs by Bradshaw gave the Giants two first downs, forcing the Eagles to use all three of their timeouts. However, on second and six from the Eagles' 38-yard line, T David Diehl
David Diehl
David Diehl is an American football offensive guard with the New York Giants of the National Football League and is one of only two offensive lineman who entered the NFL in 2003 to start all 80 regular season games through the end of the 2008 season....
committed a false start penalty, backing the Giants up to second and 11. A three-yard run by Bradshaw and an incomplete pass by Manning on third down left the Giants just outside Tynes' range for a field goal and forced the Giants to punt. The ensuing fair catch by Maclin gave the Eagles the ball at their own 12-yard line with 3:01 remaining in the game.
After two incomplete passes to begin the drive, Vick escaped a blitz by scrambling to his left for 33 yards before stepping out of bounds at the Eagles' 45-yard line. A pass to Avant and another scramble by Vick set the Eagles up at the 20-yard line at the two-minute warning. Facing second and three from the 13-yard line, Vick passed to Maclin on the left side, and Maclin shook a tackle from CB Terrell Thomas
Terrell Thomas
-New York Giants:Thomas was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, after projecting to be a third round pick. Thomas was the 63rd overall pick of the draft and the final pick of the second round...
and reached the end zone, tying the game at 31-31 with 1:16 remaining.
Once again, Akers' kick and Ware's return placed the Giants in good field position, with Manning beginning the drive at the Giants' 36-yard line with 1:10 left. However, the drive began with two incomplete passes, and after a third-down sack by DT Trevor Laws
Trevor Laws
Trevor David Laws is an American football defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Notre Dame....
put the Giants at their own 29-yard line, the Giants called a timeout as the play clock was about to expire on fourth down with 12 seconds left.
Officials then ruled to reset the game clock to 0:14 as the Giants' punt team and the Eagles' punt return team came onto the field. The snap from long snapper Zak DeOssie
Zak DeOssie
Zackary Robert "Zak" DeOssie is an American football linebacker and Long snapper for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Brown.A two-time Pro Bowl selection in 2008, 2010 as a...
to Punter Matt Dodge
Matt Dodge
-New York Giants:Dodge was drafted by the New York Giants in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft to replace long-time Giants punter Jeff Feagles, who had just retired. Dodge officially beat out Jy Bond for the punting job on June 21 when Bond was waived from the team...
was high, and Dodge hastily kicked a line drive punt to Jackson rather than kicking the ball out of bounds. Jackson received the ball at the Eagles' 35-yard line and immediately muffed the catch before picking the ball up and backpedaling to the 30-yard line. Jackson ran through a group of Giants and made it to midfield before receiving a huge block by WR Jason Avant on DeOssie, leaving no one in front of Jackson on the way to the end zone. Ware followed Jackson but could not catch him. After the clock hit 0:00, Jackson ran parallel to the goal line across most of the width of the field—according to Jackson after the game, because he wanted to be sure the clock had expired, though some observers believed it to be due to his showboating nature — before advancing into the end zone for the game-winning touchdown. With no flags on the field, Jackson threw the ball into the New Meadowlands stands in celebration as the team gathered around him near the end zone. Giants head coach Tom Coughlin
Tom Coughlin
Thomas Richard Coughlin is an American football coach who is currently head coach for the New York Giants of the National Football League . Coughlin has led the Giants to victory in Super Bowl XLII. Coughlin was also the inaugural head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, serving from 1995–2002 and...
was so livid he threw his play sheet and notes onto the ground and ran onto the field before Jackson even reached the end zone, yelling at Dodge for not punting the ball out of bounds. Per NFL rules, Akers came out to kick the extra point and the Eagles won the game 38-31.
Scoring summary
| Scoring Play | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Quarter | |||
| NYG – Mario Manningham Mario Manningham Mario Cashmere Manningham is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft... 35 yard TD Touchdown A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:... pass from Eli Manning Eli Manning Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning... (Lawrence Tynes PAT Convert The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or... ), 3:36 |
NYG 7–0 | ||
| 2nd Quarter | |||
| PHI – David Akers David Akers David Roy Akers is a left footed American football placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 1997. He played college football at Louisville.... 34 yard field goal, 13:02 |
NYG 7–3 | ||
| NYG – Mario Manningham 33 yard TD pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes PAT), 8:17 | NYG 14–3 | ||
| NYG – Lawrence Tynes Lawrence Tynes Lawrence James Henry Tynes is an American football placekicker for the New York Giants. He was originally signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent in 2001.-Early years:... 25 yard field goal, 0:48 |
NYG 17–3 | ||
| NYG – Hakeem Nicks Hakeem Nicks -New York Giants:On August 1, 2009, Nicks signed a five-year, $12.54 million contract. The deal includes a $6.5 million signing bonus. During training camp, Nicks vied for a starting position with the Giants other receivers, most notably Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith.2009Nicks made his first career... 8 yard TD pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes PAT), 0:05 |
NYG 24–3 | ||
| 3rd Quarter | |||
| PHI – Jeremy Maclin Jeremy Maclin -2009 NFL Draft:Maclin was considered a top National Football League prospect following his second season, and roommate Sean Weatherspoon hoped to convince Maclin to return for his junior year instead of leaving Missouri for the 2009 NFL Draft. Weatherspoon’s efforts were unsuccessful, and on... 8 yard TD pass from Michael Vick Michael Vick Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League... (David Akers PAT), 3:56 |
NYG 24–10 | ||
| 4th Quarter | |||
| NYG – Kevin Boss Kevin Boss Kevin Boss is an American football tight end for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League... 8 yard TD pass from Eli Manning (Lawrence Tynes PAT), 8:17 |
NYG 31–10 | ||
| PHI – Brent Celek Brent Celek Brent Steven Celek is an American football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Cincinnati.-Early years:... 65 yard TD pass from Michael Vick (David Akers PAT), 7:28 |
NYG 31–17 | ||
| PHI – Michael Vick 4 yard TD run (David Akers PAT), 5:28 | NYG 31–24 | ||
| PHI – Jeremy Maclin 13 yard TD pass from Michael Vick (David Akers PAT), 1:16 | TIE 31–31 | ||
| PHI – DeSean Jackson DeSean Jackson Going to the 2008 NFL Draft Jackson was considered one of the top ten wide receivers available in a draft class littered with talented wide outs. The only knock on Jackson was his small frame, being measured at 5'9¾ " and just over 170 pounds. During the pre-draft period, Hall of Fame wide receiver... 65 yard punt return for a TD (David Akers PAT), 0:00 |
PHI 38–31 | ||
Calls on the last play
The following is the call of the final play of the game from Joe BuckJoe Buck
Joseph Francis "Joe" Buck is an American sportscaster and the son of legendary sportscaster Jack Buck. He has won numerous Sports Emmy Awards for his play-by-play work with Fox Sports.-Education:...
on FOX.
Eagles broadcasters Merrill Reese
Merrill Reese
Merrill Alan Reese is an American sports radio announcer best known for his role as the play-by-play radio announcer for the Philadelphia Eagles on SportsRadio 94.1 WIP-FM. He has been the voice of the Eagles since 1977.-Early years:...
and Mike Quick
Mike Quick
Michael Anthony Quick is a former American football wide receiver who played his entire career with the Philadelphia Eagles .-Playing career:...
called the play on WYSP-FM in Philadelphia this way:
Statistics
| Source: | Philadelphia Eagles | New York Giants |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 19 | 20 |
| Third down efficiency | 4/11 | 8/17 |
| Fourth down efficiency | 0/0 | 0/0 |
| Total yards | 418 | 364 |
| Passing yards | 221 | 264 |
| Passing – completions/attempts | 21/35 | 23/39 |
| Rushing yards | 197 | 100 |
| Rushing attempts | 21 | 31 |
| Yards per rush | 9.4 | 3.2 |
| Penalties–yards | 5–30 | 4–35 |
| Sacks against–yards | 3–21 | 2–25 |
| Fumbles–lost | 3–2 | 2–1 |
| Interceptions thrown | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 26:31 | 33:29 |
Individual leaders
*Completions/AttemptsaCarries
bLong play
cReceptions
tTackles
gForced Fumble
Starting lineups
| Philadelphia | Position | Position | New York Giants |
|---|---|---|---|
| OFFENSE | |||
| Jeremy Maclin Jeremy Maclin -2009 NFL Draft:Maclin was considered a top National Football League prospect following his second season, and roommate Sean Weatherspoon hoped to convince Maclin to return for his junior year instead of leaving Missouri for the 2009 NFL Draft. Weatherspoon’s efforts were unsuccessful, and on... |
WR | Hakeem Nicks Hakeem Nicks -New York Giants:On August 1, 2009, Nicks signed a five-year, $12.54 million contract. The deal includes a $6.5 million signing bonus. During training camp, Nicks vied for a starting position with the Giants other receivers, most notably Domenik Hixon and Steve Smith.2009Nicks made his first career... |
|
| Jason Peters Jason Peters -Buffalo Bills:Peters was picked up by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted rookie free agent in April 2004. He was cut then re-signed to the Bills' practice squad. He was signed to the active roster on November 12, 2004... |
LT | David Diehl David Diehl David Diehl is an American football offensive guard with the New York Giants of the National Football League and is one of only two offensive lineman who entered the NFL in 2003 to start all 80 regular season games through the end of the 2008 season.... |
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| Todd Herremans Todd Herremans Not invited to the NFL Scouting Combine, Herremans worked out for more than 24 NFL teams prior to the 2005 NFL Draft. He was projected to be drafted in the fifth- or sixth-round by NFLDraftScout.com. Herremans was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the draft... |
LG | Rich Seubert Rich Seubert Rich Seubert is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants out of Western Illinois University in 2001. Seubert lives in Wayne, New Jersey.-High school career:... |
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| Mike McGlynn Mike McGlynn Michael Ryan "Mike" McGlynn is an American football center for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft... |
C | Shaun O'Hara Shaun O'Hara Shaun O'Hara is an American football center in the National Football League who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Rutgers University, and has been in the NFL since 2000, having begun his pro career as a free agent with the Cleveland Browns... |
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| Max Jean-Gilles Max Jean-Gilles Max Jean-Gilles is an American football guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft... |
RG | Chris Snee Chris Snee Christopher Snee is an American football guard for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. He played college football at Boston College.... |
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| King Dunlap King Dunlap -Philadelphia Eagles:Dunlap was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles with the 230th pick overall in the seventh round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract with the team on June 17, 2008... |
RT | Kareem McKenzie Kareem McKenzie Kareem Michael McKenzie is a player for the New York Giants of the National Football League.McKenzie played only two years of high school football at Willingboro High School in Willingboro Township, New Jersey.... |
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| Brent Celek Brent Celek Brent Steven Celek is an American football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft. He played college football at Cincinnati.-Early years:... |
TE | Kevin Boss Kevin Boss Kevin Boss is an American football tight end for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League... |
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| DeSean Jackson DeSean Jackson Going to the 2008 NFL Draft Jackson was considered one of the top ten wide receivers available in a draft class littered with talented wide outs. The only knock on Jackson was his small frame, being measured at 5'9¾ " and just over 170 pounds. During the pre-draft period, Hall of Fame wide receiver... |
WR | Derek Hagan Derek Hagan Derek Steven Hagan, Jr. is an American football wide receiver who is currently a wide receiver for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League. Hagan most recently played for the Oakland Raiders of National Football League. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the third round of the 2006... |
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| Michael Vick Michael Vick Michael Dwayne Vick is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League... |
QB | Eli Manning Eli Manning Eli Nelson Manning is an American football quarterback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He is the younger brother of NFL quarterback Peyton Manning and the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning... |
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| LeSean McCoy LeSean McCoy -Philadelphia Eagles:McCoy was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract with the team on June 29, 2009.... |
RB | Brandon Jacobs Brandon Jacobs -New York Giants:Going into the 2006 season Jacobs stated that he studied film of famed power running back Eddie George in an effort to refine his running style. George, like Jacobs, was a large, power running back. In the 2006 season, Jacobs carried the ball 96 times for 423 yards and nine... |
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| Clay Harbor Clay Harbor Clay Harbor is an American football tight end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the Eagles in the fourth round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He played college football at Missouri State.... |
TE | FB | Bear Pascoe Bear Pascoe McKenna "Bear" Pascoe is an American football tight end for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round of the 2009 NFL Draft... |
| DEFENSE | |||
| Juqua Parker | LE | Justin Tuck Justin Tuck Justin Lee Tuck is an American football defensive end for the National Football League's New York Giants.A former standout defensive end for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Tuck currently plays in the National Football League for the New York Giants. His cousin Adalius Thomas was also a former... |
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| Mike Patterson | LDT | Barry Cofield Barry Cofield Barry Joseph Cofield, Jr. is an American football nose tackle for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League.-High school years:... |
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| Antonio Dixon Antonio Dixon Antonio Dixon is an American football defensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Washington Redskins in 2009. He played college football at the University of Miami.-Early years:Dixon grew up in at least six... |
RDT | Chris Canty | |
| Trent Cole Trent Cole -2005:Cole was selected in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles with the draft pick acquired from the Washington Redskins for wide receiver James Thrash. He signed a 4-year contract before his rookie season.... |
RE | Osi Umenyiora Osi Umenyiora -2003:Umenyiora was drafted in the 2nd round of the 2003 NFL Draft by the New York Giants out of Troy State University, now Troy University. He was number 72. As a rookie in 2003, he played in 13 games with one start.-2005:... |
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| Ernie Sims Ernie Sims -Detroit Lions:Sims was selected as ninth overall in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. Sims was targeted by Lions general manager Matt Millen to bolster the Lions' defense at weakside linebacker. On July 30, 2006, he signed a 5-year, $15.735 million contract with $12.1... |
WLB | Michael Boley Michael Boley Michael Boley is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the fifth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Southern Miss.-Early years:Boley played high school football for Elkmont High... |
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| Jamar Chaney Jamar Chaney -Philadelphia Eagles:Chaney was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the seventh round of the 2010 NFL Draft. He was signed to a four-year contract on June 4, 2010... |
MLB | Jonathan Goff Jonathan Goff Jonathan Goff is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played college football at Vanderbilt.-Early years:Jonathan Goff was born to Gwendolyn Tyre and Tobie Goff in Atlanta,... |
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| Moise Fokou Moise Fokou Moise Fokou is an American football linebacker for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was selected by the Eagles in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played college football at Maryland and Frostburg State.-Early years:Fokou was born in Cameroon to parents... |
SLB | DB | Deon Grant Deon Grant Deon D'Marquis Grant is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in the second round of the 2000 NFL Draft... |
| Asante Samuel Asante Samuel Asante T. Samuel is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League . He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the fourth round of the 2003 NFL Draft... |
LCB | Corey Webster Corey Webster Corey Jonas Webster is an American football cornerback for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisiana State University.-High school career:Webster attended St. James High... |
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| Dimitri Patterson Dimitri Patterson Dimitri Jonthiel Patterson is an American football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League. He was signed by the Washington Redskins as an undrafted free agent in 2005... |
RCB | Terrell Thomas Terrell Thomas -New York Giants:Thomas was drafted by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft, after projecting to be a third round pick. Thomas was the 63rd overall pick of the draft and the final pick of the second round... |
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| Quintin Mikell Quintin Mikell Quintin Perry Mikell is an American football safety for the St. Louis Rams of the National Football League. He was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles as an undrafted free agent in 2003. He played college football at Boise State.... |
SS | Kenny Phillips Kenny Phillips -New York Giants:Phillips was expected to compete for the vacant free safety position left by Gibril Wilson, who left for free agency to the Oakland Raiders in the 2008 offseason... |
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| Nate Allen Nate Allen (safety) -Philadelphia Eagles:Allen was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round in the 2010 NFL Draft. After Marlin Jackson suffered an Achilles tendon rupture during organized team activities, Allen was named the starting free safety going into training camp, replacing the 2009 starter,... |
FS | Antrel Rolle Antrel Rolle Antrel Rocelious Rolle is an American football safety for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Miami... |
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Game time and weather conditions
- Kickoff was at 1:03 p.m. ESTEastern Standard TimeEastern Standard Time may refer to:*North American Eastern Time Zone, UTC-5*Australian Eastern Standard Time, UTC+10*An album by Hip Hop group Kooley High...
(18:03 UTCCoordinated Universal TimeCoordinated Universal Time is the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time. It is one of several closely related successors to Greenwich Mean Time. Computer servers, online services and other entities that rely on having a universally accepted time use UTC for that purpose...
). - Weather at kickoff was 33 °F (0.555555555559977 °C), partly cloudy.
- Game length was 3 hrs. 16 min.
Aftermath
The day after, newspapers in New York had pictures of Eli Manning and other players on the Giants following the epic collapse on their covers. New York PostNew York Post
The New York Post is the 13th-oldest newspaper published in the United States and is generally acknowledged as the oldest to have been published continuously as a daily, although – as is the case with most other papers – its publication has been periodically interrupted by labor actions...
put on the front page cover, "GIANTS DOG IT Epic Collapse against Vick and the Eagles." The Post also printed a photo of Eagles QB Michael Vick and two dogs superimposed on Giants players’ faces behind him. It was also discussed on morning news shows, including American Morning
American Morning
American Morning is the morning television show on CNN. It premiered in 2001.-About the show:American Morning is hosted by Ashleigh Banfield, Zoraida Sambolin & Soledad O'Brien. Others who appear regularly are Rob Marciano with the weather, Sunny Hostin on legal news, and CNN senior medical...
. Commentators in both New York and Philadelphia also held up the morning newspapers in their cities, both of which had the headline about the Eagles beating the Giants.
Following the win, the Eagles clinched the NFC East division title after the Giants lost against the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers
2010 Green Bay Packers season
The 2010 Green Bay Packers season was the 90th season in the National Football League for the Packers and the 92nd season for the team overall. With a record of 10–6, the Packers entered the playoffs as the NFC's sixth seed...
. Despite the miracle win, it would be their last win of the season as the Eagles lost their next three games, including a Wild Card playoff game against the Packers. Though the Giants won their week 17 matchup against the Washington Redskins
2010 Washington Redskins season
The 2010 Washington Redskins season was the 78th season for the team in the National Football League , and their first under new head coach Mike Shanahan, who also began his term as the team's Vice President of Football Operations...
, they failed to qualify for the playoffs. Before the 2011 season began, Matt Dodge was released by the Giants and is not currently on any team's active roster.
Also of note: if the Miracle at the New Meadowlands had not occurred, the Green Bay Packers would not have clinched the NFC wildcard spot.