The New York Giants spent three and a half quarters yesterday thoroughly exorcising the demons the Eagles had infliced on them for years in their North Jersey home.
This was a new era, a new team, and a new stadium.
This was their chance to drive a stake through the heart of what is universally referred to simply as “The Fumble.” Joe Pisarcik mishandled a handoff, the ball hit the frozen Meadowlands turf and popped right up into the waiting hands of Eagles cornerback Herman Edwards, who raced into the end zone to give the Eagles the most improbable of wins. The Eagles, who desperately needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, had no timeouts left, and even less hope. All the Giants had to do was run out the clock.
Nov. 19, 1978, the first Miracle in the Meadowlands.
There were others. Clyde Simmons scooping up a blocked field goal and lumbering into the end zone to again snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat for the Eagles in North Jersey.
Then there was Brian Westbrook, again returning a punt for a touchdown to stun the Giants.
None of them can compare to what happened yesterday.
The Giants dominated the Eagles, shutting down Michael Vick and the Eagles’ high-powered offense. Vick was actually being outplayed by Eli Manning.
The Giants led by 21 points with 7 minutes to go in the contest.
The hex was about to finally be killed off. This was a new stadium, a new Giants team, and a new era.
And then the unthinkable happened.
All you can call it was Miracle of the Meadowlands II. The Eagles, behind their leader, the unflappable Vick, roared back to rattle off three touchdowns and tie the game. Vick threw for two and ran for one, when he wasn’t carving out huge chunks of the Giants’ hearts with his scampers.
Along the way the Eagles pulled off a perfect onside kick, which quickly led to another touchdown.
With the game deadlocked at 31, the Eagles defense, again with no timeouts left, stopped the Giants and forced a punt.
The rest is history, or infamy if you’re a fan of Big Blue.
DeSean Jackson fielded a punt that never should have been aimed at him.
Giants rookie punter Matt Dodge got spooked by a high snap and instead of kicking the ball out of bounds instead fired one right at Jackson.
The electric Eagles wide receiver dropped it, picked it up, hesitated, then darted up the middle. Jackson was in the clear in a matter of steps.
And the Giants were left to curse their fate. Again. Not even a new stadium could change their misfortune.
Not the best of weeks for New Yorkers. First they lose Cliff Lee to Philly. Then they are forced to endure the Miracle of the Meadowlands II.
I’m still not sure I believe what I saw.
I guess Al Michaels may have said it best.
Do you believe in miracles? After seeing what I saw yesterday, I do.
Christmas miracles, in particular.
This was a new era, a new team, and a new stadium.
This was their chance to drive a stake through the heart of what is universally referred to simply as “The Fumble.” Joe Pisarcik mishandled a handoff, the ball hit the frozen Meadowlands turf and popped right up into the waiting hands of Eagles cornerback Herman Edwards, who raced into the end zone to give the Eagles the most improbable of wins. The Eagles, who desperately needed a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, had no timeouts left, and even less hope. All the Giants had to do was run out the clock.
Nov. 19, 1978, the first Miracle in the Meadowlands.
There were others. Clyde Simmons scooping up a blocked field goal and lumbering into the end zone to again snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat for the Eagles in North Jersey.
Then there was Brian Westbrook, again returning a punt for a touchdown to stun the Giants.
None of them can compare to what happened yesterday.
The Giants dominated the Eagles, shutting down Michael Vick and the Eagles’ high-powered offense. Vick was actually being outplayed by Eli Manning.
The Giants led by 21 points with 7 minutes to go in the contest.
The hex was about to finally be killed off. This was a new stadium, a new Giants team, and a new era.
And then the unthinkable happened.
All you can call it was Miracle of the Meadowlands II. The Eagles, behind their leader, the unflappable Vick, roared back to rattle off three touchdowns and tie the game. Vick threw for two and ran for one, when he wasn’t carving out huge chunks of the Giants’ hearts with his scampers.
Along the way the Eagles pulled off a perfect onside kick, which quickly led to another touchdown.
With the game deadlocked at 31, the Eagles defense, again with no timeouts left, stopped the Giants and forced a punt.
The rest is history, or infamy if you’re a fan of Big Blue.
DeSean Jackson fielded a punt that never should have been aimed at him.
Giants rookie punter Matt Dodge got spooked by a high snap and instead of kicking the ball out of bounds instead fired one right at Jackson.
The electric Eagles wide receiver dropped it, picked it up, hesitated, then darted up the middle. Jackson was in the clear in a matter of steps.
And the Giants were left to curse their fate. Again. Not even a new stadium could change their misfortune.
Not the best of weeks for New Yorkers. First they lose Cliff Lee to Philly. Then they are forced to endure the Miracle of the Meadowlands II.
I’m still not sure I believe what I saw.
I guess Al Michaels may have said it best.
Do you believe in miracles? After seeing what I saw yesterday, I do.
Christmas miracles, in particular.
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