NFC Divisional Playoff Live Blog: Eagles @ Giants, 1st Half
Sunday, January 11, 2009
All right. Double live bloggin' today. Worth watching today: the clash between the Eagles' run-stuffing safety Brian Dawkins and the G-men's trio of RBs, because Brandon Jacobs is back this time.
Game: NFC Divisional Playoff #2
Teams: Philadelphia Eagles (9-6-1, 2nd place, NFC East) vs. New York Giants (12-4, NFC East Champs)
Location: Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Start Time: 1 PM EST
Announcers and Network: Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Pam Oliver, and Chris Myers (Fox)
Miscellany: Manning Face, Donovan McNabb's future in Philly, Jim Johnson's defense, Steve Spagnuolo's D (and his "hot candidate" status for head coaching vacancies), Andy Reid's curious challenges and/or time management.
Favorite: Giants (-4)
S2N's Pick: Giants. Jacobs is playing this time around, and that sets up the run game. Plus, you all know I don't trust Andy Reid's play-calling against competent coaches. He could forget Brian Westbrook exists this week.
Chris Myers again? Is he giving the big boys blowjobs to get these gigs? - Anon @ 12:57
It's probably that they pay him a ton and are trying to justify it.
Or they are too cheap to use anyone else. - JFein
Now, now. Hacks don't come cheap. Do you know how much his hair spray budget is? (And we won't get evidence of this today; Myers is wearing a cap.)
"Hence the hat for Chris; he looks like he's in Prison Break." - Joe Buck, weaving in both bad joke and Fox promo like the skilled slick bastard he is. Eagles will kick off to Ahmad "Fire" Bradshaw, with the wind swirling all over the place in New Jersey. They should note when the wind is NOT a factor at the Meadowlands. Bradshaw scampers all the way down in Eagles territory and kicker David Akers saves a touchdown by pushing him out at the Philly 36 or so.
Eli Manning's first pass goes for The Other Steve Smith, and the wind catches it a bit -- lucky for Asante Samuel, who was about to get burned if not for that. Brandon Jacobs gets 7 on his first carry for a 3rd and 3. Manning Face on the first play is a rarity. Screen pass to Ward -- and he's short of the marker. 4th and 2, and the G-men are going for it -- Jacobs gets that first down.
Manning completes to TE Darcy Johnson at the 11. Jacobs gets one or two, tackled by Brian Dawkins. Incomplete on 2nd down, short out to Derrick Ward again on 3rd down....and short. FG team on. John Carney's attempt is good, 3-0, Giants.
Quentin Demps returns Lawrence Tynes' kick 19 yards. Donovan McNabb starts with a rifle shot to DeSean Jackson for nine yards....well, 10. First down. Westbrook gets hit in the backfield for a loss at the 40. McNabb to Correll Buckhalter on a screen pass that gets sniffed out and brought down for another 3 yard loss. 3rd and 16. McNabb aims behind Kevin Curtis -- three and out. Clearly, the Giants have no respect for the run game right now -- they're loading guys in the secondary and having them play run support.
To add insult to injury, it's a false start on the punt. 4th and 21, and the predictable "EAGLES SUCK" chant. Domenik Hixon crosses the 40 on the punt, but there are flags for either holding or a block in the back. Holding and unsportsmanlike.
And right off the bat, Eli throws an ill-advised pass and Asante Samuel picks him off, returning it for a first and goal situation. Ah, Manning Face.
Westbrook on first and goal from the 2 is completely stuffed. McNabb skies 2nd and goal out of bounds with a flag thrown -- usually that's holding, but it's defensive, and it resets the downs from the one. Westbrook tries to jump in, and crashes thanks to a G-men defender at the line of scrimmage. McNabb keeps it himself and reaches over the goal line, TOUCHDOWN, EAGLES. Akers' kick is good, 7-3, Philly.
Still trying to figure out whose idea of a date movie is "My Bloody Valentine 3D." By personal experience, horror movies don't exactly make great dates.
Dear Asante, nice to see you can intercept Eli Manning
-Signed,
the New England Patriots - Ghost
Hah. Ward carries for two, and it's a long third down for the Giants coming up. Manning throws 12 yards for Steve Smith, moving the chains. The Eagles stop up two more running plays, and it's another 3rd and long. Manning floats another pass, this one out of bounds for Amani Toomer. Punt is 45 yards, and Philly will have to back up thanks to a block in the back. They'll start at about the 10 or so.
What's "G"? It's the crappiest set of spots ever, that's what. Westbrook loses a yard on the carry. A false start will move the Eagles back even further. Buckhalter gets five yards on 2nd down.
Get me some PowerAde. - James Craven
Donny Mac's 3rd down pass goes through the mitts of Jason the Avant Garde....and Rocca will punt again. Hixon gets nailed by Considine at the Philly 46 -- and it will back up into Giants territory because of a block in the back. Brandon Jacobs picks up 11 yards and a first down to end the quarter.
This is gonna rival Titans v. Ravens for flags. - Mal
Hopefully not with ticky-tack ones in the fourth quarter when it counts, though. Jacobs starts with a rush for two, follows up with 1 yard. Manning goes downfield for Smith....and overthrows him. Jeff Feagles punts, it's saved from the end zone by Terrell Thomas, and downed at the five.
Westbrook gets a yard on the carry after Buck remarks that the Eagles have only gained 10 yards so far. McNabb flips the ball out on 2nd down, and EVERYBODY DO THE SAFETY DANCE! Intentional grounding. 7-5, Philly.
McNabb didn't vomit on the field then, but that was a pretty sick hurl on that pass. - Mal
I'm pretty surprised Andy Reid didn't challenge that, it just seems like the type of thing he would challenge. He's stepping up a notch for the post-season. - Ghost
Rocca free punts it to Hixon, who brings it out to the 32. Four yards on a first down rush. Eli hits Kevin Boss a yard short of the marker...at least it looked like that to me, but apparently he's got it. Ward for three as he runs out to the right. Incomplete pass, but Stewart Bradley gets called for illegal hands to the face, first down. Manning hits Boss for 21 down the left sideline, gets forced out at the 27. Jacobs carries for no gain.
Manning throws another duck that's a bit too far to catch Hixon in stride. The Eagles have to play single coverage on the receivers to stop the run, and Manning isn't hitting them. Eli has to get rid of it, and here comes John Carney for an FG try of 46 yards, and he pushed it right.
Buckhalter carries once again for fuck all. Both defenses are doing rather well with the run. McNabb hits Brent Celek at the 41 for 5 yards. First wasted time out by the Eagles because they can't get a play off.
Arizona must be loving watching this game. If the winner plays like this next week, Arizona may actually be in the Super Bowl. And if Eli continues to play this badly, Arizona's going to have an even easier time in their own house. - Zidane Valor
I don't think Kurt Warner's any better throwing in the wind than these guys, honestly. You can bet the Cards are rooting for the Eagles. L.J. Smith just caught a first down pass for the team's first 3rd down conversion of the game. Westbrook gets two yards on the outside. He then grabs six for his longest run so far this game, after Buck has a bit of an obsession with McNabb's chin strap. Buckhalter burrows for a first down on 3rd and 1.
Another yard for Westbrook. After the next play, it's third and 9. Blitz on, McNabb is hit as he throws by Terrell Thomas, forcing the pass to float, and Sean Dockery comes down with the pick at the Giants 20!
Brandon Jacobs gets a nice 24-yard run to start thanks to a Madison Hedgecock block. Hedge-cock block, heh. Ward gets five on the next carry. Manning hits Boss after stepping up in the pocket and the tight end is down at the Eagles 26 after a 25 yard pass. Jacobs adds another five, and we're in the red zone at the two minute warning.
I can't be the only one who wants to see Taken, if only because Liam Neeson in ass-kicking mode is fun.
The refs took the Jacobs carry off because it apparently was snapped after the clock hit 2 minutes. Quick throw to Hixon, wrapped up, but offsides on Philly. Incomplete on 1st and 5. Tipped ball on 2nd and 5. Short throw to Ward, and he'll be tackled short of the first down. Carney comes on for a 35 yard try. Kick up and good, Giants take an 8-7 lead.
With Coughlin standing around with his hands on his hips, I'm expecting him to start singing "I'm a Little Teapot." - Mal
But he's ALWAYS steamed. How can you tell when to pour him out?
Demps takes the kickoff out to the 25. McNabb throws to Celek, who drops it because he's looking upfield. DeSean Jackson gets his first catch, running out of bounds after passing the first down marker. Donny Mac to the Avant Garde for 5, then another pass to Westbrook, who scampers out of bounds for the first down at the Giants' 49. McNabb to Avant again at the 34.
And Andy Reid burns his last time out with 40 seconds left, while Troy Aikman digs at him slightly for it (rightfully so.)
As a Vikes fan, I now see where Brad Childress got his clock management skills. - Anon @ 2:32 PM
Jackson brings the catch in at the 25. Ball thrown away on 2nd down. 3rd and 1 means Westbrook; he gets the first, and now they spike it. Giants get flagged for an illegal contact on the running play by McNabb, which gets added on. First and goal. McNabb aims for Jackson in the end zone, but he catches it out of bounds. Akers on for the chip-shot FG; it's up and good. 10-8, Eagles at the half. See you in the 2nd half thread.
138 Comments:
Chris Myers again? Is he giving the big boys blowjobs to get these gigs?
I'm glad I passed on that one, SSR. It would have involved me yelling, "HERE WE GO, METEOR, HERE WE GO!"
Hahaha, I'm glad I got to see Rooney and Berba score while being pretty much unmarked.
And now I listen to Joe Buck, so I know things have gone back down to Earth.
It's probably that they pay him a ton and are trying to justify it.
Or they are too cheap to use anyone else.
"Are we going to have a good game today Troy"
"Well Maybe"
Joe Buck and Troy Aikman before the game.
"Brandon Jacobs on the ot...on the oth.....on...on the other hand." - Pam Oliver
Note to Chris Myers: That scarf makes you look ridiculous.
"Hence the hat for Chris, it looks like he is in prison." - Joe Buck
"Field pition." - Aikman
"Clean lent...clean lanes." - Aikman
"Hence the hat for [Mr. Sunshine], it looks like he is on Prison Break."
and wow it only took one play for a shot of Manning face.
Shit. This is going to be a long afternoon for my Iggles.
Field goal a moral victory for eagles defense.
That was an ugly looking 22-yard field goal.
Being a Cardinals fan(Lietch isn't the only one out there), I have to pull for Philly, because I'd rather see them play in Glendale next week.
Real robots don't dance.
why was Eli throwing a 4 yard pass on 3rd and 8?
Fact. The new guy got his hair done at the Moe Howard Threecomonics Stooges Barber School. Fact.
Joe as usual out to get everyone. Troy as usual out to get no one.
He stopped loving her today.
Right. RIGHT!!! You bloody well right.
And now here comes Sav "I Can't Punt in the Wind" Rocca
Well that sucks.
Not good for the Eagles going Putin, if you know what I mean.
Eagles suck chants!
Dang, what is up with the Eagles kick/punt return coverage?
And Nathan "George Jones" Brice is back. GO PLAY IN FUCKING TRAFFIC, ASSCLOWN!
Or they could be going Gorbachav. You never know.
Mike Carey is the ref. Where is Ed Hochuli and where is Jack Childress?
So Nathan is back, I'm fighting a resilient troll with my other admins on a sports wikia, and Nathan is back!
Bogus penalty by the way.
Eh, just ignore him, James.
That was a point for me.
Jim Johnson does not have a better defensive scheme than Jimmie Johnson. Notice how I spelled that and to whom I am referring.
More points for me.
Andy Reid can work this great field position into a FG.
Can I make it four in a row?
Not quite. Almost, though.
Nathan Brice Sucks! Nathan Brice Sucks!
Some posts on the play clock from yesterday:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090111/SPORTS01/901110391/1027
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/01/10/time-for-a-play-clock-buzzer/
The first article is from a Nashville paper saying that there is usually a delay in noticing the play clock at zero, and the Titans
stadium is even worse because the play clock is up on the main scoreboard not field level. The PFT
article suggests using a buzzer similar to a shot clock violation, that would be hard to hear. I thought of installing a light in or around the goalposts like is used on backboards. But given the differences in lighting when games are played, I dont see how it would work. The best idea I saw was one of the PFT commenters suggested having the replay official buzz the same official he buzzes for a replay review.
Can I make it three in a row?
Dear Asante, nice to see you can intercept Eli Manning
-Signed,
the New England Patriots
I jumped up so high I banged my knee on my desk following that INT.
And why exactly did McNabb throw that ball to the drunk guy in the 8th row?
After that interception, I wonder if Eli's head is in this game, with the Oreo Double Stuff Racing League showdown against the Williams sisters looming...
Just sent you an e-mail on Nathan, S2N with a suggestion.
And the Eagles score! There is hope!
You suck, Nathan. That is all.
Barry Switzer looks downright creepy in that Coors Light commercial.
Ever notice how much Mike Carey gets to talk. Let the players play the game.
No, JFein, Barry Switzer is creepy.
Did Joe Buck make a tie out of Moose's suit from yesterday?
Someone talking about their mother or something.
"Turnovers happen in the context of trying to win a football game." -Joe Buck
Heavy, man... heavy.
PricelessCommentary, I think that was from Goose's jacket.
"Chippiness, a Canadian euphanism for 'GRATUITOUS VIOLENCE!'"
-Keith Olbermann, SportsCenter, 1996.
Buck just used the "chippy" word. What's the over/under on that being used today?
Late hit much?
Get me some PowerAde.
This one's going to be bad. I can tell.
Damn, Sean Considine just flattened him.
This is gonna rival Titans v. Ravens for flags.
What's G? it's the crappiest set of spots ever.
It also makes you want to switch to PowerAde.
And more chipiness...
What is G?
Something Lil' Wayne mixes with codine.
Ron Winters thinks some of the flags being thrown are a tad excessive.
James, on actual taste, PowerAde is better than Gatorade to begin with.
Of course, people like me are only using sports drinks as hangover cures (like a treadmill and weights person like me is drinking anything other than water), and Pedialyte blows sports drinks away for that purpose.
"That's a penalty flag...(As have a 5-second shot of a penalty flag)...and that's Tom Coughlin reacting to a penalty flag. One is young and one is facially red." - Joe Buck
Shouldn't troy refrain from "shooting yourself in the foot," comments when covering the Giants?
It's too bad that Caveman show was cancled... Jon Runyan could have done a cameo. He has more body hair than the 40-year old virgin.
ah McSuck
McNabb didn't vomit on the field then, but that was a pretty sick hurl on that pass.
I'm pretty surprised Andy Reid didn't challenge that, it just seems like the type of thing he would challenge. He's stepping up a notch for the post-season.
My question is why on earth would Andy Reid/Marty Morninwheg call a pass play on 2nd and 3 yards away from your own endzone?
FIRE ANDY REID NOW! And you can get rid of his sheep, Marty M., while you're at it.
Dare I say...the Tuck rule?
In college, a player making the safety sign would get flagged for excessive celebration
Frankly, I'm surprised that Andy did not throw a challenge flag on that one. Yes, I know there was nothing to challenge, but Andy can always fine something useless and/or obvious to waste a challenge and timeout on.
generous spot
And remember, the yellow line is unofficial.
Kudos on the shoot yourself in the foot comment.
We need a Coughlin face comment every now and then?
fast forward to media day in tampa, Create the caption: kevin boss meets Springsteen.
The Eagles offense are reverting back to Cincinnati/Baltimore ugliness. If they don't pick it up, this can get ugly in a hurry.
If Eli wasn't being stupid you could say the Giants have dominated them.
If the wind wasn't this bad, you could say the Giants would be winning.
does eli have a little mustache going
If Manning is on target with even half of those bombs, this game is already a blowout.
And another missed delay of game penalty! Good grief, I know that the officials have to look up to see the play clock, but when you know it's winding down, shouldn't you keep an extra eye on it?
And how many times will the Eagles lucky today? They are absolutely pressing their luck in this one.
Only Baltimore remembers what got them to the playoffs offensively.
The Giants and Panthers forgot that the pass game is not as important/effective as the running game.
And then again, JFein, the Giants are trying to avoid the whammy as it were.
Iggles have 11 yards of offense, 5 penalties, and have less than half the TOP, but lead 7 to 5. Strange games this weekend.
ill bet McSuck didnt know the saftey rule
"Freaks and Geeks" sighting on "Bones!"
Arizona must be loving watching this game. If the winner plays like this next week, Arizona may actually be in the Super Bowl. And if Eli continues to play this badly, Arizona's going to have an even easier time in their own house.
Oh yeah, Donny Mac, the refs can overturn a safety 10-minutes and 8-plays after they called it...
Both teams with clock management issues...
With Fisher on the competition committee, what are the chances that a missed delay of game becomes a reviewable play next season?
You just knew the Iggles couldn't go an entire half without burning a timeout in that fashion.
that such bull if the QBs too dumb to get it off it should be a penatly. dont let the coach call a TO
LJ Smith hung onto the ball, can we confirm this? Is this on tape?
And remember, the Mets are a bunch of chokers.
Wow, the Eagles actually have a 3rd and short situation. And we convert. Surprising....really.
Where has Andy Reid been hiding that 3rd and 1 play call all season?
he's prob hurt when they lose hell blame it on that
the false step felt true to donovan
Crap.
Some people want Mcnabb to run more. I'm biting my nails when he runs from the center's rear to westbrook's arms.
McNabb fail!
Note to both coaches in this game: Don't throw deep balls in this wind!
Wait a minute, scratch that, Tom Coughlin can continue to have Manning throw deep balls in the wind all he wants.
Nice punt by Donovan McNabb.
and there goes Jacobs.
and Hedgecock recieved multiple AP All Pro votes so people do talk about him, Troy.
nice try by Dawkins there, Over rated much
Thank god "earth" wears shoelaces.
"It happens almost bang-bang." - Joe Buck
And I don't think I've ever seen anything like that happen before.
"TAKEN" - Starring Liam Neeson and the Ravens Defense.
Karmas a bitch fat man
The refs can take that play back because of the 2 minute warning, why couldn't they have fixed the delay of game call yesterday. Somebody's got some 'splaining to do.
1st and 5 and they pass?
gloves when its cold Genius
i smell a guiness comerical
Well, I guess that issue is all relative. It's back to 2nd and 5.
How was that last play NOT picked off?
Wow.....how was that not picked?
With Coughlin standing around with his hands on his hips, I'm expecting him to start singing "I'm a Little Teapot".
Is Boothe's first name phone? I don't think Juqua Parker is ready for that jelly...
Awful playcalling.
Pass to set up the run is not the theme for the top teams.
Is that girls face red form the cold or crappy face painting ?
Why would you NOT kick a field goal here?
Damn, all of Carney's kicks have been absolutely ugly thus far? Lucky for him, 2 somehow found their way in.
carney with bases clearing triple, philly trails 8-7.
It's time to see the McNabb throw 3 incompletions, er, I mean the Eagles 2-minute offense.
What shall Andy do this time?
I believe Joe Buck just said the sideline is getting "Chippy."
Wow, Joe Buck was late in identifying that clear catch by Avant.
YAY! ANDY REID BLEW THE EAGLES TIMEOUTS! I'M SO GIDDY!....
FIRE ANDY REID!
As a Vikes fan, I now see where Brad Childress got his clock management skills.
Leave Grizzly Adams alone guys...
At the end of the 5th inning, the Philadelphia Phillies lead the New York Mets 10-7 in a very high-scoring game.
Wait, what?...
Isn't a penalty thrown out if you gain yards anyway? Why was five yards tacked on?
The first baseball comparison wasn't funny neither was the last one. Maybe you could compare it to an NHL All-Star game?
"We've seen 2 good defenses." - Curt Menefee
No, Curt, you've seen two offenses unable to execute.
@ Priceless Commentary: Nah, 10-8 would be the score at the end of the first 10 minutes of the NHL All-star game...
Over the Top, Joe Buck?
I believe the phrase describing what you just dubbed "the phone thing" is absolutely hilarious.
"That's two carries per rush."
That was just a dumb thing to average out for us to start with, and you still screw it up.
I bet Joe Buck's family even hates him. He's ruining their legacy.
Manchester United 3 Chelsea 0, final just moments ago!
COME ON YOU DEVILS!!!!!