A Tale of Two Rivals: Eagles Beat the Giants – Bow to the Steelers

You win some; you lose some. For the Philadelphia Eagles last two games, they could have gone either way, been two wins, or two losses. The additional storyline in these almost identical, close contests is the strong rivalries with New York, their division neighbor and foe, and with Pittsburgh, who retained the gridiron bragging rights for the state of Pennsylvania. Both of these face-offs came down to the final seconds and the skill of their opponents’ kickers, leaving the Eagles fate in someone else's foot.

The 2012 Superbowl champion Giants took the trip down the NJ Turnpike for an all-out Sunday night brawl in Philly. The G-men impressed many in their last game against the Panthers. They displayed plenty confidence, despite the fact that Philly had won seven of the last eight match-ups. In all frankness based on what I’d seen of the Eagles’ play this season, (although I would never admit this in a court of law) I expected a far tougher fight to keep their division rival out of the win column, especially since it’s no secret that the Birds have not been playing their best football.

Philly’s offense took the field with the intent to protect the ball and play a focused game. Eagles’ fans exhaled a little as QB Michael Vick managed to hold onto the ball for entire game. It was great to finally see them play a turnover free game! It was also refreshing to see plenty of play from RB LeSean McCoy – thanks Andy. However, this game belonged to the defense. The defense for both teams meant business in this low scoring thriller that had an outcome about as fluky as the flip of a coin. After a string of penalties on the final drive from both teams, it came down to an expiring clock and the Giants’ kicker to decide the game. Luck was with the Eagles as the Giants got two attempts at the kick, since Reid called a time out and iced their kicker. By some magnificent miracle, the kick was short and the Eagles won it 19-17.

Ironically, the game against Pittsburgh was like déjà vu. This time it was the Eagles turn on the PA Turnpike. Again, another defensively dominated game, a close final score with another kick at the end to determine the winner; except this time it was not a clean game nor did it end in the Eagles favor. There were so many similarities between this game and the one against the Giants that it was almost eerie. The biggest difference was the Eagles return to Turnover City.  Vick was a hot mess. He fumbled the ball on the one-yard-line keeping the Birds from putting their first points on the board. Instead it was a recovery for the Steelers and a preview of what was to come. In all, Vick turned the ball over four times before it came down to a field goal to determine the winner. This time there were no time-outs left for Reid to use to shake the Steelers’ kicker. There were no penalties to back him up for a nearly impossible kick. No, all the opportunities for them to pull this one out were squandered earlier in the game. Steelers won it 16-14.

Being the eternal optimist and die-hard Eagles fan that I am, I still see that sterling lining. Philadelphia leads the NFC East and no one is seriously threatening that reign right now. However, I am extremely concerned about the state of the Eagles offensive line and Mike Vick’s turnover issues. I’m hoping they have it together against the desperate Detroit Lions, who are next on the schedule. But at the end of the day, I still believe in Green.

Helen “Love My Eagles” Little