Philadelphia, PA – Alex Henery's 26-yard field goal with less than two minutes remaining proved to be the difference, as the Philadelphia Eagles held off the New York Giants, 19-17, in an NFC East clash Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field.
Henery's fourth field goal of the game gave Philadelphia a two-point lead late in the fourth, but Eli Manning led the Giants deep into Eagles' territory with the help of a pair of pass interference calls.
Lawrence Tynes then had a chance to win the game with a 54-yard field goal with less than 10 seconds remaining, but his kick fell short of the uprights and the Eagles escaped with the victory.
Manning finished 24-of-42 for 309 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while Victor Cruz hauled in nine passes for 109 yards and a score for the Giants (2-2), who dropped to 0-2 in division play for the first time since 1996.
"We put ourselves in position a couple times to win the game and we didn't get it done," Giants coach Tom Coughlin admitted.
Eagles quarterback Michael Vick didn't turn the ball over after giving the ball away nine times over the first three weeks. He went 19-of-30 for 241 yards and a score, and added six carries for 49 yards.
LeSean McCoy rushed 23 times for 123 yards and DeSean Jackson caught six passes for 99 yards and a touchdown for the Eagles (3-1), who have won eight of the last nine matchups against the Giants, including the playoffs.
The Eagles also became the first team in NFL history to earn each of their first three wins by two points or less.
"Any time you can win an NFC East game in this manner against what I consider a great football team is a compliment to the team, to the coaches, the players and the fans," Eagles coach Andy Reid said.
Manning's final drive started at the New York 35 after David Wilson returned the kickoff 37 yards.
Following a Cruz 9-yard catch that set up a 4th-and-1, Manning lofted a pass for Ramses Barden, but Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie was whistled for pass interference to give New York a new set of downs.
On 3rd-and-10 later in the drive, Nnamdi Asomugha was called for another pass interference to provide the Giants with a first down at the Philadelphia 27.
New York quickly gave the yards back as Manning went deep for Barden, who was called for offensive pass interference to push the Giants back to the 36-yard line.
"I thought it was on (Asomugha), but what happens happens," Barden said of the pass interference call. "It's done and there's no looking back."
Manning then threw an incomplete passes to Domenik Hixon and with no timeouts, Coughlin sent Tynes out for a 54-yard attempt with 10 seconds remaining.
Tynes attempt sailed wide left, but Reid called time out just before the snap, giving Tynes one more shot. The veteran's second kick was on line, but fell just short of the uprights.
After the teams exchanged punts in the early going, the Eagles finally broke through late in the second quarter when Vick converted a 3rd-and-4 with a 4- yard scramble before finding Jackson three plays later in the back of the end zone for a 19-yard scoring strike and a 7-0 lead.
Tynes added a 25-yard field goal just before halftime to send the Giants into the locker room facing a 7-3 deficit.
Philadelphia opened the second half with a 9-play, 78-yard scoring drive that was highlighted by a 34-yard run from McCoy, followed by his 22-yard reception down to the New York 1.
But New York's defense stood tall, stuffing McCoy on three consecutive runs before Henery nailed a 20-yard field goal to make it a 10-3 margin.
Wilson returned the ensuing kick 45 yards to set the Giants up with good field position. Ahmad Bradshaw ripped off three straight runs for a pair of first downs before Manning hit Hixon for 13 yards.
On 3rd-and-3, Manning found Cruz for a 14-yard touchdown to knot the game at 10-10.
The Eagles responded with a 48-yarder from Henery, but Wilson again broke free for a 53-yard return to set the Giants up in Philadelphia territory.
Facing a 4th-and-1 at the Eagles' 40-yard line, Manning fielded a low snap and dumped a pass off to Cruz, who scampered 30 yards down to the 10.
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Manning lofted a pass into the corner of the end zone that was intercepted by Rodgers-Cromarie, who returned it to the Philadelphia 9.
Vick and McCoy then led the Eagles deep into New York territory, but the Eagles settled for a 35-yard field goal from Henery to extend the lead to 16-10.
Manning found Barden for 31 yards on the second play of the Giants' next drive and then hit Hixon for 41 more down to the Philadelphia 8.
Two plays later, Manning connected with Bear Pascoe at the goal line for a 6- yard touchdown strike to give the Giants a 17-16 edge, but the Eagles answered with a 12-play, 75-yard drive, resulting in Henery's go-ahead field goal.
Game Notes
Former Eagles safety Brian Dawkins had his No. 20 retired by the club prior to the game after he signed a one-day ceremonial contract with the team ... The Eagles have a six-game winning streak against NFC East opponents ... Philadelphia is 43-22-1 following a loss under Reid ... New York wide receiver Hakeem Nicks missed the game with a knee injury ... Giants safety Kenny Phillips left the game in the first quarter with a sprained right knee.
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