Nick Russ here with your NFL update. Its not over for Phily. The Eagles stunned the Giants at the Meadow lands on Sunday 20-14. While the media circus surrounds the Giants about Plaxico Burress the Giants failed to hook up on Sunday. Eli Manning threw 13-27 and only 123 yards and a touch down. Meanwhile the Eagles defense held the top ranked Giants rushing to just 88 yards. Giants running back Brendon Jacobs did leave in the third quarter but it has been indicated that it is not serious. The Eagles were consistent the whole game. In a tough wind Donovan McNabb threw 19-30 for 191 yards and a touchdown. Brian Westbrook rushed for 131 yards on 33 carries and a touchdown helping the Eagles grind out the clock. The Eagles had 34 minutes in the time of possession aided by 12 of 18 on third downs. The win gives the Eagles a small chance to make a wild card run. On the other side the Giants have clinched the division thanks to a Cowboys loss. However this brings the glorious home field advantage in jeopardy for the G-men. Next week the Giants get to put the Cowboys away while the Eagles host Cleveland.
The Giants established earlier this season they were the team to beat in the NFC. So the question came up who would play the defending champs. It is shaping up to be the Carolina Panthers. Carolina sunk Tampa on Monday night 38-23. It was an offensive explosion on Carolina's part by racking up 464 yards on one of the best defenses in the league. DeAngelo Williams and Johnathan Stewart both ran over 100 yards and both had 2 touchdowns. Jake Delhomme threw 14-20 for 173 yards and a touchdown. 117 of those yards and the touchdown went to Steve Smith. Tampa Bay not being out down had 384 yards. 321 came in the air from Jeff Garcia. Garcia hooked up 24 of 38 passes and 2 touchdowns. Antonio Bryant had a career high 200 yards on 9 catches including a 52 yard pass. Tampa cant rest as they play current wild card team Atlanta. Carolina now eyes home field advantage as they control their destiny with their division. They host Denver this weekend.
In the AFC the AFC east has become very interesting. There is a three way tie with The Jets the Patriots and the Dolphins of all teams. This came off of the Jets dropping a game against the 49er's. Miami is in position to have probably the greatest one year turn-around. The Dolphins face the 49er's this weekend and next week against the Chiefs. Then if its still deadlocked it could come down to the last game when the Jets play Miami. New England faces Oakland this week before facing Arizona then wrapping it up against the Bills. The Jets host Buffalo before visiting Seattle, then the show down with the Dolphins.
Elsewhere Pittsburgh has had a nice ride in the AFC north but something has been in their rear view mirror. That thing is the Baltimore Ravens. At 9-4 the Ravens have been a force in their own in the AFC. The Steelers won the first meeting with a field goal at Heinz field. But this time its on the road in Baltimore's house. A Baltimore win would put them in charge of the division and put them as the number 2 team in the AFC. One thing is assured is that this should be one hard hitting game.
Last week I went 2-2 bringing my total to 22-18
This week I'll take San Francisco over Miami
The Giants over the Cowboys
The Buccaneers over Atlanta
And my game of the week- Pittsburgh over Baltimore in another tight one.
image courtesy of Rick Stewart
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