Even with all the missing pieces, the New York Giants and Eli Manning find new players to step-up. After trailing the Eagles 10-0 at the half of their Sunday night game at Lincoln Financial field, the Giants found a way to win in a high-scoring fourth quarter.
The Eagles started the game fast with Michael Vick tossing a 47 yard pass to receiver DeSean Jackson. The play set the Eagles up at New York's 31-yardline. After a couple rushes from LeSean McCoy and a failed third down conversation, Philadelphia settled for three to take a 3-0 lead.
The two teams exchanged punts for most of the half in till Vick led the Eagles on a last minute drive for a touchdown. Vick threw an 8 yard strike to a wide-open McCoy, who rushed it in from the 1-yardline.
Vick was 22 of 39 for 234 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions against New York.
The Giants started the third quarter with a David Wilson fumble, giving the Eagles the ball on New York's 24-yardline. The Eagles increased their lead 17-0 on Vick's 24 yard TD pass to Jeremy Maclin. Vick scrambled to his left and evaded Giants' defensive end Osi Umenyiora and threw on the run to Maclin, who tiptoed on the sideline and pulled in a beautiful reception.
Eli Manning threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns for the Giants, who simply had to gun sling their way back into the game. Rookie receiver Rueben Randle had 11 receptions for 161 yards and two touchdowns in what was basically his debut for the Giants.
The Giants finally got on the scoreboard mid-way through the third quarter on a Manning to Victor Cruz connection that went for 46 yards. Manning hit Cruz on a slant route for 15 yards and the third year receiver did the rest, slicing and dodging his way through the Eagles defense.
Philadelphia scored another touchdown in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter as LeSean McCoy broke a run for 40 yards and the score. McCoy rushed for 113 yards for the Eagles.
With the Eagles up 24-7, The Giants came out using the no-huddle and moved the ball effectively leading to a Manning to Randle 13 yard touchdown connection that put the Giants within 10 points.
Vick made an errant throw and was intercepted deep in his own territory by Giants' cornerback Jayron Hosley. Vick scrambled out of the pocket and was hit by Justin Tuck as he was throwing the ball. The pass fell short of its intended target and right into the hands of Hosley.
The New York Giants wasted no time scoring on the very next play as Manning hit Randle in the back of the end zone to make the game 24-21 with over nine minutes remaining.
The Eagles started their next drive on the Giants' 49-yardline after a brilliant kickoff return by DeSean Jackson. But Vick threw his second interception of the quarter on a dreadful pass that went straight into the hands of Giant's cornerback Corey Webster.
The Giants then took the ball down field on a timing consuming drive that ended in an Andre Brown rushing touchdown from the eight yardline, giving the Giants the lead for the first time in the game 28-24 with under a minute remaining in the game. Brown rushed for 89 yards on 21 carries in the game.
On the next Philadelphia drive, Vick continued his struggles and threw his third interception of the game to Giants' safety Kenny Phillips. The turnover effectively ended the game and the New York Giants lined up in victory formation to kneel down. Do you think Madden NFL '13 got tonight's game right? So far the record of the simulations is 4-3. Read about the inclusion of real referees in Madden NFL '14 here. Comment below.
Here is a list of Madden NFL 13's simulations for prime time games so far this season...
Week 1
Cowboys Vs. Giants
Week 2
Packers Vs. Bears
49ers Vs. Lions
Broncos Vs. Falcons
Week 3
Giants Vs. Panthers
Patriots Vs. Ravens
Week 4
Browns Vs. Ravens