Giants End Eagles Season

If the Eagles had a small firing burning somewhere inside them, some last glimmer of hope that the playoffs were a possibility coming into this game against the Giants, that flame has no officially been extinguished. A day that seemed so promising after a 68-yard touchdown drive on their first possession ended with a miracle kick hitting the upright and falling harmlessly to the new turf at the Linc. 16-13 Giants, that can be the headline of the obituary for the 2007 Philadelphia Eagles.

After a two-week hiatus, Donovan McNabb returned to the lineup with a spring in his step. He looked more mobile than he has at any time this season, he looked healthier than he has since 2004. It didn't matter. The result was the same. With McNabb under center, the receivers do not get involved, the tight ends do not get involved, in fact, Brian Westbrook is the only Eagle who can accomplish anything on the offensive side of the ball.

Is this McNabb's fault? I don't know. McNabb didn't throw any interceptions, but is that because he makes good decisions, or because he NEVER makes risky decisions, even when he should. Does he err on the side of caution to the point where he passes on viable opportunities because they may result in turnovers? I have no idea. All I know is that when Feeley or Garcia were under center for this team, Reggie Brown and Kevin Curtis got open (or at least open enough to get the ball thrown to them.) When McNabb is back there, they disappear. I've talked about what I think is the cause of this Houdini, but the bottom line is that it doesn't really matter what the cause is. The result is an Eagles offense under-performing miserably and losing games. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The Eagles have reached that point with Donovan McNabb and this team.

Again, feel sorry for Brian Westbrook. His first fumble in 559 touches set up the go-ahead score for the Giants. He's probably taking it hard, but he's really this team's entire offense. He carried the ball 20 times for 116 yards today, caught 5 more for another 38 yards. 154 total yards for Westbrook, 152 for the rest of the team.

Akers had a chance to send the game into overtime with a 57-yarder. He crushed the kick, it had the distance to be good from about 65, but it hit the upright. If that doesn't sum up this season, I don't know what does.

Player of The Game: Westbrook
Team Record: 5-8