New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles analysis: Studs And Duds

The Philadelphia Eagles continue to have the New York Giants' number. The defending champions have dropped eight of their last nine meetings against the Birds after a 19-17 loss Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field.

"We knew it was going to be a game that was going to come down to the fourth quarter," said Eli Manning. "We knew we were going to have to earn every yard. They're a good defense, they're a good team. We had opportunities, we were close."

Such opportunities were precious on both sides, and the margin between Sunday night's Studs and Duds.

STUDS
LeSean McCoy
"Shady" had six carries for two yards at the half. He then ran for 56 yards on consecutive carries in the third third quarter to finish with 123 for the game.

Michael Vick
Ended any doubt (for now) he's the starting quarterback in Philadelphia. Vick was 19-of-30 for 241 yards and a touchdown. He threw scoring passes in the final two minutes in one-point wins in the season's first two weeks and piloted the Eagles 75 yards on 12 plays late in the fourth for the game's winning field goal.

Domenik Hixon
Hixon (six catches, 114 yards) was "next man up" in the absence of Hakeem Nicks.

DeSean Jackson
The Eagles' star wideout had six grabs for 99 yards and a touchdown while turning Giants cornerback Corey Webster inside out on numerous occasions in man coverage

Victor Cruz
Led the Giants with nine catches along with 109 yards and a touchdown that tied the game in the third.

DUDS
Ramses Barden
Ten days after a career night in Charlotte, Barden was held to two catches for 36 yards. His pass interference penalty on the Giants' final drive with less than 20 seconds left turned Lawrence Tynes' field-goal attempt from 44 to 54 yards. Tynes missed and the game was over.

Eli Manning

Manning completed 24-of-42 passes for 309 yards, two TDs and that crucial interception. He accepted the blame for the throw that forced Barden to commit the penalty.

The running game
Shades of last season as the Giants totaled only 57 yards on 19 carries on the ground, an average of 3.0. Andre Brown, one of the heroes in Carolina, had five attempts for 14 yards.

TURNING POINT
Manning's interception on the first play of the fourth quarter killed the momentum generated by his 30-yard pass to Cruz on fourth-and-1. The Eagles then drove 74 yards on 11 plays for a field goal that made it 16-10. Sure, the Giants eventually took the lead, but the 10-point swing proved devastating.

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