A New Miracle at the New Meadowlands

Let's take a page from Al Michaels here -- "Do you believe in miracles?"

Somehow, someway the Eagles scored four TDs in less than 7:30 to comeback for an improbable 38-31 win at the Eagles first game at the New Meadowlands Stadium.

QB Michael Vick went beast mode in the fourth quarter and DeSean Jackson made an amazing 65-yard punt return as time expired to complete an amazing 21-point fourth quarter comeback.

"By far, this is one of the greatest comebacks of my career, being down by such a huge deficit," Vick said.

After the beleaguered Eagles defense stopped Eli Manning and the Giants with 14 seconds left on the clock, Giants rookie punter Matt Dodge inexplicitly punted a short line drive 36-yard punt to D-Jax instead of out of bounds. Jackson fumbled the ball and took a few steps back before recovering and bursting ahead for a Jazz-like 65-yard punt return to clinch the win with no time left on the clock. It was the first time in NFL history that a game ended on punt return for TD, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.

"That was a dream come true," Jackson said after the game.

The play redeemed Jackson who had fumbled earlier in the second half on a play that appeared he was down by contact. And it also likely bailed out his coach Andy Reid who for some reason didn't challenge the play.

Eagles receiver Jeremy Maclin also made up for a fumble that could have possible been reversed with two second half touchdowns. In total the second-year wideout had seven grabs for 52 yards.

Another player who was redeemed Sunday was Brent Celek. The Eagles tight end was tagged for 20 yards worth of penalties and looked destined for another dud game when Vick found him for a 65-yard TD that started the Eagles comeback.

On the ensuing kickoff the Birds caught the G-Men sleeping as David Akers perfectly placed an onside kick that was recovered by Riley Cooper. Five plays later Vick ran it in to cut the Giants lead to seven.

Vick looked like the Michael Vick of old as he rushed for 130 yards and a score. But he also did it with his arm as he overcame a slow start to pass for 242 yards, 3 TDs and 1 interception on 21-for-35 passing.

His final play of the game came with 1:45 left on the clock when he found a wide-open Jeremy Maclin for a 13-yard score.

The 10-4 Eagles sit alone atop the NFC East after sweeping the second-place Giants (9-5). The Birds can clinch the division crown with a win next Sunday against Minnesota.

The opposing coaches had different views of the Eagles comeback.

"I've never been around anything like this in my life," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said. "It's about as empty as you get to feel in this business, right there."

"This is a special one," Reid said. "It was an exciting one. It was as exciting for you guys. It was a great day to be a Philadelphia writer."

We agree Andy.

Despite the win, the Eagles had a loss. This time rookie safety Nate Allen was likely lost for the season after he ruptured his right knee patellar tendon late in the first half.

The late comeback -- the first time in NFL history that a team scored 28 points in less than eight minutes to comeback and win in regulation -- was reminiscent of Nov. 19, 1978 at the old Giants Stadium when the Giants fumbled while trying to run out the clock to preserve a five-point lead. With 20 seconds left Eagles defensive back Herman Edwards recovered the fumble and rumbled 26 yards to give the Birds a 19-17 win. The play was dubbed the "Miracle at the Meadowlands."

New Meadowlands Stadium -- a new miracle.

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