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| Prince at Lincoln Financial Field |
Thanks to our pal Frankie Centola who got us a club seat which I wound up using. The King and I went to the box office after we parked the car on the street. The Eagles usually release tickets on the day of the game. We know because we've gotten them that way in the past. With that being said, we got on line around 7PM in hopes of getting another ticket for the King to use. Shortly thereafter, they started selling some tickets a little while later for $70 & $95. The person who was in charge of keeping things under control handed out numbers for most of us that were on line. With that being said, we stood a good chance of getting one he said. Then they closed the curtain at the window for 10-15 minutes. Around 7:45PM, they reopened it and moments later, the King got one for $70. We proceeded to go in. The King decided to sit by himself because he wasn't feeling well otherwise Frankie was going to get him in with us. After the game, we met up at the car. We took Frankie home afterwards before we continued back home. We finally got home at 3AM.
As for the game we saw, the Eagles and Giants battled it out like it was a heavyweight bout. After a scoreless first quarter, the Eagles finally broke through late in the second quarter as quarterback Michael Vick hit wide receiver DeSean Jackson for a 19 yard pass completion that result in a touchdown to give the Eagles a 7-0 lead. In traditional fashion, the crowd got to sing the Eagles fight song, Fly Eagles Fly. They play it only after the Eagles score a touchdown. It's a great song that fires up the crowd.
Before the half ended the Giants got on the scoreboard thanks to a 25 yard field goal by kicker Lawrence Tynes that made it a 7-3 game at halftime.
During halftime, I stayed in my seat like Dan Baker, the legendary public address announcer told the crowd to do. The Eagles were honoring Brian Dawkins, their free safety who played in Philadelphia from 1996-2008 after being drafted in the second round of the 1996 draft out of Clemson. Upon being released in 2009, Dawkins finished his NFL career in Denver with the Broncos where he played three more years. Number 20 was known for his hard hitting and for making big plays on defense. He played 183 games for the Eagles and he tied the Eagles' all time record with 34 interceptions. He time and time again acknowledged the crowd as he spoke about his time in Philadelphia. In a touching moment, he told the crowd he wanted to hear the Eagles' fight song one more time. The crowd obliged as Brian Dawkins led the charge. He left a lasting impression on the Philly faithful like he did on the opposing receivers he covered in an Eagle uniform. His number 20 jersey won't be worn again by an Eagle. It was officially retired.
After the moving ceremony, the Eagles and Giants resumed their battle.
On the first drive of the second half, the Eagles marched down the field but the Giant defense didn't break as they held the Eagles to a 20 yard field goal by kicker Alex Henery with 9:55 left in the third quarter to extend the Eagle lead to 10-3.
On the Giants' first possession of the second half, they answered right back. They drove down the field and it culminated with a 14 yard touchdown pass to Victor Cruz from Eli Manning which tied the game at 10 with 5:28 to go in the third quarter.
The Eagles fought back again to regain the lead, 13-10 thanks to the leg of Alex Henery who connected from 48 yards out with 2:07 left in the third quarter.
The Eagles started the fourth quarter with a huge play as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie intercepted a pass by Eli Manning in the end zone five yards deep. He stupidly didn't take a knee and he attempted to run the ball out of the end zone. He got stopped at the nine yard line where the Eagles started their next drive which ended with another field goal with 9:25 left in the fourth quarter as Alex Henery put one through the uprights from 35 yards out as the Eagles took a 16-10 lead.
Eli Manning known for his fourth quarter heroics decided it was time to work his magic. With 6:45 left in the fourth quarter, he found tight end Bear Pascoe for a 6 yard touchdown pass which gave the Giants' a 17-16 lead.
The Eagles continued to persevere as they came back to retake the lead with 1:49 left in the fourth quarter as Alex Henery hit a 26 yard field goal to give the Eagles a 19-17 lead.
With Eli Manning at the helm, I knew the game was far from over. I saw a 20-19 Giant win coming in my mind. Luckily for the Eagles who got called for a few pass Interferences that put the Giants in field goal range, they got the biggest break when Ramses Barden got called for pass interference which backed the Giants up ten yards to the 36 yard line. As a result, Lawrence Tynes' 54 yard field goal came up short with ten seconds to go as the Eagles held on for the 19-17 victory.
Thank you for reading and following along.
Yours truly,
Gary Herman
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