New York Giants-Philadelphia Eagles: Top Impact Players of the Night

Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles defeated Eli Manning’s New York Giants at home in the NFC East showdown. The 27-17 victory over the division rival gave the Eagles sole possession of first place in the division. As they sit 7-3, they now eye the Atlanta Falcons (8-2) for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

The Eagles' resilience and Michael Vick’s incredible improvement this season has this team in fantastic position to win a Super Bowl. It is difficult to contain the speed on this offense. They have arguably the most dangerous offense in the league as evident by their Week 10 massacre of the Washington Redskins.

The Giants are now left scratching their heads. Five turnovers are simply unacceptable in a football game. Even though they were in position to tie the game prior to the fifth turnover, there is no moral victory in this loss. They left an opportunity on the table and much to be desired.

In the second marquee game of Week 11, which players shined in prime time?

David Akers, Philadelphia Eagles

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CINCINNATI - AUGUST 20: David Akers #2 of the Philadelphia Eagles is pictured during the NFL preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium on August 20, 2010 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

It’s rare when a kicker makes the list of impact players. Usually, they’ll only make the list if they kick a game-winner or make some extravagant or athletic play.

However, without David Akers’ four field goals, the Eagles would never have been able to take the lead in the NFC East division.

Although the Giants blocked an Akers field goal before the end of the first half, and he didn’t make any from beyond 38 yards out, four out of five isn’t too shabby. Points are points. Akers’ job is to kick the ball through the uprights, and that is exactly what he did to seal the victory for his team.

Eli Manning, New York Giants

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants looks on against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

Eli Manning seemed to be the only player on the Giants offense trying to win the game. He made a couple of decent plays in the game, tossing second half touchdowns to backups Travis Beckum and Derek Hagan.

Eli also was the main reason the Giants lost the game. Manning threw three interceptions, although one was off a deflection.

The worst moment of the game for the Giants came when Manning scrambled for a first down late in the fourth quarter to put the Giants in position to attempt to tie the game. Somehow, someway, though, Manning fumbled the ball without ever being touch as he dove down to the ground.

Um…Wait…What?

Without ever being touched, Manning fumbled the ball as he, himself, dropped to the ground.

Simply embarrassing and pathetic.

Good job, Eli.

Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles

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LANDOVER, MD - NOVEMBER 15: Jeremy Maclin #18 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins on November 15, 2010 at FedExField in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

Maclin has been a monster in his sophomore season. Playing opposite of DeSean Jackson, one of the fastest and quickest players in the league, Maclin mostly works one on one with the opposing cornerback.

The Giants defense focused on containing the speed of Jackson and Michael Vick. Maclin was the biggest benefactor, as usual.

Maclin grabbed nine passes for 120 yards. He was the most consistent Eagles skill player throughout the contest.

Asante Samuel, Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Asante Samuel #22 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after an interception in the second quarter against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Lah

Samuel had Eli’s number in this contest. He caused two of the five Giants turnovers. In the second quarter, Samuel jumped a short route, which left Eli dumbfounded why he even threw the ball.

Asante Samuel found himself in the right position at the right time. As the Eagles were up 24-17, Manning attempted a deep pass to Derek Hagan which was deflected into the air and into the hands of Samuel. Although Samuel fumbled the ball back to the Giants on the return, he did recover a fumble in the game and has the two picks under his belt.

As always, Samuel was the difference-maker for the Eagles defense.

LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 07: LeSean McCoy #25 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball against the Indianapolis Colts on November 7, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles defeated the Colts 26-24. (Photo by Jim McIsaac

McCoy essentially won and iced the game for the Eagles. Although he was bottled up for most of the game, McCoy did all of his damage to the Giants defense on two plays late in the fourth quarter.

Down one point, McCoy took a shuffle pass that was inches away from being deflected by Osi Umenyiora, and maneuvered his way through the Giants defense on his way to a 50-yard touchdown to put the Eagles up, 24-17.

After the Manning fumble, McCoy went on to gut the Giants for a 40-yard dash to put the Eagles in field goal position. Akers hit the 30-yard field goal, which sealed the game.

It was McCoy who put the team on his shoulders and with two runs put the Eagles on top.

McCoy finished the night with 111 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries while adding five receptions for 29 yards.

Justin Tuck, New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 17: Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants against the Detroit Lions at New Meadowlands Stadium on October 17, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The premiere defensive playmaker for the Giants is always one of the best in the entire league.

Tuck went into the game focused and determined to put an end to this Michael Vick MVP talk.

Tuck was a one-man wrecking crew against arguably the most dangerous player in the league at the moment.

With six tackles and three sacks, Tuck seemed to do everything he could possibly do in this one. He even forced Michael Vick’s first turnover of the season when he hit Vick from behind creating the fumble. Tuck also forced another turnover in the game.

Knowing Tuck, he definitely walked away thinking he could do more, but he was the reason the Giants were able to keep it close.

Michael Vick, Philadelphia Eagles

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 21: Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles celebrates after defeating the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on November 21, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

The Giants defended Vick well in this game, better than any team has so far this season.

Still, Vick is the reason the Eagles won this game. It was once again the vision, accuracy and scrambling ability that allowed the Eagles to take control of this contest.

Six days after tossing four touchdowns, Vick was let down by the case of the dropsies. Jason Avant had an easy touchdown get away from him. Vick put the Eagles up in the first quarter after he scampered for a four yard run.

Vick dropped back in the pocket and could not find an open receiver in the tight Giants secondary. Didn’t matter. Vick ran to the right and was simply too fast to catch up to as he ran it in for six. Vick did turn the ball over for the first time this season but he led his team to victory.

Vick’s presence on the field provides the entire Eagles team with hope. They all know they will be in each and every game because Vick has improved so greatly on the field. With Vick’s incredible play this season, the Eagles have a real shot at winning the Super Bowl.