What We Learned From The Miracle at The New Meadowlands

Well, what can be said about the Giants collapse against the Eagles that has not already been said?

Obviously, the Eagles took a commanding lead in the NFC East, and will likely go on to win the division and lock up a first-round bye.

Here are five things that I took out of the Eagles’ “Miracle at the Meadowlands 2.”

1. Michael Vick Is the Most Valuable Player in the NFL This Year

Vick was contained for three quarters by the Giants, but then exploded in the 4th.

Personally, I believe that Tom Brady is the MVP of the league, and I think he will end up winning the award. However, if the award was given to the player that is most valuable contributor on his team, Vick runs away with the award.

His ability to single-handedly pick apart the Giants defense (the same defense that contained him for three quarters) in the fourth quarter was remarkable.

It was almost as if he wanted to be flushed from the pocket, as he briskly ran for 130 yards on 10 carries.

He willed his team back into the game, providing them the opportunities that they needed to win. 

2. Kevin Gilbride Should Be Fired As Offensive Coordinator of the Giants

Gilbride's playcalling all season has been questioned, and he struggled to put together four complete quarters against the Eagles.

For the first three quarters, the Giants offense looked unstoppable, scoring three touchdowns and marching up and down the field on an Eagles defense that they usually struggle with.

However, the offense stalled in the fourth, particularly towards the end of the quarter, when the offense couldn’t move.

Now, I have had problems with Gilbride’s playcalling for years now, and something needs to be done to shake up this team. Gilbride will likely be the scapegoat for the Giants’ collapse this season.

3. Matt Dodge Should Be Cut

Desean Jackson runs by Matt Dodge after Dodge mistakenly kicked to Jackson, arguably the most dangerous returner in the league.

Duh. In all seriousness though, he has had trouble all year.

Although this instance was not entirely his fault (the snap was high and it was hard for him to directionally punt it after that), could Coughlin really have trusted Dodge to punt the ball directionally when he has not been able to do so all season?

4. David Akers Kicked the Best Onside Kick in the History of the NFL

Akers placed the kick perfectly after catching the Giants offguard. The Giants did not even have their hands team on the field for the kickoff

Now, this isn’t too measurable of a stat, but that had to be the best (and most surprising) onside kick in the history of the league. He lined up perfectly, creating the perfect decoy, and placed it perfectly.

This was the turning point of the game, as the Giants were completely caught off guard, and were put on the defensive for the rest of the game.

5. The Eagles Will Play the Patriots in Dallas

The Eagles-Patriots matchup would put two of the highest scoring offenses in the league up against one another.

This season has not been one of parity. One week, one team looks like the best in the league; next week, they get shut out (i.e. Jets win five straight by a combined score of 150-91 then lose 9-0 to the Packers at home coming off a bye).

However, the Eagles’ ability to respond to adversity like they did on the road against the Giants was incredible.

The Eagles will march their way to a first-round bye, and then will beat either the Giants/Bears (winner of the 4/5 first-round matchup), and then will take the Michael Vick Experience back to Atlanta, where they will defeat Matty Ice and head to Dallas for a rematch of Super Bowl XXXIX, only this time, without Donovan's shaky play-calling and T.O.'s bum leg.