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Giants look to move closer to playoff berth

Dec 9, 2007 - 12:38 PM NY Giants (8-4) at Philadelphia (5-7) 1:00 pm EDTPHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The New York Giants suppressed talkabout another second-half collapse with a dramatic comebackagainst the Chicago Bears.On Sunday, the Giants can inch closer to their third straightplayoff berth when they visit the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFCEast battle.Coming off a dismal 41-17 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, theGiants were flat for three quarters against the Bears andentered the fourth quarter trailing, 16-7.A loss would have dropped New York to 1-3 in the second half andevoked further memories of last season, when it lost six of itslast eight games.But the Giants quieted that talk by ralling for a 21-16 victory.Reuben Droughns scored the winning touchdown on a 2-yard runwith 1:33 remaining.The victory left the Giants with a two-game lead over theVikings and Detroit Lions in the NFC wild card race.New York will be without leading rusher Derrick Ward, whosuffered a season-ending broken leg against the Bears afterrushing for a career-high 154 yards and a touchdown.But the Giants could get a boost from Brandon Jacobs, who is setto return after missing two games with a hamstring injury.New York is looking to complete a season sweep of Philadelphiaafter posting a 16-3 victory at Giants Stadium on September 30.The Eagles played that game without running back Brian Westbrookleft tackle William Thomas, free safety Brian Dawkins, cornerbackLito Sheppard and tight end L.J. Smith. The Giants took advantage of Thomas' absence to register an NFL record-tying 12 sacks, including six by Osi Umenyiora. Thomas' replacement, Winston Justice, gave up three of Umenyiora's sacks.Thomas has returned to the lineup, but the struggling Eagles arein danger of falling out of playoff contention.After nearly handing the New England Patriots their first loss,Philadelphia suffered a disappointing 28-24 defeat to theSeattle Seahawks last week.The Eagles led, 24-21, early in the fourth quarter, but couldnot overcome four interceptions by A.J. Feely, who made hissecond straight start in place of injured Donovan McNabb. Thedefeat left the Eagles as one of five 5-7 teams in the muddledNFC.The Eagles hope to have McNabb back against the Giants as theytry to make a belated playoff run.McNabb has not been on the practice field since spraining hisright ankle and jamming his thumb against the Miami Dolphins onNovember 18.