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Giants, Eagles battle for edge in playoff race

Dec 17, 2006 - 3:15 PM Philadelphia (7-6) at NY Giants (7-6) Sunday 4:15 pm EST

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- Quarterback Jeff Garcia handed the New York Giants an excruciating playoff loss four years ago. On Sunday, he'll try to help the Philadelphia Eagles avenge a painful loss of their own.

The NFC East rivals are fighting for the two wild-card spots and trail first-place Dallas by one game in the division. The Eagles play at Dallas next week.

Philadelphia's playoff hopes was thought to have ended when Pro Bowl quarterback Donovan McNabb tore his ACL in a November 19 loss to Tennessee. Garcia, a Pro Bowl quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers from 2001-03, took over and lost his first start for the Eagles at Indianapolis on November 26, but bounced back with five touchdown passes in back-to-back wins over Carolina and Washington.

Garcia is probably best known for leading the 49ers from a 24-point deficit to a 39-38 win over the Giants in the wild-card round after the 2002 season.

After deciding to go with a no-huddle offense, the Niners scored the game's last 25 points in the final 17 minutes. Garcia capped the comeback with a 13-yard scoring pass to Tai Streets with one minute left.

Garcia completed 27-of-44 passes for 331 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 60 yards and another score.

Many Giants remain from that team, including running back Tiki Barber, tight end Jeremy Shockey and defensive end Michael Strahan, who is expected to miss his sixth straight game with a sprained foot ligament.

The Giants showed their ability to come from behind with a 30-24 overtime win at Philadelphia on September 17.

After being sacked eight times, Eli Manning lofted a 31-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress with 3:11 left in overtime. Manning passed for 371 yards and three touchdowns as the Giants rallied from a 24-7 fourth-quarter deficit.

McNabb threw for 350 yards and two touchdowns. During the late stages of the third quarter, Philadelphia outgained the Giants, 404-101, and appeared to be in complete control.

The comeback started when wide receiver Tim Carter recovered a fumble by Burress in the end zone with 13:40 left in the fourth quarter. Burress caught a 23-yard pass over the middle but had the ball jarred loose by Brian Dawkins. Fellow safety Michael Lewis was in position to recover the fumble, but instead knocked it into the end zone where Carter recovered it for a touchdown.

The Giants took advantage of another break when Eagles running back Brian Westbrook fumbled after being hit by Gibril Wilson and fellow safety Will Demps recovered at the Philadelphia 33. Four plays later, Manning hit Amani Toomer with a 22-yard touchdown with 3:28 left.

Jay Feely kicked the game-tying 35-yard field goal with seven seconds left after Eagles defensive tackle Trent Cole was penalized 15 yards for a personal foul.

The Giants snapped a four-game losing streak with a 27-13 victory at Carolina last week. Manning passed for three touchdowns and Barber rushed for 112 yards.

The Eagles need to contain Barber. They yielded 171 yards on 33 carries to Ladell Betts in last week's 21-19 win at Washington.