Sunday, Sep. 10 1:00pm ET
Collins goes 21-for-29 for Giants
 
  RECAP | BOX SCORE

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The New York Giants have something they've been missing for years: a 2-0 start and a diverse offense.

Kerry Collins passed for 220 yards and two touchdowns Sunday as the Giants defeated Philadelphia 33-18.

Giants quarterback Kerry Collins led a well-balanced attack against the Eagles on Sunday.

The Giants hadn't opened with two wins since 1994.

"We showed we can run or throw," said Amani Toomer, who had seven receptions for 80 yards and one touchdown. "We kept them off-balance. In years past, teams knew we were going to pass the ball on third-and-medium. Now we can do both."

One week after Thunder and Lightning -- Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne -- had a successful running debut, the Giants proved they also have a passing game.

Collins was 21-of-29, including several key third-down conversions as New York dominated the game, controlling the ball for nearly 40 minutes.

"I feel better than I've ever felt," Collins said. "I have a grasp of the offense. It's a fun offense. I'm much more confident."

Barber, coming off a career-high 144-yard game against Arizona, had 96 yards on 11 carries, including a touchdown. Dayne had 50 yards on 21 attempts.

The Giants have won seven straight against the Eagles, whose expectations jumped when they beat Dallas 41-14 in their opener.

"The beauty of this offense is we can convert in any situation," Barber said. "There's always a playmaker out there."

Philadelphia, which had 425 yards against the Cowboys, went three-and-out on its first three possessions, and in four of five possessions in the first half.

By that time, New York had a 20-3 lead. The Giants scored twice in the final minute of the second quarter to break open a 6-3 game.

A 25-yard pass from Collins to Toomer made it 13-3 with a minute remaining. The play capped an eight-play, 55-yard drive, and came after a 33-yard field goal by David Akers.

Philadelphia went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, and the Giants took over at the Eagles 42.

Three plays later, Barber ran in from 31 yards out to make it 20-3.

"They totally dominated Dallas and to come back and do it two weeks in a row was a tough task," Collins said.

New York's defense completely shut down Philadelphia's running game. Duce Staley, who ran for 201 yards against Dallas, gained just 11, including 4 yards in the first half.

The Giants consistently put pressure on Donovan McNabb and sacked him three times.

"A lot of people said our defense was ready for a funeral. I wouldn't order the hearse yet," Giants coach Jim Fassel said.

The Eagles didn't get a first down until McNabb juked four tacklers for a 17-yard run midway through the second quarter.

A 31-yard pass to Chad Lewis followed the run and put the Eagles at the 4. But McNabb was sacked, the drive stalled and Philadelphia settled for Akers' 33-yarder.

"We were so close to getting the ball in the end zone and we're capable of getting it in there. We were very upset about that," said McNabb, who was 19-of-33 for 219 yards and one touchdown.

The Eagles moved the ball effectively on the first possession of the second half, but again settled for a field goal. A 29-yarder by Akers cut it 20-6.

The Giants came right back as Collins connected with Ike Hilliard for a 30-yard touchdown that made it 27-6 with 5:08 left in the third.

"I can't say enough about Kerry," Hilliard said. "He made some great reads and some great throws."

Philadelphia scored its first touchdown on a 15-yard run by McNabb that included a nifty spin move around a defender. But the extra point was blocked and New York led 27-12.

"The point was made. There's 14 more games left," Eagles coach Andy Reid said. "We're not going to stick our head in the hole, just like we didn't stick our chest out last week."

Brad Daluiso hit field goals of 32, 36, 44 and 23 yards for the Giants.

Punter Sean Landeta kept Philadelphia in the game early with punts of 59, 54 and 52 yards.

Game notes
Fassel is 7-0 lifetime against Philadelphia. ... The Giants had lost the second game of the season three straight years under Fassel after winning the opener. ... The Eagles, who led the NFL with 46 takeaways last season, didn't get any. ... Staley had seven catches for 58 yards to lead the Eagles for the second straight week. ... The Giants said they didn't drink any pickle juice, which the Eagles used last week to prevent cramping.
 


ALSO SEE
NFL Scoreboard

NY Giants Clubhouse

Philadelphia Clubhouse


Week 2 wrap-ups

Week 2 infirmary report

TJ's Take on Week 2

Week 2 stats leaders

Prime Time Players


AUDIO/VIDEO
audio
 Jim Fassel says his defense is playing well.
wav: 175 k
RealAudio: 14.4 | 28.8 | 56.6