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RECAP
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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.
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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
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Jim Fassel says his defense is playing well.
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