As Philadelphians switched on their televisions yesterday, every honest fan in town (and I know you're out there somewhere) thought the same thing: They had no idea at all what to expect at 1 p.m.
The Eagles have played well on occasion and horribly on others. Rarely have they offered just a routine effort.
So, a game at the Meadowlands, against a streaking Super Bowl champion, in a stiff wind and against a team that is 6-0 at home seemed beyond the Birds' grasp.
But they had had nine days to rest since their last game and, as the whole nation seems to know, the Giants were without their Eagles-killer, Plaxico "Jesse James" Burress.
So. Maybe. But nobody really knew for sure, and virtually nobody even had a clue.
FIRST QUARTER
GIANTS: The Eagles took the wind in the first quarter, giving the Giants the ball. After two quick first downs, the Giants went for it on fourth and 4, but Eli Manning's pass to Domenik Hixon was broken up.
Drive: 4 minutes and 28 seconds, 7 plays, 41 yards. Ball turned over on downs.
EAGLES: As with virtually every other opening drive this season, the Birds went three plays and out.
Drive: 1:20, 3 plays, 4 yards. Punt.
GIANTS: Three-and-out.
Drive: 1:30, 3 plays, 2 yards. Punt.
EAGLES: One first down, then out.
Drive: 3:11, 5 plays, 15 yards. Punt.
GIANTS: Three-and-out.
Drive: 2:13, 3 plays, 9 yards. Punt.
EAGLES: A 32-yard pass from Donovan McNabb to Kevin Curtis set up the game's first score, a tremendous 51-yard field goal by David Akers as the quarter ended.
Drive: 2:18, 6 plays, 29 yards. 51-yard field goal.
Eagles, 3-0
SECOND QUARTER
GIANTS: A 23-yard run by Brandon Jacobs keyed a drive that carried to the Eagles' 29, where John Carney's 47-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by Trent Cole, the first of a day's worth of great plays by special teams on both sides.
Drive: 5:34, 10 plays, 56 yards. Blocked field goal.
EAGLES: The Eagles' offense responded to the defense's great effort in typical fashion. Three-and-out.
Drive: 2:06, 3 plays, 5 yards. Punt.
GIANTS: Both teams continued to read from the same script.
Drive: 1:07, 3 plays, 5 yards. Punt.
EAGLES: In the half's waning minutes, the Eagles mounted the first sustained drive of the game by either team.
McNabb hit Curtis for 10 yards, then fans were treated to the rare spectacle of L.J. Smith's making two consecutive receptions for first downs (10 and 12 yards), and fighting for yards after each catch.
