Phil Sheridan: Vick and Jackson combine to write script of a brand-new miracle

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - It's OK if you didn't quite believe what you were seeing at New Meadowlands Stadium Sunday afternoon. Neither did the Eagles.

And anyway, isn't that what miracles are - events too astonishing for your senses to take in?

The Eagles, who created a miracle or two in the adjacent parking lot here, left an indelible mark on the New York Giants' brand-new stadium in their 38-31 win. They were losing a football game, and badly, for 52 minutes. Then the track meet started, and the Eagles won that in astonishing and unforgettable fashion.

Brent Celek: 65 yards for a touchdown. Michael Vick: sprints of 35, 33, and 22 yards on back-to-back touchdown drives to tie it. DeSean Jackson: 65 yards for the first punt return for a game-ending touchdown in the history of the NFL.

"I can't name another one of these," Eagles coach Andy Reid said, just minutes after Jackson's 65-yard dash into the pantheon. "This is exciting. It's a great day to be a Philadelphia writer."

Trouble is, Andrew, this one feels an awful lot like fiction. How do you explain the way the Eagles fell behind by 24-3 at halftime and by 31-10 in the fourth quarter? How do you explain the way Vick took over the game in a way that should be impossible in the NFL? How does anyone explain Giants punter Matt Dodge kicking the ball directly to the most dangerous player in the stadium with just 14 seconds left?

How do you describe Jackson dropping the punt, turning around, then taking off through traffic and into open field on his right? How could Jason Avant, a wide receiver, hit Giants linebacker Zak DeOssie hard enough to decleat him and create a direct path to the end zone? How is any of this possible?

Yes, it is Christmas week. So maybe a Santa-size head coach and an elf-size player are capable of magic at this time of year. That's as good an explanation as any.

When Jackson completed his goofy but sort-of-brilliant, clock-killing detour along the goal line and stepped into the end zone, the Eagles had seized control of the NFC East. By the time he threw the ball deep into the corner section of bleachers, the play was already halfway to legend.

"That man is one of the most incredible athletes I've ever seen in my life," said Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel.

No argument here.