SportsDirect Inc. staff
Dec 30, 2012
Giants 42, Eagles 7: Eli Manning threw four of his career-high five touchdowns in the first half, but host New York was eliminated from postseason consideration after Chicago defeated Detroit.
The Giants (9-7) held up their end of the bargain in Week 17, but needed losses by Chicago, Minnesota and Dallas in order to secure the sixth seed in the NFC playoffs. After being outscored 67-14 in its last two contests, New York didn't waste any time snapping a five-game home losing skid to the Eagles (4-12) by sending them to their 11th loss in 12 games.
Rueben Randle reeled in a 3-yard touchdown pass over the middle to open the scoring and doubled the advantage by outleaping cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha along the sideline for a 37-yard score. Manning then connected with rookie David Wilson on a wheel route out of the backfield for his first three-touchdown quarter in six years.
Ahmad Bradshaw, who amassed 148 yards from scrimmage, rumbled in from a yard out in the second quarter before Victor Cruz's 24-yard touchdown gave New York a 35-7 lead.
Michael Vick, who is expected to be joining coach Andy Reid on the way out of Philadelphia, threw for just 197 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Reid has been preparing for his departure from the City of Brotherly Love, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The veteran coach, who has guided the Eagles for 14 seasons, has been calling around the league in an attempt to piece together a staff. ... New York FB Henry Hynoski's 1-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter was his first career score. ... The Giants scored on their first four possessions of a game for the first time in over three years. They had done the same versus Oakland on Oct. 11, 2009.