Throwback Game of the Week - NYG @ PHI

History Published on : 11/4/2009

Week 8: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants have squared off every season since the Eagles joined the NFL in 1933. In fact, other than in 1967 and 1969 when they only played one game against each other, these division foes have met twice each year in the regular season. The Giants and Eagles have also played one another in four playoff games, three of which have occurred in the past decade.

The Giants lead the regular season series 79-67-2 and the clubs have split the postseason matchups.

First Time:
Oct. 15, 1933 –The Eagles took the field for the first time ever and were annihilated by an overpowering Giants team led by rookie quarterback Harry Newman. The Giants jumped out to an early 21-0 first quarter led before the starters gave way to replacements. The onslaught continued as New York shutout Philly 56-0.

Last Time (Reg. Season):
Dec. 7, 2008 – The Eagles, led by QB Donovan McNabb’s passing in windy conditions and RB Brian Westbrook’s 200-plus yards of offense, kept its playoff hopes alive with a 20-14 win. The Giants loss temporarily delayed them from clinching the division. The teams met again in the playoffs.

Hall of Fame Members
Only the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers have more members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame than the Giants. There are 17 long-time members of the Giants franchise who’ve been enshrined in Canton including the first father/son pair (Tim Mara and Wellington Mara). Nine other enshrinees spent a brief portion of their careers with the Giants. The Eagles have nine Hall of Famers who spent a majority, if not all, of their careers with Philly. Eight other enshrinees played briefly for the Eagles.

Records found in the NFL Record Book
The Giants have finished first a record 22 times since joining the NFL in 1925. The initial first-place finish came in 1927 before the NFL split to divisions in 1933.
Philadelphia owns the NFL record for most rushing first downs in a single game with 25. They achieved the mark against the Washington Redskins on Dec. 2, 1951.

Sikahema had two long kickoff returns that set up Eagles TDs in the first half before setting a franchise record with an 87-yard punt return in the third quarter.

Throwback Game
Nov. 22, 1992
Although they trailed the 9-2 Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles (7-4) and Giants (6-5) were very much in the hunt in the NFC East heading into this Week 12 matchup. New York was looking to rebound from its first loss in four weeks after falling to the Broncos in Denver the week earlier. Philadelphia was coming off a three-point loss to the Green Bay Packers the previous weekend.

The Giants jumped out to a 20-6 lead in the first half before the Eagles came flying back. Linebacker Seth Joyner intercepted a pass and returned it 43 yards for a score with just over nine minutes to play in the half. It sparked a rally of 34 unanswered points by the Eagles as they built a 40-20 lead. The scoring rally included two key touchdowns by special teams. Linebacker Ken Rose blocked a punt and returned it 3 yards for a score. Later Vai Sikahema set an Eagles record, one that still stands today, for longest punt return when he fielded the ball in the third quarter and raced 87 yards for what turned out to be the game-clinching touchdown.

Philadelphia 0 20 20 7 - 47
New York Giants 10 10 7 7 - 34
A– 68,153
 
NYG – FG Bahr 35
NYG – Meggett 14 pass from Hostetler (Bahr kick)
PHI – Walker 21 pass from Cunningham (kick failed)
NYG – Meggett 92 kickoff return (Bahr kick)
NYG – FG Bahr 44
PHI – Joyner 43 interception return (Ruzek kick)
PHI – Walker 11 run (Ruzek kick)
PHI – Byars 38 pass from Cunningham (Ruzek kick)
PHI – Rose 3 blocked punt return (Ruzek kick)
PHI – Sikahema 87 punt return (kick failed)
NYG – McCaffrey 18 pass from Graham (Bahr kick)
PHI – Sherman 30 run (Ruzek kick)
NYG – Hampton 2 run (Bahr kick)


Game Program Cover | Official Gamebook (PDF)

More Giants & Eagles on Profootballhof.com
Team histories
New York | Philadelphia

Photos
Eagles Hall of Famers
Giants Hall of Famers
Eagles running backs
Giants defensive backs

Artifacts
McNabb on Madden cover
Van Brocklin jersey
Wellington Mara’s camera
Tiki Barber’s record jersey

Some other stories on Giants and Eagles
Eagles shared single-game interception mark
Greatest Game Ever Played featured Giants
Philly beats Washington in biggest opening weekend shootout
Van Buren once held career rushing mark
Giants played on Dec. 7, 1941
Eagles played in first televised NFL game
Miracle at the Meadowlands

 

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