For the first three quarters, Eli and the Giants weren’t playing the prettiest of games, to put it mildlyPhilly was ahead by 17 points and all signs pointed to a two game division lead for Donovan McNabb and the Eagles.  The Birds had held Manning to a lonesome touchdown which came on a 37 yarder to Toomer in the first quarter.

After a fumble by Eagles running back Brian Westbrook, the Giants were able to rally and score an insane ten points with four minutes left in regulation.  Manning threw his second touchdown of the day to Toomer to cut the deficit to three.  After the Eagles missed an opportunity to close it out, Manning got the ball on his own twenty with a minute left and no timeouts.  His team was able to drive down to the Eagles 32 with just seconds remaining.  A personal foul penalty called on Eagle defensive end Trent Cole moved the Giants 15 yards closer to a game tying field goal.  With just seven seconds remaining, Giant kicker Jay Feely booted one through the uprights to force an improbably overtime.

The extra period lasted a little over six minutes with both teams getting a crack at breaking the tie.  On the Giants second possession, things weren’t looking good when they started things off at their own 15.  Taking advantage of a tired and weak Eagle defensive front, the Giants pounded the ball eight times gaining over forty yards.  Eli Manning orchestrated a drive going 5-5 which was finalized with a heroic 3rd and 11 touchdown to Plaxico Burress out jumping Sheldon Brown in the end zone.  The game was finally over.  The Eagles did get the last laugh though delivering a last second win of their own, when the two teams met for a third time in the first round of the NFC playoffs.

Regardless, 2006 Week 2 will remain a turning point in Mr. Manning’s young career.  He battled blitzes, withstood the pressure, and even was sacked eight times.  The first three quarters were as ugly as could be, but much to the chagrin of hostile Eagle fans, Eli proved his worth, and orchestrated one of the greatest comebacks the NFL has ever seen.