Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo learned quite a bit during his eight years as a defensive assistant under Eagles' coordinator Jim Johnson. He unleashed his knowledge on his former employer on a Sunday night in front of a national television audience.

Donovan McNabb was sacked 12 times, a mark that tied an NFL single-game record, and Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress hauled in a 9-yard touchdown pass to lead eventual NFC Champion New York to a 16-3 win.

New York's defense came out firing on all cylinders, and it quickly became apparent that the Eagles were going to struggle with five starters on the bench with various injuries. In the week leading up to the game, the potential absences of running back Brian Westbrook and tight end L.J. Smith seemed destined to hamstring an offense that had exploded for 56 points the week before, but it was another injury that proved to be more costly.

Without the services of left tackle William Thomas, second-year tackle Winston Justice made his first NFL start and was matched up against Pro Bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora. The ability to mix up moves of speed and strength allowed Umenyiora to gather a total of six sacks. Note that not all of them were against Justice. Spagnuolo blitzed heavily and often. He had no problem sending anyone, whether it was middle linebacker Antonio Pierce in the "A" gap or cornerback Aaron Ross from the outside, a trademark of Johnson's schemes. When the Eagles were forced to pass, Spagnuolo would lineup four defensive ends to rush McNabb. The Eagles offensive line was overmatched, not able to consistently keep drives alive.

Penalties also impacted the Eagles' cause. Philadelphia was flagged 15 times for a total of 132 yards. The Eagles offense gained a total of 190 yards.

The defense held its own as it only surrendered 10 points; linebacker Kawika Mitchell recovered a McNabb fumble and returned it 17 yards for the games' other touchdown. Middle linebacker Omar Gaither halted a potential Giants scoring drive when he read that tight end Jeremy Shockey was running a stutter-and-go route and stepped in front of Eli Manning's pass to make an interception.

But the Eagles offense couldn't turn the ensuing drive - or any other drive on this night - into seven points, and Philadelphia fell to 1-3.