Up 6-0 to start the second quarter, Eli Manning and the Giants started quickly with a 26-yard completion to Victor Cruz on the opening play of the quarter. That pass brought the Giants into Eagles territory for the third time on the day. For the third consecutive time, though, the Eagles defense held up in the shadow of the own end zone, forcing the Giants to settle for a third Josh Brown field goal. Brown's 33-yard field goal gave the Giants a 9-0 lead and capped a 12-play, 48-yard drive that took five minutes and 31 seconds off the clock.
The Eagles offense continued to struggle on the ensuing drive as they punted away after notching only one first down.
A dubious pass interference penalty on Bradley Fletcher helped the Giants offense continue to move the ball down the field on the next possession. A third-down blitz from Brandon Boykin created enough pressure to stop the Giants on third down, setting up another field goal attempt by Brown, who converted from 46 yards to give the Giants a 12-0 lead with 2:24 remaining in the half.
The complexion of the game then changed as the Eagles made a change at quarterback, inserting rookie Matt Barkley for Vick. Through four drives, Vick had completed six-of-nine passes for 31 yards, one interceptions and was sacked once.
After a touchback, Barkley fumbled his first shotgun snap, only to calmly pick up the ball and complete a nine-yard pass to Brent Celek. All of a sudden, the offense began to gain momentum as Barkley moved the team down the field in the red zone. Barkley completed his first six passes for 55 yards as the Eagles traveled to the Giants' 2-yard-line with just over one minutes remaining in the half. But on first-and-goal, Barkley was striped by Giants cornerback Terrell Thomas and the ball was recovered by Giants linebacker Jacquian Williams just before the ball rolled out of bounds, ending the Eagles' best offensive drive of the half.
The Giants then 21 yards before the clock ran out on the first half. Trailing 12-0, the Eagles will receive the kickoff to open the second half.
Leaders:
Eli Manning: 16-of-25, 176 yards, 84.8 quarterback rating
Peyton Hillis: Eight carries for 35 yards, three catches for 15 yards
Victor Cruz: Four catches for 58 yards
Matt Barkley: Six-of-seven, 55 yards, 99.4 quarterback rating, one lost fumble
Michael Vick: Six-of-nine, 31 yards, 32.4 quarterback rating, one interception
LeSean McCoy: Six carries for seven yards, three catches for 13 yards
DeSean Jackson: Two catches for 29 yards.
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