After starting the game in a way that most NFL coaches only dream of, the Philadelphia Eagles yet again came up short against a NFC East opponent, putting them 0-3 against the division this year.

On the third play of the game, the Eagles’ Mike Patterson deflected a pass at the line from Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning, intercepting it and running it back to the New York nine yard line.

After an incomplete pass by quarterback Donovan McNabb, the Eagles completed a direct snap to widereceiver DeSean Jackson for a nine yard run for the touchdown. Eagles up 7-0.

That would be the end of good fortune for the Birds. Manning and the Giants came right back to tie the game on a 17-yard pass to Plaxico Burress to cap off a 10-play 80-yard drive.

The Giants would score 17 unanswered points until McNabb connected on a 10-yard pass to Jason Avant. Giants 17 eagles 14.

Both teams would trade field goals before the end of the first half, taking the score to 20-17. Despite the closeness of the score, the game was not really close at all. Manning was picking apart the Eagles’ defense with ease. Brian Westbrook had just 17 rushing in the first half and McNabb was just 9-for-19.

Unfortunately, the second half would not be much different. Westbrook would just just nine yards in the second half.

The Eagles did manage to open up the scoring with a six-play drive that culminated with a beautiful catch in the back corner of the endzone by Hank Baskett, putting the Eagles up 24-20. The Giants would answer right back with a 69-yard drive of their own, scoring on a three-yard run by Brandon Jacobs.

The Giants would never look back. McNabb and the Eagles managed an impressive comeback, making the score 36-31 with a touchdown to Kevin Curtis, but were unable to close the gap.

Particularly troubling was the lack of a running game. This season, the Eagles rank 22 in the league in rushing, whereas the Giants are first, the Redskins are fourth, and the struggling Cowboys are 12. This could certainly be attributed to the fact that Westbrook is seemingly not playing 100% healthy. He has already missed two games this season with a sprained ankle and fractured ribs.

“I’m not going to say he’s 100 percent,” said coach Andy Reid. “At the same time, he’s good enough where he can be effective. I think I have the best back in the business and it’s important I get him going. I have to go back to the drawing board.”

Despite all indications to the contrary, Reid still has confidence that his team can not only make the playoffs, but win the SuperBowl.

“I know what I’ve got, as far as coaches and players. I know what we have to do. And we’re going to go do it,” he vowed.

The Eagles look to turn things around next week in Cincinnati against the 1-8 Bengals.