While fans only see the end result of a week's worth of preparation on Sundays, wide receiver DeSean Jackson's 19-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter of the 19-17 win over the New York Giants was a prime example of how important the meetings and film study are to a team's success.
Jackson lined up in the slot to the left of quarterback Michael Vick. Lined up across from Jackson was Giants cornerback Corey Webster. Vick took the snap out of the shotgun with running back LeSean McCoy to his left and fullback Stanley Havili to his right. Jackson got an inside release against Webster which caught the attention of safety Antrel Rolle. Jackson looked back at Vick and the two Giants were thinking it was a post route. However, Jackson turned and actually ran a corner route to the back, left corner of the end zone. McCoy did a good job to blocking linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka, who rushed from the line of scrimmage out of a two-point stance, and Vick delivered a perfect ball to Jackson for the score.
"All week in practice, we saw how they that on film," Jackson said.
Jackson said the play was initially supposed to be called one play prior on second down, but they got the green light on third-and-9 from the Giants' 19-yard line.
"It was great execution on that play," Jackson said.
It was the one successful red zone trip for the Eagles as Jackson finished with six catches for 99 yards and the touchdown. It was his sixth career touchdown against the Giants. In five of his last eight games against New York, Jackson has had at least 75 receiving yards. Jackson knows that if they took better care of their business in the red zone, they wouldn't have had to sweat Lawrence Tynes' 54-yard field goal attempt.
"Honestly, I feel we left a lot of points out there. Getting in the red zone three times and coming out with just three points is definitely very frustrating," Jackson said. "We felt a couple of times we had some things going, but we weren't able to uphold it and keep it going. We just kept letting them stay in the game. It was a great game. Anytime we play the Giants, this is what we have to expect; that it's going to go all the way down to the end.
"To be first in the division, we have to execute and come through on things like that."
With a 3-1 start and a 1-0 record in the division, the Eagles have the jump start they need. Now, like Jackson acknowledges, they must seal the deal when the opportunity arises.
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