words_Brandon Richard

In Sunday’s game against the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick played an extremely modest football game. The cannon of an arm didn’t really get going, Vick only throwing for 121 yards, a touchdown and a pick. Explosive play-making was contained for the most part, the vaunted scrambler only finding 36 yards on the ground. All of Vick’s struggles paid dividends for the New York Giants, who were up 31-3 and surely on their way to having control over the NFC East. At least, that was the story through three and a half quarters.

Pinned on their own 25-yard line and facing a 28-point deficit, Vick would start a rally for the ages. After completing a short 10-yard pass to wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, Vick found tight end Brent Celek deep for a 65-yard touchdown pass. After kicker David Akers added an extra point, the Eagles found themselves still down 14 and in need of a miracle to win the game. Perhaps a miracle like recovering an onside kick, which is exactly what happened. Taking advantage of the recovered kick, Vick showed exactly why he’s the most feared athlete in the NFL. On a drive highlighted by a 33-yard Vick scramble, the quarterback found paydirt with a 4-yard trot to bring the Eagles within one score.

The Giants weren’t able to get much going on their next possession, forcing them to punt the ball and leaving Vick with 3 minutes to work his magic. After two incomplete passes to start the drive, it appeared that the Giants would indeed escape with the win. Then, Vick happened. On 3rd and 10, he scrambles for 33 yards and goes out of bounds to preserve the clock. He then finds an open Jason Avant for 13 yards and possession in Giants territory. That play is followed up with a 22-yard Vick scramble. With 1:24 left and 2nd and 3 at the Giants 13, Vick connects with Jeremy Maclin for an improbably game-tying touchdown.

Of course, you can’t tell the story of the Meadowlands Miracle without speaking of DeSean Jackson’s punt return for a touchdown as time expired, but it was the play-making of Vick that put the Eagles in a position to get the win. Defenders can’t play him too close, because he’ll burn you with crisp, accurate passes. They definitely can’t play off of him due to his running ability. After the slow start, Vick finished with 242 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, adding 130 rushing yards and another score of his own. Not only is Vick Week 15 NFL Player of the Week, but he made another stride toward being this year’s league MVP.

Vick kicks up some dirt in his Nike Air Zoom Merciless cleats.

images via Yahoo