Eagles take over first in NFC East, outscore Giants

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Dynamic DeSean Jackson tied an NFL record for long touchdowns and carried the Philadelphia Eagles to the top of the NFC East on Sunday night.

Jackson scored on a 72-yard punt return and a 60-yard pass from Donovan McNabb, sparking the Eagles to their most points this season in a 45-38 shootout victory over the New York Giants.

The second-year wide receiver missed last week with a concussion, but was in sensational form in boosting Philadelphia (9-4) into prime position for the playoffs. He has eight touchdowns of 50-plus yards this year.

New York (7-6) also had its share of big plays, including TD passes of 68 and 61 yards by Eli Manning in a game marked by shoddy tackling on both sides.

The two long scores gave Jackson eight touchdowns of 50 yards or more this season, tying the single-season NFL record shared by Elroy Hirsch and Devin Hester.

Jackson also had 32-yard reception that set up Donovan McNabb’s 8-yard touchdown pass to Brent Celek and a 44-yard catch that set up Michael Vick’s 1-yard touchdown run just before halftime.

Cornerback Sheldon Brown also scored on a 60-yard fumble return as the Eagles took over sole possession of first place in the NFC East with three games left in the regular season.

David Akers added a 20-yard field goal for Philadelphia, which used the big play a month ago to crush the Giants 40-17.

Despite falling behind 14-0, the Giants battled back and scored 14 straight third-quarter points to take a 31-30 lead on a 61-yard touchdown pass play from Eli Manning to Domenik Hixon. Halfback Brandon Jacobs had gotten New York within 31-24 earlier in the quarter on a 1-yard, fourth-down plunge.

On the next play from scrimmage, McNabb found Jackson all alone to put the Eagles ahead again.

Jackson’s punt return was spectacular.

With the Eagles leading 17-10 late in the second quarter, Jackson fielded Jeff Feagles’ punt along the left sideline, took two steps to his right and then cut back left and ran down the sideline almost untouched.

Ahmad Bradshaw’s 3-yard touchdown run with 1:30 to go in the half got New York within 24-17, but Vick scored shortly on a 1-yard run after two McNabb passes covered 67 yards.