2 early touchdowns and Jackson punt return give Eagles 31-17 halftime lead

Jackson punt return, Brown fumble TD lead Eagles

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — DeSean Jackson scored on a spectacular 72-yard punt return and the Philadelphia Eagles again used the big play to take a 30-17 halftime lead over the New York Giants in their showdown for first place in the NFC East on Sunday night.

Donovan McNabb added an 8-yard touchdown pass and cornerback Sheldon Brown scored on a 60-yard fumble return in the opening 5:20, and Michael Vick scored on a late 1-yard run as the Eagles looked to take 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 were a little more competitive playing at home this time. Eli Manning threw a 68-yard scoring pass to rookie Hakeem Nicks and Ahmad Bradshaw scored on a 3-yard run late in the half, but the Eagles’ ability to make the big play was the difference.

With the Eagles leading 17-10 late in the second quarter, Jackson fielded a 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 for his seventh touchdown of 50 yards or more this season, one shy of the league record.

Bradshaw’s 3-yard touchdown run with 1:30 to go in the half got New York within 24-17, but McNabb found Jackson on a 44-yard pass on a third-and-20 to get the Eagles to the Giants 24.

A 23-yard pass to tight end Brent Celek, who caught McNabb’s earlier scoring pass, set up Vick’s run around left end.

The Eagles took the opening kickoff and went 67 yards in six plays with McNabb hitting Celek on a screen pass for the touchdown.

Vick provided the big play, connecting with Jackson on a 32-yard pass to the New York 7.

Less than two minutes later, defensive end Trent Cole stripped the ball from halfback Brandon Jacobs on a play from the Philadelphia 44. The ball hit off the foot of Giants tight end Kevin Boss, popped in the air to Brown, who went untouched for his fifth career defensive touchdown, tying an Eagles’ record.

While Brown was trotting into the end zone, a couple of Giants and Eagles exchanged shoves in front of the New York bench.

Lawrence Tynes kicked a 26-yard field goal to get New York on the board with 2:27 left, capping a 15-play, 77-yard drive that took more than seven minutes. An 18-yard pass from Eli Manning to Boss gave New York a first-and-goal at the Eagles 9, but the next three plays netted a yard.

Nicks, who plays earlier dropped a bomb from Manning, spun out of tackles by Asante Samuel and Quintin Mikell, on his catch and touchdown run.