2 early touchdowns and Jackson punt return give Eagles 37-31 lead

Jackson’s 2 TDs, Brown fumble TD lead Eagles

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — DeSean Jackson scored on a spectacular 72-yard punt return and added a 60-yard touchdown reception as the Philadelphia Eagles took a 37-31 lead over the New York Giants after three quarters in a wild showdown for first place in the NFC East on Sunday night.

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 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 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 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 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.

Hakeem Nicks, who plays earlier dropped a bomb from Manning, spun out of tackles by Asante Samuel and Quintin Mikell scored on a 68-yard catch and run to get New York within 14-10.