Eagles Can’t Even Take a Handout

As hard as the New York Giants tried to give away a game dubbed “The Loser Bowl,” the winless and punchless Philadelphia Eagles just wouldn’t take it.

The Giants overcame five turnovers and an ill-advised lateral, getting a game-winning, 23-yard field goal from Brad Daluiso with 7:43 to play to defeat the Eagles, 16-15, Sunday in one of the ugliest football games ever at Giants Stadium.

“I am not happy with our performance at all, especially the offense,’ said Giant Coach Jim Fassel, whose team at least managed to take a knee at the end of the game without incident, unlike 21 years ago against Philadelphia in the infamous play known as “The Fumble.”

“We gave them all 15 points,” Fassel said. “You can’t expect to turn the ball over five times and win many games.”

It could have been much worse. Philadelphia (0-4) only recovered two of six fumbles by the Giants (2-2).

One that got away was after Jason Sehorn’s interception at the Giant six. Sehorn attempted a lateral and the ball rolled into the end zone, where teammate Phillippi Sparks recovered, resulting in an Eagle safety.

“It was ugly out there, but it was beautiful at the end with the win,” Giant safety Sam Garnes said. “That’s all that counts, getting the win.”

However, winning ugly might have created a quarterback controversy for Fassel. He lifted Kent Graham (15 for 29 for 171 yards) after his third interception and Kerry Collins (six for 12 for 86) was running the team when Daluiso kicked his third field goal.

Graham accounted for the other score with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Ike Hilliard on the opening series.

Fassel refused to say who will start next Sunday at Arizona.