Giants find out just how scary-good Michael Vick can be

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J.—Another electrifying performance by Michael Vick stunned the Giants while reinforcing how dangerous the Eagles have become.

People will be talking about the Eagles’ improbable 38-31 victory for a long time—and for many reasons. There was DeSean’s Jackson’s game-winning 65-yard punt return on the final play. There was the Eagles’ terrific comeback, as they scored 28 points in the final eight minutes after being down 31-10.

Michael Vick threw for 242 yards and three touchdowns overall and ran for a game-high 130 yards vs. the Giants. (AP photo)

But the most important element in all of this was Vick. He is a special talent, surrounded by explosive weapons. The Eagles (10-4) are now likely to make the playoffs, moving a game ahead of the Giants (9-5) in the NFC East with two weeks left in the regular season. And if the Eagles make the playoffs, Vick clearly gives them a chance to beat any team, any time, anywhere.

He is that good, and the Eagles’ belief in their quarterback grows stronger with each victory. How can it not, after a win like this?

``He just took over,’’ Eagles safety Quintin Mikell said in an Eagles locker room that sounded like a frat house.

``You can’t even write a movie like that,’’ Eagles cornerback Asante Samuel said.

For opposing defensive coordinators, the Vick show is becoming a horror film. The Giants did a terrific job containing him for three quarters. But in the final eight minutes, Vick dominated. He made huge runs. He made clutch throws. He eluded pass rushers, even when they were unblocked.

With his running ability, Vick (10 carries, 130 yards) takes over a game far differently than Tom Brady or Peyton Manning does. But the result is the same. When Vick is at his best, he not only defeats a defense, he demoralizes it. ``This is about as bad a loss as you can suffer,’’ Giants defensive tackle Barry Cofield said.

When the Eagles looked dead, down by 21 with less than eight minutes to play, Vick gave them CPR. He has pumped new life into the Eagles from Week 1, from the moment he stepped under center to replace an injured Kevin Kolb.

Playing against Vick can feel like playing with matches next to a gas tank. One spark and everything can suddenly go wrong. Vick admitted he was frustrated for most of this game, but once he connected with Brent Celek for a 65-yard TD pass with 7:28 to play, Vick began to play with abandon.

“They did a good job of containing me,” Vick said. “We just adjusted to it. We got to a point where regardless of what they do, it’s not going to be about them. It’s about us. Fortunately we were able to get some big plays at some key moments. I believe in myself, I believe in my teammates.”

If the Eagles make the playoffs, he will worry any team they face. The Eagles do not have a dominant defense, and many of their young players are short on playoff experience.

However, the Eagles have plenty of offensive weapons, and they have a unique catalyst in Vick. That makes the Eagles dangerous. Just ask the Giants.