Eagles alone at top of NFC East

Fourth-and-26, meet fourth-and-1.

With his team trailing 17-16 late in the fourth quarter, Andy Reid dialed up one of the gutsiest calls of his career. The Eagles coach called a fake hand-off and pitch-out to running back LeSean McCoy. The play resulted in a 50-yard touchdown run and gave the Eagles a 27-17 victory over the Giants last night at Lincoln Financial Field. Oh yeah, and sole possession of first place in the rough-and-tumble NFC East.

“We expect them to try to do things to try to disrupt our timing and things of that nature,” Vick said before the game. “Football is a chess match and that’s what it’s all about. We’ll be ready.”

He was. In fact, things are going so good for Vick right now that even when he makes a mistake good things happen.

On McCoy’s game-winning rumble, Vick bobbled the initial snap and came dangerously close to brushing the outstretched hand of Giants sack-master Osi Umenyiora. Close but no cigar. The Giants’ defense was left gasping for air as McCoy raised the ball high and strutted into the end zone. McCoy then ripped a 40-yard run late in the fourth quarter, following an Eli Manning fumble, to help ice it before the two-minute warning. Stewart Bradley’s last-second pick ended any Giant comeback.

Vick, who finished 24-of-38 for 258 yards, nearly cost the Eagles the game when he lost a fumble early in the fourth quarter. It was his first turnover this season. Two plays later, the Giants scored to take a 17-16 lead.

But Vick was also responsible for leading the Eagles to 393 yards of total offense and 17 first downs. Next up is a trip to Chicago to face the NFC North-leading Bears.