The Miracle at the Meadowlands: A Legendary Comeback Victory
It was November 19, 1978, and the Philadelphia Eagles were visiting the New York Giants at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The game was tied at 17-17 with just seconds left on the clock. The Eagles had the ball on the Giants' 28-yard line and were poised to attempt a game-winning field goal. But what happened next would go down as one of the most remarkable plays in NFL history.
Quarterback Ron Jaworski took the snap and handed the ball off to running back Larry Csonka, who fumbled the ball. Giants defensive back Herm Edwards scooped up the loose ball and began running down the field, destined for an easy touchdown. But what followed was a moment of inexplicable decision-making. Rather than going down and burning time off the clock, Edwards decided to run the ball instead. As he approached the endzone, Eagles' defensive back, and now celebrated icon in Philly, Herman "The Big Play" Edwards leaped high, intercepted the ball mid-air, and ran it all the way back for the game-winning touchdown. The final score: Eagles 19, Giants 17.
The Miracle at the Meadowlands had just taken place – a game that would forever be remembered as one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history. It was a moment of sheer shock and disbelief, not only for the Giants and their fans but for everyone watching at home. The Eagles had snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in a game that seemed all but lost.
The famous play by Edwards went on to become known as the "Miracle at the Meadowlands," and the Eagles would go on to make it to the playoffs that season. The Giants, on the other hand, failed to recover from the defeat and spiraled into a disastrous funk for the next few years.
The Miracle at the Meadowlands remains a momentous turning point in NFL history, not just for the Eagles but for the entire league. It serves as a reminder that anything can happen in football, and that the game is never truly over until the final whistle blows – a lesson that players and fans alike have continued to hold onto, even to this day.