NFC East Rivalry: A look back at the top five memorable Tony Romo vs Eli Manning matchups
By Ali Jawad
2. Week 14, 2011: Eli Manning Magic
The Giants would travel to Arlington, Texas, for first place in the muddled-up NFC East matchup. The Giants had lost their last four games after a promising 6-2 start, and the Cowboys entered this game with a mark of 7-5, leading the NFC East. Both teams went all out in this matchup and went back and forth in scoring.
In a must-win game against the Cowboys, the Giants fell behind by 12 points with less than six minutes remaining. Like the 2010 season, New York's latest second half-season collapse was nearly complete.
Down 34-22, after Romo hit Dez Bryant on a 50-yard touchdown, the Giants turned again to Manning in hopes he could deliver more of his Manning magic than ever.
The Giants were able to respond as Manning would lead an eight-play, 80-yard scoring drive ending with a touchdown pass to tight end Jake Ballard. On the ensuing Cowboys' drive, Romo, on 3rd and five, saw that the Giants were coming with a blitz and gave a signal to WR Miles Austin. As the play continued, Austin was five yards behind coverage, and the ball was overthrown. On a side note, Austin could have dove for the ball.
The Giants would get the football back, and once again, Manning would work his magic and led the Giants on a six-play 53-yard drive resulting in a Brandon Jacobs touchdown. The Giants would convert on a DJ Ware 2-point conversion to take a 37-34 lead.
Romo led the Cowboys into field goal range to set up Dan Bailey for a game-tying 47-yard field goal. The Cowboys were in a familiar position as then-head coach Jason Garrett had iced his kicker Dan Bailey against the Arizona Cardinals the week prior. The ending result was a loss after Bailey missed the field goal.
This time it was then Giants head coach Tom Coughlin who would ice Bailey after making it on the first try. Giants defensive end Jason Pierre Paul blocked the game-tying field goal and ended the game in a 37-34 Giants win. If there were a game that season where Manning could do no wrong, this would be the winner.