EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -One of the enduring images from the New York Giants' Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots was Tom Brady being pounded by Justin Tuck and the rest of the defense.
The Patriots quarterback absorbed five sacks in the title game and was either hit or hurried at least a dozen other times. It was the difference between winning and losing for Tom Coughlin's team.
Fast forward a year.
The Giants (12-4) are beginning their quest to repeat and that ferocious pass rush that led to a title is very much in question heading into Sunday's NFC semifinal against the Philadelphia Eagles (10-6-1) at Giants Stadium.
While the Giants had 42 sacks this season, they have failed to get one against Donovan McNabb and the Eagles in two meetings. They also only had a dozen in the second half of the season.
"You don't really sit back and think about why you didn't get the sacks," defensive tackle Barry Cofield said of the lack of production against the Eagles. "You think about getting the sacks the next time. You very rarely get an opportunity to play a team three times, so if I had to choose to get sacks in any game, it would be this one. So this is the game we are looking forward to and we know that if we're able to pressure McNabb then that will slow the whole offense."
What the Eagles' offensive line has done this season against the Giants is remarkable.
A year ago, the Giants sacked McNabb 15 times in winning two regular-season games. The bulk of that total came in the first game at Giants Stadium when Osi Umenyiora recorded six and the Giants set a franchise-record with 12.
The Eagles made protecting McNabb an emphasis this season. They allowed only 23 sacks and set a team record by not giving up a sack in five games.
"It's all-encompassing," Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg said. "First, the offensive line has done a good job and the past history means nothing going into this game, so they have to do it again. And I think our backs and tight ends have done an excellent job in some of the aspects within the protection."
The Eagles have also helped McNabb with the play calling, using three-step drops and quick releases, short pass patterns and a variety of swing passes and screens to Brian Westbrook.
And when Westbrook can run the ball, like he did in Philadelphia's 20-14 win over the Giants on Dec. 7, that also slows down the pass rush.
"They are pretty good at what they do," said Tuck, who led the Giants with 12 sacks. "I think after last year when we had the 12-sack game against them they made a true emphasis on protecting their quarterback. They are keeping a lot of guys in. But that is no excuse for it. We just have to play better. It is as simple as that."
