Vick Pulls an "Eli"?

i was watching a tivo'd broadcast of the Eagles-Giants game on the nfl network game replay last night. Like the infamous Colorado-Michigan Michael Westbrook game, you know what happens but you really can't believe it given the circumstances, the score and the clock.

Anyway, one thing that really jumped out at me was the final play before the two minute warning. It's where Vick scrambles for 33 yards up the middle. As he dives forward, the ball kind of comes loose and eventually squirts out next to his hip a la Eli Manning. About the same time, a Giant defender dives onto his back and ultimately winds up with the ball.

I rewound it and slo-mo'd it several times and i still can't tell if the Giant defender touched him before the ball came loose. I really can't believe the announcers didn't make more of a deal of it, nor the Giants. After the play, the network cut to commercial for the two minute warning. Was Coughlin not allowed to challenge it because it was under 2 minutes (the play ended with 1:58 on the clock)? Or is he allowed to challenge anything that occurs prior to the 2 minute warning?

It's kind of interesting. I would think it would have been worth a challenge, especially given the game situation and the fact that the Giants were about to lose the opportunity to challenge any calls as they were all going to be booth reviewed for the rest of the game.

if you get a chance, take a look at the play.