Finally, Giants Beat Eagles

 

By Andrew Rosario

 

Eight was enough for the New York Football Giants. That was their losing streak against their division rival Philadelphia Eagles when they hosted them this past Sunday at MetLife Stadium. New York had a chance to snap the streak at 7 when they met last October 22nd only to come up short as they collapsed in the second half losing 22-21. With their very slim postseason hopes on the brink the Giants played their best game of the year winning their 3rd division game of the year (they swept the Washington Football Team) for their 3rd win of the season (3-7) and now sit in second place in the NFC East. 

 

Big Blue was hoping to duplicate the start of their last game against Philadelphia as they got out to a 21-10 lead the first time they touched the ball in the 4th quarter. After that, the offense stalled and the defense could not stop quarterback Carson Wentz as he threw two touchdown passes to seal the victory. In similar fashion Sunday, the Giants jumped all over the Eagles from the start. This time however, they sealed the deal.

 

 

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (21/28, 244 yards) marched them downfield 80 yards in 8 plays on their very first possession. The last 34 yards saw Jones running it in for the touchdown. Unlike his long run against the Eagles (80 yards) the last time they faced each other, Jones stayed on his feet this time giving them an early 7-0 lead. Said Jones of the run, “It felt good to get in the end zone. We did a great job blocking it up there. Austin Mack came down and made a big block there. It just kind of opened up for me. Just tried to stay on my feet that time and get in the endzone.” 

 

 

 

 

The Eagles responded by going 58 yards in 12 plays resulting in a Jake Elliot 40-yard field goal. The defense stopping Wentz on a 3rd and 3 attempt, forcing an incomplete pass. New York extends their lead (14-3) the next time they touched the ball. This time Jones takes them 70 yards in 13 plays. Running back Wayne Gallman (53 yards on 18 carries) runs it in from 2-yards out. Said Giants head coach Joe Judge of Gallman’s day, “I’m very pleased with how Wayne is playing. I know the team gets a spark whenever he is in there, he gets a lot of yards.” 

 

Philly wasted no time getting on the board the first time they touched the ball to start the third quarter. Running back Boston Scott scampers up the left sideline for the 56-yard touchdown run. It appeared Scott’s right heel was out of bounds. After review, the play was not overturned. Running back Miles Sanders runs in the 2-point attempt bringing the Eagles within 3 at 14-11.

 

Not to be outdone, Jones guides them on a 6 play, 75-yard drive as Gallman gets into the end zone for his second touchdown from 1-yard out. Jones completed 2 long passes. The first, a 27 yarder to Sterling Shepard and the second, 38 Yards to Golden Tate lll. “We were confident in what we were doing all day. From an offensive standpoint, we felt like we were moving the ball and executing. The Eagles came out fast and scored. Being able to answer there was big for us,” said Jones.

 

The Eagles were not done. Running back Corey Clement had not found the end zone all year. That changed in the next Philadelphia possession. Getting down to the Giants 5, Clement runs it in. Philly once again goes for the 2-point conversion. The secondary coverage allowed Leonard Williams and Dalvin Tomlinson to swallow up Wentz. The Eagles would touch the ball four more times only to come away with no points. Giants field goal kicker Graham Gano converts 35 and 44 yard field goals icing the game.

 

For the second week in a row, Daniel Jones did not turn the ball over. Coming into the game, Jones had turned the ball over 13 times. Big difference in the offense when the ball is protected. Said Jones, “I think that certainly gives us a better chance to win games. It’s something I’ve been focusing on. I think it certainly feels good not to turn the ball over and got to keep building on it, keep going, and that definitely helps our chances to win.”

 

Two weeks ago, the New York Football Giants were buried in the NFC East and left for dead. They sweep Washington, split with Eagles and have one more shot against Dallas the last game of the season. For the first time all year, they have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs. Asked if he took the time to look at the division standings, Judge said, “I have not. I’ll tell everyone right now, it’s irrelevant. The only thing that matters is we keep improving as a team and go 1-0 every week. The overall standings, we’re not going to look at those. We’re not going to focus on those. That’s not an emphasis in our organization. We’ve got to keep improving as a team to give ourselves a chance to be the best program we can be.”