Sunday’s New York Giants-Philadelphia Eagles game, a resounding 48-22 Eagles victory, is one you and the Giants would forget about. Alas, Giants players and coaches must watch the movie today. You, my loyal Big Blue View readers, must do penance and suffer the traditional “Kudos & Wet Willies” critique.
Let’s go.
Congratulations to…
Azeez Ojulari – The sophomore linebacker has been a force in his two games since returning from injury. On Sunday, Ojulari had two sacks, two quarterback hits and two tackles for loss.
Ryder Anderson — The undrafted rookie free agent defensive lineman, brought up from the practice squad for the game, got his first NFL sack. He also had a tackle for the loss and a quarterback hit in 37 snaps.
Isaiah Hodgins – The bye week waiver request was sneakily good for the Giants. Against the Eagles, he had four receptions for 38 yards. Hodgins had a two-point conversion touchdown and reception.
Richie James – I mentioned Sunday night that almost all of James’ production (six of seven catches and all of his receiving distance) came in the second half when the game was out of reach. Yet seven captures on nine targets equals seven captures on nine targets. It’s a good day. James had 61 receiving yards and a 19-yard touchdown catch. He reclaimed the Giants’ receiving lead with 38 receptions this season, three more than Darius Slayton.
The 38 receptions are a career high for James.
Wet Willies at…
Fabian Moreau – It was a second tough match in a row for Moreau. He committed two penalties that gave the Eagles first downs, one on a third down that ended up turning what should have been an Eagles field goal attempt into an eventual touchdown. Moreau played well in his first few weeks with the Giants. Perhaps Adoree’ Jackson’s absence from the roster is part of the reason, but in recent weeks his game has declined significantly.
Special teams –My apologies to Elerson Smith, who blocked a punt, but other than that, the Giants’ special teams play was atrocious on Sunday.
Punter Jamie Gillan dropped a punt and was penalized for an illegal kick, kicking the ball while on the ground. That put the ball at the Giants 33-yard line, and the Eagles scored a touchdown on their first play afterward. Otherwise, Gillan had a great day, with three of six punts going down inside the 20-yard line, but there always seems to be something to complain about with the wildly inconsistent Gillan.
The Giants allowed kickoff returns of 66 and 35 yards to Giants killer Boston Scott. They also allowed a 16-yard punt return.
While it mattered, the Eagles constantly challenged Gary Brightwell to return kickoffs. He couldn’t, with three returns for 58 yards and a long return for 20 yards.
I always thought special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey was good at his job, but he got no answers because the Giants special teams struggled one way or another during most of the season.
offensive line –The Giants gave up seven sacks, though three of them came in the final six minutes and several of the game’s starters. Still, quarterback Daniel Jones was sacked four times and hit nine more before Tyrod Taylor took over. Jones was sacked twice in the Giants’ first five games, and that set the tone for a day in which the Giants offensive line was overrun.
Rookie right tackle Evan Neal had a particularly tough day. In their initial review, Pro Football Focus accused Neal of allowing one sack and seven pressings. Even Andrew Thomas gave up a sack, only the second he’s allowed this season.
defense as a whole – The Giants gave up 48 points, the most they’ve allowed since giving up 51 to the Los Angeles Rams in a 51-17 loss Nov. 5, 2017, to the Los Angeles Rams.
The Giants gave up 14 plays, 80 yards and 12 plays, 86 yards for touchdowns on Philadelphia’s first two possessions. They allowed a 33-yard touchdown on one play. The Giants also gave up 41- and 40-yard touchdown plays.
The Eagles have rushed for 253 yards on 31 carries, or an absurd 8.2 yards per carry. Miles Sanders had 144 yards on 17 carries. Jalen Hurts had 77 yards on just seven carries.
Hurts and the Eagles also did just about anything they wanted in the air. Hurts completed 21 of 31 passes for 217 yards and two touchdowns. The Giants had four sacks, but that may have been the only bright spot.
Julian Love went for an interception on the 41-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith, only to see him snatch the ball in the air and waltz for an easy score. Kayvon Thibodeaux managed to play 55 snaps and not get on the stat sheet.
The Eagles have a versatile and complete offense. The Giants defense never really had a chance.
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