The Eagles had everything on their table as if it were a Thanksgiving feast. The Giants, at 3-7, were reeling after firing their offensive coordinator. They polled players to find out which pages to keep in their playbook. Quarterback Daniel Jones wore a wristband play sheet for the first time as the Giants tried to figure out how to get the ball to their best playmakers.
Meanwhile, the division-leading Dallas Cowboys had lost on Thanksgiving, falling to 7-4 and leaving the Eagles within striking distance of first-place.
Instead, the Eagles (5-7) squandered a golden opportunity in a 13-7 loss to the Giants (4-7) at MetLife Stadium, leaving the field to chants of “Eagles suck!” from Giants fans.
There were plenty of culprits: Running back Boston Scott, the Giants killer, turned the weapon on himself, fumbling with 1:34 remaining in the game. Wide receiver Jalen Reagor dropped two possible TD passes in the final two minutes. Nate Herbig, filling in at center, committed two holding penalties — one erasing a TD. And Jalen Hurts played his worst game on the season with three inexcusably stupid interceptions, two in the red zone.
Here are some observations from Sunday’s loss to the Giants:
Jalen Reagor’s drops cost Eagles chance to steal a win
Hurts was victimized by wide receiver Reagor, who dropped two passes in the final two minutes, both at the goal line, costing the Eagles a shot at an unlikely comeback.
The first was the tougher catch, an over-the-shoulder effort in the front left corner of the end zone under tight coverage, but the ball hit his hands and helmet. Good receivers make that play.
The second drop, on the Eagles’ final play, was a leaping attempt that was easier. The ball hit Reagor in the hands and fell to the turf. And by the way, DeVonta Smith — who had only two catches for 22 yards — was open on the play.
Nick Sirianni’s goal line play-calling issues popped up once again
Earlier in the season, Nick Sirianni made some questionable decisions regarding his play-calling near the goal line. Those issues came up once again at the end of the first half. On first down, Sirianni called a pass play that was intended for Greg Ward that fell incomplete, similar to the play that was called against the San Francisco 49ers. Later, after running up the middle for only a yard, Hurts threw an interception.
Sirianni’s decision to go with Ward, a player who had only two catches heading into the game, is questionable, especially with options such as wide receiver DeVonta Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert available on the field.
The Eagles defense did its part
For a second straight week, the Eagles defense held its own. Not only did defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon’s unit hold the Giants to 13 points, they only allowed the Giants to convert 27% of their third-down chances. The Eagles still mixed in some blitzes and got some push from their front four linemen. The secondary, led by Darius Slay and Avonte Maddox, also made some timely pass breakups.
The Eagles had to be on alert for the “unscouted” looks with Freddie Kitchens taking over as the Giants offensive coordinator this week. They did not do well on their first unscouted look, a flea-flicker that ended with a 20-yard catch and run by tight end Evan Engram. The Eagles were able to escape the situation, only allowing a field goal Graham Gano 35-yard field goal.
Overall, the unit kept the Eagles in the game despite the offense’s struggles.
Hurts interceptions made the game closer than it should have been
Sunday was easily Jalen Hurts’ worst game as a pro, throwing three interceptions and costing the Eagles points in the process.
On the first interception, Hurts had wide receiver DeVonta Smith breaking open on a post route across the middle of the field and running back Boston Scott in the flat. However, Hurts went to the middle of the field toward wide receiver Quez Watkins. Hurts’ pass sailed on him and was intercepted by Giants cornerback Darney Holmes.
In a pivotal third and goal late in the second quarter, Hurts tried to force a pass into Scott in the end zone, but it was intercepted by linebacker Tae Crowder, resulting in a huge momentum swing for the Giants defense heading into halftime. Then, needing to mount something to get back in the play, Hurts heaved a pass downfield that linebacker Benardrick McKinney nabbed.
Earlier in the day, NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport said that if the Eagles were winning and Hurts played well, the Eagles would not look at trading for a veteran quarterback. With a performance like the one he had against the Giants, the conversation could continue for a couple more weeks.
Nate Herbig struggles to replace Jason Kelce at center
After center Jason Kelce injured his right knee in the first quarter, the Eagles had to rely on Nate Herbig to come in and take over for the veteran offensive lineman. Herbig, who played guard last season, struggled with his blocking at times, finding himself out of position, resulting in him pulling on a Giants defender and drawing a holding call. In the second quarter, a 25-yard Scott touchdown run was called back because Herbig yanked a Giants defender’s arm.
Because of the penalty, the Eagles were pushed back, and the drive ended in a Hurts interception, keeping the Eagles off the board. Kelce eventually returned to the game in the third quarter.
Herbig did come back in when guard Jack Driscoll injured his knee in the third quarter and helped get a push on Scott’s 1-yard touchdown run.
It is tough to come off the bench in that situation, but Herbig has to better in relief when the team needs him.
Derek Barnett rebounded
One player who has been lambasted for his mental errors has been defensive end Derek Barnett. Barnett did a good job putting pressure on Jones from the edge, even drawing a holding penalty. Barnett also did a good job of staying disciplined not only in the run game, staying at home to stop Giants wide receiver Darius Slayton from running and end but committing a costly penalty that set the defense back. If the Eagles are going to have to rely on Barnett to play at a high rate if they want to have any aspirations to make the playoffs.
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Chris Franklin may be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com.
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