On Thursday night, a sloppy game in every aspect ended with the Philadelphia Eagles (2-4-1) pulling off an 11-point comeback against the New York Giants (1-6) to emerge with a 22-21 win. Carson Wentz quieted the doubters and haters by leading a team that was down to practice squad players to victory.
Hot Start
The Eagles began the game on fire, going 75 yards on 11 plays on their initial drive. Wentz found the newly-returned DeSean Jackson for passes of 10 and nine yards on the drive. He hit tight end Richard Rodgers for 18 yards to set them up at the 1-yard line. Wentz then ran in for the touchdown as the Eagles took a 7-0 lead. This was the fifth rushing touchdown for Wentz on the season. The offense sputtered on their second drive after forcing a Giants punt. With good field position after Philadelphia stalled out, New York quickly capitalized as Daniel Jones connected with Golden Tate for a 39-yard touchdown pass on just one play. The Eagles ended the first quarter in Giants’ territory as Wentz threw four passes of 10-plus yards.
Sloppy Play
The Eagles picked up another first down as the second quarter began before the drive was halted, but a Jake Elliott field goal made it 10-7. This is where the real ugliness starts. Philadelphia intercepted a pass that went off the hands of Giants tight end Evan Engram. They drove down the field and were in position to score. On 2nd & 15, however, Wentz forced a pass intended for John Hightower and was picked off by James Bradberry in the end zone.
The two teams traded punts before Dion Lewis fumbled with under a minute left in the half. The Eagles were on their way to capitalizing, but on third down Wentz threw a pass to the end zone that went through the hands of Travis Fulgham. The Birds were still in position to kick a chip shot field goal. Elliott missed it from 29 yards out to hold the score at 10-7 at halftime.
The second half started just as ugly as the first one ended. There were four straight punts (two by each team), before the Giants took the lead in four plays. Jones started the drive with an 80-yard run before he became an internet meme as he tripped over his own feet with the goal line in sight. Three plays later, Wayne Gallman ran in for the 1-yard touchdown to give New York the 14-10 lead.
The teams traded punts again before the Eagles drove 66 yards to the Giants’ three yard line on the next possession. On fourth down, rather than trying to get within one point, the Eagles went for it and failed. Jones and the Giants took nearly eight minutes off the clock, driving 97 yards on 15 plays. Gallman was key on the drive, running for 25 yards and catching a seven-yard pass. The possession ended with Jones finding Sterling Shepard for a two-yard score.
The Comeback
With just over six minutes remaining, the Eagles’ comeback ensued. Down 21-10, Wentz found John Hightower for 59 yards which set them up at the 14-yard line. Three plays later, Wentz connected with Greg Ward for a three-yard touchdown pass. The Eagles went for two but failed, so the score sat at 21-16. The drive took just 1:39 off the clock, leaving over four minutes remaining. They allowed a couple of Giants first downs as Gallman had 27 more rushing yards, before eventually forcing a punt. On the punt, Jackson was back to return and was hit in the head, resulting in a 15-yard penalty. After the play was over, Jackson also took a hit to the leg and limped off the field.
Adam Schefter reported it is feared that Jackson has a high-ankle sprain and he left in a boot last night. He will get an MRI but could be out several weeks if that is indeed the case.
With the Eagles starting at their own 29-yard-line, Wentz found Rodgers for 11 yards before the two-minute warning. The two connected again for 30 yards, and then a pass interference on Bradberry the next play moved them up nine more yards. Boston Scott ran for 12 yards to the New York 9 on the next play. Scott ran for four more yards and the Eagles were set up. On first and goal, however, a Jason Kelce facemask penalty pushed them back to the 18.
It would not matter, as on the very next play Wentz found Scott in the end zone for a touchdown on a beautiful throw and beautiful catch by Scott. The Giants still had a shot if they could get into field goal range. Philadelphia wanted none of that as Brandon Graham forced a strip-sack on Jones to seal the 22-21 victory.
Statistics
Sterling Shepard was the leading receiver for the Giants with six catches for 59 yards. Daniel Jones’ final stat line was 20-30 with 187 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception along with 92 rushing yards. Gallman finished the night with 10 carries for 34 yards with a touchdown as well as five catches for 20 yards. Blake Martinez had nine total tackles and one pass deflection.
Carson Wentz finished 25-43 for 359 yards with two touchdowns and an interception while rushing for 14 yards and adding another score on the ground. Scott carried the ball 12 times for 46 yards. Tight end Rodgers had six catches for 85 yards and Fulgham had five catches for 73 yards. Nathan Gerry got his first sack on the season and had eight total tackles.
Highlights
BOSTON. SCOTT.#NYGvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 23, 2020
📺: NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO pic.twitter.com/Ht733BlVPw
One play at a time.#NYGvsPHI | #FlyEaglesFly
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) October 23, 2020
📺: NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO pic.twitter.com/Q9mNAzlKkC
We’ve missed you, 8️⃣7️⃣
— New York Giants (@Giants) October 23, 2020
Watch Live: https://t.co/y8glCzPbFy pic.twitter.com/mdRAsjqimh
Philadelphia’s next game is against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football next week before a Week 9 bye. New York returns home to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before heading to D.C. to face the Washington Football Team. These two foes will then meet again in Week 10 before the Giants have their bye week.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @ptsportstalk
Follow Alex Kielar on Twitter @AlexKielar
Main Image Credit:
2 Responses