The Eagles have owned the Giants over the course of Eli Manning’s career. For fuck’s sake, this was the only team that routinely made Chip Kelly look like a competent NFL coach. Yet here we are, discussing a second consecutive excruciating loss to a bitter rival and accepting the reality that a once promising season is slipping away. The Eagles have gone from first to last in the division in the span of five weeks and, at 0-3, have no chance of competing for the NFC East crown, although they’re still very much alive in the mediocre NFC’s Wild Card race. Just like the Cowboys, the Giants begged the Eagles to win and tauntingly dangled the carrot in front of their noses. But the Eagles weren’t good enough to take advantage. In a league where games are most often decided by seven points or less, it comes down to one or two pivotal plays that determine the outcome. Teams with those superior talents capable of making the uncommon play emerge victorious, and the Eagles are not one of those teams.

THE GOOD

This tweet

We are indeed complete, utter and miserable lunatics.

 

Carson Wentz of the final 56 minutes (for the most part)

Carson Wentz of the first four minutes was very bad, the worst we’ve seen him so far this rookie season. His first interception was incomprehensible, while his second interception looked like one of his passes from the preseason game against the Buccaneers that sailed high and right into the arms of a waiting defender. Within the game’s first five minutes, the Eagles were down 14-0 and it looked like the rout was on. However, Wentz didn’t panic and he didn’t flinch. He came right back out on the next drive and started off with a long completion to the Eagles’ best tight end, Trey Burton. Wentz went 4/6 for 59 yards, and although the Eagles had to settle for a field goal, the drive helped stop the bleeding and got the offense going.

There were hiccups along the way, but Doug Pederson opened up the playbook and Wentz was able to consistently move the team between the 20s. He even got a chance to take some shots down the field thanks to Bryce Treggs and the new dimension he adds to an otherwise severely limited offense. Wentz made a number of big time throws, with his fourth down conversion to Jordan Matthews in the soft spot between the second-level linebacker and third-level defensive back really sticking out.

Wentz finished 27/47 for a career-high 364 yards (7.7 YPA) and picked apart the Giants secondary despite getting very little help from his receivers, as usual. Only one play drove me nuts: When he ran out of bounds for a five-yard loss on first down instead of throwing the ball away. The Eagles ended up gaining 11 yards on the next two plays and had to punt. This is basic football IQ stuff, and losing five yards on first down for literally no reason at all is an unforgivable brain fart, even for a rookie.

Now for the not so good: As I’ve been pining for all season, Wentz kept a handful of read options, but he made wrong reads where you questioned what he was looking at. He was more eager to get yards with his legs, but the Giants were ready and swarmed. It’s almost like he Wentz trying to overcorrect for all the read options he hadn’t kept up until this game. None of the plays worked out, and the fourth-and-2 sweep was disastrous. Wentz ran a 4.77 at the Combine and had more than adequate speed to break off long runs at the FCS level, but he’s not a quick-twitch athlete with explosiveness and sudden acceleration, so he struggles in tight spaces. That 4.77 speed is reflective of once Wentz gets going into a gallop and is beyond five yards, but NFL athletes are much faster and stronger, so it’s difficult to gain the initial five yards, get into the open field and build up speed. He is certainly not a runner who can get out on the edge, which is why the fourth down play call was so frustrating. For Wentz to be successful on designed runs, his first step needs to be towards the line of scrimmage.

 

Bryce Treggs

Maybe he should have been active earlier in the season, which is to say he definitely should have been. Treggs’ speed is real, and he gets on top of defensive backs before they can react. He’s the one player this offense has who can threaten the defense vertically and is already its second-best wide receiver; here he is isolated as the only outside receiver roasting the corner and safety.

Treggs has also now accomplished more in one game than Nelson Agholor has in the first season-and-half of his career.

Treggs then had Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie beat on a fly route in the fourth quarter down the sideline, but Wentz underthrew him. If the ball is out in front, he has a chance for the go-ahead touchdown.

Thankfully Treggs has ensured he’ll get more chances to shine because his presence alone transformed the offense and opened up the whole intermediate portion of the field. Thanks, Chip.

 

Doug Pederson

Pederson is getting skewered by media and fans alike, including Kyle [editor’s note: I would’ve had much less of an issue with Pederson going for it on fourth down if I didn’t feel like he did it solely to make up for what he viewed as mistakes last week], but I thought he actually had a pretty strong showing, especially coming off last week. His game plan was excellent, and the offense looked like a functional NFL outfit! There were so many play designs that either worked brilliantly or just barely missed. The only unforgivable thing was the aforementioned fourth-and-2 sweep with Wentz, which made me want to strangle kittens. However, in taking a big picture view, I loved that Pederson stayed true to his promise from after the Cowboys game and chose to be aggressive.

The process and decision on the two fourth downs were sound, but the play call was atrocious on the first attempt and personnel deployment made the second attempt predictable. Along with wide receiver screens, the Wentz sweep needs to be thrown into the trash, lit on fire, and then have its ashes pissed on. I don’t care if someone missed a block, the call did not draw upon the strength of the guy with the ball in his hands. Wentz isn’t a runner designed to get outside and turn the edge in the NFL, and the majority of linebackers are going to be able to chase him down laterally. I was incredulous as the play unfolded, I couldn’t believe that was the call. All the way up until he was engulfed, I kept expecting Wentz to stop, look down field, and throw it to an open man.

The second fourth-down attempt irks me because Pederson inserted Isaac Seumalo, in the first active game of his career, at fullback for his first play. Again, NFL coaches talk about putting guys in the best position to succeed, but that makes two weeks in a row where Pederson outsmarted himself and put a rookie, of all players, in an adverse situation. That said, Seumalo made a good block, and it was Jason Kelce and Brandon Brooks who screwed up (more on that later). Darren Sproles still had a chance to gain the first down, but, speaking of questionable personnel deployment, he’s not the back who’s going to erase an error in execution up front by bowling over a tackler.

Now, yes, had everything played out the exact same way, at the end of the game those field goals would’ve ended up being the difference, but that’s an easy hindsight is 20-20 critique. The two fourth-down play calls will be all anyone remembers or wants to talk about because they failed, but I appreciated Doug’s intentions. I feel he was far from the issue that sunk the Eagles in this game and, while the fourth quarter of the Cowboys game was ugly, has shown way more positive than negative signs so far. These guys play hard for him, and, despite lesser talent, the team has been competitive with a chance to win at the end in each of their losses.

 

Jordan Hicks

Such a stud. Hicks has been incredible the past three weeks and is one of the very best linebackers in the NFL. Aside from the tremendously athletic interception that should’ve set up the game-winning touchdown, he made a number of impact plays that helped the defense stifle the Giants offense when it didn’t start deep inside Eagles’ territory. The one that stood out most to me in real time was with 4:02 left in the first quarter. It’s second down and Giants have a screen set up perfectly. Hicks recognizes and points it out as the play develops. The two closest Eagles defenders are blocked and it looks like an easy first down, except Hicks darts towards Rashad Jennings as Eli starts his throwing motion and before anyone can pick him up. He makes a textbook tackle and drops Jennings after a gain of just three yards. Destiny Vaeao sacked Eli on the next play and the Giants were forced to punt.

Here are Hicks’ stats for the first 16 games of his career: 94 tackles (4 for loss), 2 sacks, 11 passes defended, 4 interceptions, 1 forced fumble, 4 fumble recoveries, 1 defensive touchdown. He’s alright.

 

Nolan Carroll

Locked down Odell Beckham, Jr. when he was on him and made as remarkable an interception as you’ll see when he ripped the ball away as they both tumbled to the ground. It’ll be interesting what happens with Carroll in the offseason. He’s a free agent again but will be 30 and doesn’t profile as a guy who’ll command a long-term, big-money contract.

 

Beau Allen

He’s played really well in place of Bennie Logan, and that was the case again against the Giants as he clogged the middle independent of Fletcher Cox. The defense desperately needs Bennie back, but Allen is a more than capable backup and spot starter.

 

Darren Sproles

Sproles continues to be the only effective weapon on offense for Carson Wentz and is a lead ball carrier for the first time in his career. The Eagles are going to run him into the ground until the usage takes its toll. Such a shame they wasted his electrifying punt return in this game, too. He just had to go out of bounds, didn’t he? You knew the Eagles weren’t going to get a touchdown there. Apparently points of any kind was too much to ask.

 

Stefen Wisniewski

Opened up holes in the run game and eliminated guys in pass protection. He deserves to remain the starter even when Allen Barbre is healthy.

 

Zach Ertz

It’s November, so this is early for Ertz to start showing up. He did have his best game of the season with eight receptions for 97 yards and caught everything thrown his way, but my praise here is very begrudging. Ertz once again broke zero tackles and either went down on first contact or on his own with no contact at all.

What’s even the point of Ertz weighing 250 pounds? It’s almost like he feels his job is done after catching the ball (when he manages to do that). Perhaps wanting to push things over the edge and cement that fans hate him entirely, he even broke out a Demarco Murray slide. As far as the most unimpressive and uninspiring eight catch-97 yard performances in NFL history go, this has to be up there… but Ertz still led the Eagles in catches and yards, so, uh, way to go.

 

THE BAD

Not being able to make a play (low football IQ?)

How many other teams in the league hit that fourth-and-10 for the go-ahead touchdown? I feel like the answer is all of them, including the Browns. Whether it’s the quarterback making a better throw to the inside, or the wide receiver recognizing that the cornerback has inside position with help in the middle of the field and instinctively looking toward/gravitating to open space on the outside… I just have no doubt that if the Eagles are on defense and their opponent on offense in that situation, it’s a touchdown. Or at least a flag for pass interference.

 

Dorial Green-Beckham

Starting to see why the Titans gave up on DGB so easily and were willing to trade him for Dennis Kelly. For weeks, all we’ve heard about is how the Eagles want to get DGB more involved. The problem is that he doesn’t want to be more involved. DGB had zero catches on five targets and didn’t even look interested in being on the field. Barely ran routes, didn’t fight to get open, had zero desire to attack the ball. Did he even jump once in the game? Sam Bradford had more receiving yards than DGB on Sunday.

The thing that really gets me is that DGB is so lazy, he won’t even take advantage of his most basic physical attribute. Take the first play after Sproles’ long punt return, for example. He had one-on-one coverage outside in the red zone, a situation wide receivers relish, and was the primary read. Wentz put the ball out ahead, justifiably expecting his 6’5″ target to go and get it, but DGB, being the shit-bird he is, went half speed off the snap and then stopped running entirely with the ball in the air. I’m not inclined to give DGB the benefit of the doubt and put the blame on Wentz for misunderstanding the route. The cornerback kept running but dropped the interception in the end zone and the Eagles blew fourth-and-1 three plays later. I felt like I was watching Ruben Randle in the first preseason game. I’d say DGB is softer than Ertz, but I’ve seen him break a tackle this season. Just another loser and waste of talent. Congratulations on this accomplishment, Dorial.

I feel like the Eagles have the largest percentage of players in the league who don’t even like football.

 

Leodis McKelvin

Instead of writing a bunch of words…

The Eagles pass defense had some lapses but on the whole played a solid game (Sterling Shepard led the Giants with 50 yards). Unfortunately, McKelvin was the glaring weak link, got picked on and had no answer.

 

Jason Kelce and Brandon Brooks, especially on fourth down

We know Kelce sucks and has been bad all season. He’s actively killing the team, and it started immediately in this game. Everyone else on the line does their job to create a clean pocket, but Kelce’s off balance, stumbles and fall backwards, allowing the defensive tackle to penetrate. Wentz bails, makes a bad throw under pressure, and the Giants go 30 yards on offense for their first touchdown.

Kelce missed multiple blocks in space in this game (again), and I always feel like I’m seeing #62 chasing the play and arriving late as his assignment makes the tackle. Brandon Brooks has been a mixed bag for me. I know he’s a Pro Football Focus darling and has been highlighted making key blocks, but he hasn’t been a dominant force in my eyes and some crucial mistakes really stick in my craw. Here’s the first fourth down play call linked above. Brooks weakly lunges and whiffs on Damon Harrison, who is there to lead the brigade that meets Wentz. Jordan Matthews missing the chip on Jason Pierre-Paul off the snap sets the domino effect into motion, but watch Kelce as he’s unable to engage the linebacker. It didn’t matter because the whole play broke down, but the miscues here reflect the overall lack of execution in the game’s biggest moments that plague this team. The Eagles kept six guys in to block and the only one who did was Jason Peters. Gross.

But at least there were no bad snaps for Kelce! Here’s the second failed fourth down:

Again, it’s Kelce and Brooks. This is so weak. They not only got no movement on the double-team of Johnathan Hankins, they were pushed back! Maybe watching Kelechi Osemele maul Denver’s defensive line for the Raiders Sunday night made me think more critically of Brooks. I don’t know.

 

Pass rush

The Giants came into the game tied for the least amount of sacks given up (11), and Eli always manages to avoid sacks. Brandon Graham had some pressures, including one that resulted in the Vaeao cleanup sack. Otherwise, after two weeks of harassing quarterbacks, the front seven was quiet.

 

Wendell Smallwood and Kenjon Barner’s snap count

Smallwood touched the ball four times in the game, and just twice on offense (he played four snaps). Those two carries went for 19 and six yards, respectively. Maybe it’s a pass protection issue because it certainly can’t be about what happens when he touches the ball.

This is where my main gripe with Pederson comes in– player usage. He’s ok putting Barner in for crucial carries at the goal line, but that’s it? You trust him in the highest leverage spot on the field but don’t trust him any other time? What? I simply don’t understand the obsession in giving Sproles 15 carries a game and giving Smallwood and Barner nothing, especially when you’re no longer riding Ryan Mathews. Do you want to know what you have for the future or not?

 

THE UGLY

Defense being unable to maintain and build upon momentum

The defense only allowed two touchdowns during the game that weren’t the result of turnovers giving the Giants a short field. The problem is that both of those touchdowns came on long drives after the Eagles offense scored touchdowns of their own. It’s now happened seven (7) times since that bye that the defense has been unable to keep the other team from putting up points on the drive immediately following an Eagles’ score. To the extent that you believe in momentum, it’s devastating to the opponent and uplifting for your team to get the ball right back and have a chance to keep rolling. Instead of forcing a three and out, turnover, or punt, the defense usually gives up a long third down conversion that puts the snowball effect in motion.

 

 

Red zone offense

The Eagles had three separate red zone trips that resulted in no points. One of those drives started at the Giants’ 15-yard line! When that happens, you’re not going to win the game. It’s in the red zone where the Eagles’ embarrassing lack of playmakers is magnified. The field is shortened and the playbook constricted. Doug Pederson has been forced to go ultra conservative in those situations because he has no other choice. We know he’d prefer to be aggressive and would love to rely on his guy to beat the man in front of him, but Eagles don’t have that kind of player. The personnel isn’t changing, so red zone offense will continue to be an infuriating frustration.

 

Refs missing easy, blatant calls that would’ve significantly altered the outcome of the game

There were three obvious ones missed, and two of them would’ve given the Eagles key first downs:

1. Roughing the kicker on Caleb Sturgis’ first field goal. The defender barrel rolled into Sturgis and decked him on the follow-through. How is that not roughing the kicker? It was a blatant and dangerous play. Instead of first and goal inside the 10, the Eagles settled for three points.
2. Dwayne Harris touching Sproles after he signaled for a fair catch. It was a hug, a warm embrace, but what the hell? So I guess it’s ok to make contact with the punt returner now as long as you’re gentle about it?
3. Roughing the passer for a blow to the helmet of Carson Wentz on second and 10 from the Giants’ 17 on the final drive. The Giants came with an all-out blitz, and the Eagles had the perfect play-call to beat it — a screen to Sproles. But Pierre-Paul dropped back and almost intercepted the pass. It shouldn’t have mattered, though, as the oncoming rusher hit Wentz in the helmet with not one but BOTH hands after he released the ball. One back judge turned his attention to Sproles when the ball was released, while the other just stared at what happened and decided it was copacetic. Wentz rightfully begged for a call, but to no avail. Sorry, Rookie, these rules don’t apply to you quite yet.

 

WHAT’S NEXT

Hard to think this defense won’t get lit up by Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, and friends. I get this weird feeling that Taylor Gabriel will burn the secondary multiple times and Vic Beasley gives Jason Peters fits with speed around the edge, just like he did Week 1 of last season. But here’s the thing: The Eagles have been a completely different team at home than on the road. It’s part of the reason that I’m encouraged about Pederson. After being so lifeless and humiliating at home for years, the Eagles are displaying a noticeable swagger at the Linc and have played inspired football in front of their fans. The offense should be able move the ball on a Falcons defense that gives up 381 total yards (26th) — 290 through the air (31st) — and 29 points (28th) per game. Atlanta has also given up the fourth-most sacks in the league (22), so the pass rush will need to rule the day just as it did against Minnesota.

With their season on the line and a powerful opponent coming to town, the Eagles need their best performance yet to keep hope alive… because they sure as hell aren’t winning the next weekend in Seattle.