Assessing the Giants' 20-13 loss to the Eagles on Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia:
offense
Yes, that spectacular big-play attack last week was a mirage.
Drew Lock (22 of 29, 138 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) couldn't get the ball down the field except for a 45-yard scoring toss to phenomenal rookie Malik Nabors. , Malik Nabors was pushed out of bounds by S Tristan McCallum. He tip-toed his way down the right sideline and scored the team's only touchdown.
Lock completed eight passes in the first half, but they went for just 30 yards.
That's almost difficult. Wan'Dale Robinson (10-43) was similar, with more receptions but fewer yards.
The running game (25-100) was subpar. Greg van Roten and Josh Ezeudu were given false start penalties.
His third-down conversion rate (4-of-14) was disastrous, and 10 first downs and 238 yards against the Eagles' backups was a fitting way to end the game.
Grade: F
defense
How appropriate was it for LB Boogie Basham to be called for a neutral zone violation on fourth down late in the game, essentially handing the game to the Eagles?
A guy named Tanner McKee played quarterback for the Birds and kept the ball moving, especially in the first half, with short stuff against a weak pass rush. He only allowed 51 rushing yards, which was fine.
The Eagles lined up with their famous tush push, and rookie CB Drew Phillips made a jump offside. It's just brutal.
OLB Kayvon Thibodeau had two sacks down the stretch and cleaned up with six of 12 sacks.
Thibodeau was called for a costly roughing the passer penalty with two minutes left.
TE Dallas Goedert (4-55) came on from injured reserve, but could not cover anyone in the first half.
LB Deyontae Johnson made his first extended appearance since returning from injured reserve, recording a team-high 10 tackles and showing off his wide range of defense.
S Anthony Johnson deflected a pass at the line of scrimmage.
LB Tomon Fox lost a point on a 4-yard tackle in the 4th quarter.
Grade: C+
special teams
What about that fake punt?
A direct snap to Dane Belton gained 10 yards and a first down.
Jamie Gillan's first punt pinned the Eagles to their own 16-yard line, but the kick only went 43 yards.
Gillan's punt lacked his usual power.
Graham Gano made a 25-yard field goal and a 53-yard shot. This shot hit the crossbar and dropped in. Allowing a 51-yard kickoff return to Isaiah Rodgers to start the second half wasn't ideal.
Grade: B.
coaching
Offensive struggles will linger with Brian Daboll long after this season is over.
This last match was much the same.
A quick out to a wide receiver or a pass behind the line of scrimmage is enough.
Daboll rolled the dice and went for a 4 and an 8 midway through the first series, but Lock's pass fell incomplete.
Daboll probably wouldn't have made such a decision in a “real” game.
Bomb to Nabers on 4th and 2? It's a low probability call from Daboll.
Will Shane Bowen drop Brian Burns to cover tight end? Is this the best way to use Burns?
More soft coverage all over the field until late pressure. Mike Ghobrial caught the Eagles by surprise with a fake punt call in the second quarter.
Grade: F
