Things have taken a sharp turn for the worse in Philadelphia. The Eagles are 2-7, and coach Nick Sirianni is denying claims that he raised his middle finger at fans.
Sunday’s 19-11 loss to the New York Giants was the team’s seventh in a row. It was also New York’s first win in South Philadelphia since 2013.
After the game, cameras showed Sirianni leaving the field alongside security chief Big Dom. He appeared to gesture toward fans who were booing, but on Monday he rejected the suggestion that he had flipped them off.
“Absolutely not,” Sirianni said. “That was a surprise to me. Absolutely not.”
Sirianni has often been an animated presence on the sideline, and his confrontational style has sometimes won over Eagles fans. But with the team struggling, any apparent clash with the home crowd is likely to draw a different reaction.
Philadelphia’s offense is depleted, with Lane Johnson retired and Jalen Hurts sidelined. Interim starting quarterback Joe Milton completed 18 of 34 passes for 169 yards, lost a fumble and was sacked seven times. Giants rookie linebacker Arvell Reese brought him down three times.
The Giants, meanwhile, leaned on a physical approach. J.J. McCarthy helped move the chains on the ground, while Jameis Winston scored the go-ahead touchdown.
After the defeat, Eagles general manager Howie Roseman traded defensive tackle Jordan Davis to Jacksonville on Monday in exchange for first- and second-round picks. Philadelphia now has 10 selections in the first two rounds across the next three drafts.
The Eagles have added plenty of future draft capital, but their current situation is bleak.
