Eagles vs. Giants: Eli Manning throws five touchdowns in season finale

However, the action off the field was very important: for starters, the Eagles’ draft pick - No. 4 overall - was cemented. But significantly more important is some news long in the making, but that isn’t yet: it appears Philadelphia will fire Andy Reid Monday. Dan Klausner of Bleeding Green Nation sent the coach off after 14 seasons with the Eagles:

Reid was reportedly told of his firing Friday, and it will be made official on Monday.

While this season was certainly a disappointment for the defending champs, there were some major positives in the blowout over the Eagles. Ed Valentine of SB Nation’s Giants blog Big Blue View was very encouraged by the play of some of the Giants’ youngsters, especially David Wilson and Rueben Randle:

McCoy never had a chance as the Eagles went down big early and had to abandon the run.

Fantasy Impact: Shady finishes the season with 840 rushing yards and two touchdowns, adding 54 catches for 378 yards and an additional three scores. It was a relatively disappointing year for a guy drafted in the Top 5 in most fantasy leagues.

Fantasy Impact: Bradshaw had a solid game and finished the season with 1,015 yards, but he battled lingering injuries all year and was never really 100%.

Bradshaw turns 27 in March, and between the injuries and a young Wilson hungry for more playing time, his fantasy stock is trending downwards for 2013.

The Giants went on to win 42-7 to finish the season 9-7.

Fantasy Impact: Cruz heads into the offseason with a final season line of 86 receptions, 1,098 yards and 10 touchdowns. It’s a very similar line to his breakout 2011 year, even if Manning’s struggles deflated his yards total.

The Giants finish 9-7 but were knocked out of the playoffs when Chicago won their game.

Fantasy Impact: It was a nice effort to close out the season, but Manning’s awful second half slump burned many fantasy owners. He’s probably the biggest reason the Giants won’t be playing in January.

Winners:

Losers:

That’s Henry “The Rhino” Hynoski, doing just about the best imitation of a rhino a human person can do. Breathtaking really. Like we’re in the tall grass of the Serengeti, and there are tsetse flies buzzing everywhere, spreading disease.

Fantasy Impact: Eli Manning has largely been a fantasy disappointment this season. He has been inconsistent throughout 2012 and failed to live up to lofty expectations.

For those fantasy owners still playing in Week 17, Manning is putting together an MVP performance. The only issue that might arise is the Giants pulling too far ahead and sticking to the run.

If anyone doubted Andy Reid had any hope of keeping his job after this season, the Philadelphia Eagles’ opening kickoff against the New York Giants might have clued you in: Andy Reid is probably done, and is coaching like Sunday is his last day. It is awesome.

That is the opening kickoff, and that is an onside kick, recovered by the Eagles. That would have simply been amusing, but five plays later, Michael Vick threw an interception to Giants DB Stevie Brown, who returned it for 48 yards. Then the Giants scored a touchdown.

The Giants are not expected to rest starters during their regular season finale, due to a sliver of hope that they can still make the playoffs. Rookie David Wilson may push Bradshaw for touches within the Giants offense, however.

For more fantasy info, head over to the SB Nation Fantasy War Room 4-8:30 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Check out SB Nation’s own Fantasy Football game, Pick 6!

For more fantasy info, head over to the SB Nation Fantasy War Room 4-8:30 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday. Check out SB Nation’s own Fantasy Football game, Pick 6!

It wasn’t the ending a team known for its late-season charges expected. The Giants had the NFC East in their control, but three losses in four December games pushed them out of the NFC East race.

Philadelphia, long since eliminated from playoff contention, take on the slumping Giants in what’s likely the last game for the league’s most tenured coach, Andy Reid. The Eagles (4-11) have beaten the Giants five straight times on the road, and have won eight of the last nine games between the bitter rivals.

The Philadelphia Eagles have been an objective mess this season, but there’s one thing all involved with the Eagles can agree upon: beating the Giants.

Sunday, Dec. 30, 1 p.m. ET