Eli Manning and the New York Giants were coming off three straight wins, but they ran into a brick wall in Philadelphia. They mustered only 253 yards of offense and endured ugly special teams while getting blanked, 27-0, by the Eagles in primetime. Here's what we learned from New York's largest shutout loss to the Eagles since 1948.
Giants vs. Eagles 2014 final score: 3 things we learned from Philly’s 27-0 win
Eli Manning and the New York Giants got blanked by the Philadelphia Eagles defense and a creative offense in Philadelphia, 27-0.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
1. The Eagles' defense can be just as fast as their offense. Especially if your offensive line lets them.
The Giants' Eli Manning had a long day.
Eli Manning has been sacked or put under duress on 12 of 25 dropbacks. Giants have -7 total yards on those dropbacks #NYGvsPHI
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 13, 2014 Tackle Justin Pugh and the rest of the offensive line were bombarded by constant blitzes that went straight through gaps and straight into Manning. It wasn't fancy, but the Eagles were so fast that it didn't matter. The Giants' make-shift offensive line was virtually helpless. The Giants' rushing game was nearly nonexistent (52 yards on the ground with 10:33 left in the fourth), Manning barely had time to find wide receivers, and Rueben Randle and Victor Cruz were blanketed throughout the game. Manning was sacked six times. Steve Weatherford punted 10 times.
What’s worse, Cruz left on a cart with a potentially season-ending torn patellar tendon, later heading to a local hospital. It really couldn’t have gotten much worse for New York.
2. The Eagles’ offense is diverse and dangerous.
Eagles quarterback Nick Foles threw to at least seven different receivers, including catches by Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin and tight ends Brent Celek and Zach Ertz. The result? 411 yards of offense through three quarters to the Giants' 139. Behind replacement center David Molk, the Eagles' offensive line manhandled Jason Pierre-Paul and the Giants defense (though they slowed somewhat once JPP switched to defending tackle Lane Johnson.) Foles did throw two interceptions, but the Eagles' defense kept the Giants out of the end zone (or field goal range) until there were just seconds left in the game.
3. Can the Eagles be really good?
The Eagles are now 5-1 and tied for first place in their division with the Dallas Cowboys (Philadelphia has an edge for now with a 2-0 record in the NFC East; Dallas hasn't played any division games yet). Their lone loss was at San Francisco, but if they can get ahead of teams and avoid let downs (like the St. Louis Rams' near upset last week), there's no reason why they can't compete to be the best team in the NFC. Their offense is creative, their defense is incredibly fast, and they have Darren Sproles' speed on special teams (though he also left the game Sunday with a potential knee injury.) The Eagles could have a special season.
See More:
