With the New York Giants up 17-3 at halftime and in full control of a dismal Eagles team, head coach Pat Shurmur managed to blow a significant lead, allowing Philadelphia to score 20 straight points and edge a win out at home.
The Giants and veteran passer Eli Manning started the game off hot, logging 179 yards and two touchdowns at the half, mostly on the back of wide receiver, Darius Slayton, who had both scores for the offense. However, it wasn’t enough to stop an Eagles team featuring third-string wide receivers and a gang of tight ends.
Zach Ertz finished the night with two scores, despite him being the only serviceable target Carson Wentz had available. The reality is, the Giants couldn’t stop their one good player and were void of the simple double-cover logic.
The New York Giants blew more than just a game:
Monday night’s loss to the Eagles could spell the end of Eli Manning, but we initially thought that when he was benched after two straight losses to open the season. Even Eli’s wife Abby was present at the game, despite refusing to ever step foot in Lincoln Field again after inexcusable chatter from Philly fans in the past.
This was a different scenario, as Manning expressed the importance of the game.
“Hadn’t played in a few months,” he said. “I don’t know if I’m gonna play again. So it was pretty obvious why it was important.”
He followed up his cautious response by stating he would decide “next year” on his future in the NFL, and if there’s any team that would offer him a starting job at quarterback. It’s clear he’s prepared to continue playing, but it ultimately boils down to the interest he draws from other teams and if any are willing to give him a chance.
It’s hard to imagine Manning playing on any other team, but his brother Peyton did a similar thing, making it a possibility.