On Sunday at MetLife Stadium, the Philadelphia Eagles defeated the New York Giants. What did we learn from this NFC East encounter?
Last Sunday at Los Angeles, the Philadelphia Eagles won a game and a division title but lost a league MVP candidate. Quarterback Carson Wentz went down with a torn ACL in the team’s 43-35 victory over the Rams. Veteran Nick Foles would enter the contest and made some key plays to ensure the win.
Now the Birds play their third consecutive road game, this time against the highly-disappointing New York Giants. Big Blue owns a 2-11 record, is winless within the division (0-4) as well as the conference (0-9) and has dropped six of their last seven meetings in this NFC East rivalry.
Would both of these teams continue to head in opposite directions on Sunday? It was a very entertaining first half at East Rutherford as the Eagles and Giants combined for 44 points and six touchdowns. There were more fireworks in the second half as well. But it would all add up to a thrilling 34-29 victory for the visiting Birds,
Three Stars
1. QB Nick Foles
Philadelphia rallied from a 20-7 second-quarter deficit and the team’s backup quarterback answered the bell. Foles threw for 237 yards and four scores in the comeback victory.
2. QB Eli Manning
In a losing effort against the Eagles, Manning hit on 37-of-57 passes for a whopping 434 yards and three touchdowns with one interception.
3. S Malcolm Jenkins
The savvy pro was all over the field on Sunday. Jenkins totaled seven tackles on defense, a pair of stops on special teams and blocked a field goal in Philadelphia’s five-point win. The Eagles also blocked a PAT and punt in the victory as well.
More fansided.com: NFL power rankings, Week 14: Eagles, Steelers clinch division titles
Odds
Even with Wentz on the shelf, the Birds were substantial road favorites to complete the sweep of the Giants. The conservative over/under of 40 wasn’t an inviting prospect entering this contest.
Next Week
It’s Christmas time in the City of Brotherly Love as the NFC East champion Philadelphia Eagles host the Silver and Black. The Birds host the Raiders for the first time since 2005. On the other hand, the New York Giants head west to take on the disappointing Arizona Cardinals.