Grayson’s Grades: Eagles vs. Giants
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Eagles halted a three game losing streak and maintained control of their playoff destiny with a 23-17 overtime win against the New York Giants.
The Eagles were booed off the field at halftime trailing the Giants 17-3. The offense was clearly shorthanded missing Wide Receiver Alshon Jeffery and Tackle Lane Johnson for most of the game. By the end of the game, the Eagles had just one healthy Wide Receiver. Still, they found a way to win.
The Eagles are now tied with the Dallas Cowboys atop the NFC East Standings. Philadelphia heads to Washington next week while the Cowboys host the Rams. The Eagles and Cowboys will meet in Philadelphia on December 22nd.
Here is the latest edition of Grayson's Grades:
A
Zach Ertz - Ertz was one of the few established receivers remaining in the Eagles huddle, yet he still managed to catch two critical touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and overtime. Somehow he was left open on more than one occasion. The reception in overtime saw Ertz break free into the endzone uncovered for the game-winning score. Ertz finished the game with nine receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns.
Boston Scott - Scott provided the spark this team was searching for early in the second half. He had just eight total yards in the first half, but managed to finish the game with 128 total yards and a touchdown. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry and 11.5 yards per reception. With his emergence came an easier time passing the ball for Wentz. He had more time in the pocket and was able to deliver a lot more completed passes. Scott finished with ten carries for 59 yards and a touchdown. He also caught six passes for 69 yards.
Josh Perkins - This might be the first time a third-string tight end is featured in the report card. But he deserves a shout-out. Perkins was not sure if or how much he would be used in this game. Once Alshon Jeffery went out with an injury, Perkins was thrust into the game more frequently. He made several key catches in the game. Perkins caught five passes for 37 yards.
Vinny Curry - Curry was the only Eagles player to register a sack. In fact, he registered two of them. Curry managed to get in Eli Manning's face frequently. He forced some hurries and eventually finished with two tackles including two sacks, two tackles for a loss and two quarterback hits.
B
Greg Ward - Ward was also featured in more plays than the coaching staff probably imagined going into the game. With the injury to Alshon Jeffery, Ward was used even more. He took advantage of his opportunities. He was ultimately targeted nine times and nearly hauled in a touchdown in the second half. The ball was batted away at the last moment by a defensive back. Ward finished with four receptions for 34 yards.
Malcolm Jenkins - Jenkins had a decent game. He had a pair of solid pass breakups. Jenkins also helped to try and keep Saquon Barkley in check on run support. Jenkins did take part of the blame for not making sure Ronald Darby heard the play call on a deep touchdown pass to Darius Slayton. Ultimately Jenkins finished tied for second on the team with four tackles including a pair of passes successfully defended. He also forced a fumble that was recovered by the Giants.
C
Carson Wentz - Wentz looked awful in the first half. Many of his throws were low or wide of the intended target. He was 11 of 19 passing for 97 yards in that half. Wentz started to find his way in the second half ultimately leading the team to two key touchdown drives in the fourth quarter and overtime. Wentz finished the game 33 of 50 for 325 yards and two touchdowns. He also fumbled the ball and lost it on a fourth and one rushing attempt in the first half.
Doug Pederson - Pederson was difficult to grade in this game. I had him listed clearly as an 'F' at halftime. I failed to understand how a team that needed to beat a 2-10 team could come out of the gate flat and fail to move the ball or score points. Pederson did not panic and kept his team focused in the second half. I felt his play-calling got better and he was able to get his offense into a rhythm. That was impressive due to all of the substitutions he had to make because of injuries to key players. By the end of the game, Pederson's offense featured one healthy Wide Receiver. I felt his play selection in overtime might have been his best series of plays called in the entire season. He managed to get his players in space and gather chunk yardage in the process.
D
None
F
Ronald Darby - Darby had an easy tackle to make to hold the Giants on third down and somehow blew it. He went above the waist and Darius Slayton was able to escape for a 35 yard touchdown. Darby got beat again in the second quarter for another deep ball. All total, Slayton owned Darby in the first half catching five passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns against him. Several Eagles defenders acknowledged after the game that Darby didn't hear the play call that led to the second touchdown pass. Ultimately, Darby tied for the team lead with five tackles including one tackle for a loss.