Eagles Clinch a Playoff Spot but Turn the Giants’ Outlook Gloomier

The Giants started the season 7-2, a surprising performance under Daboll, their first-year head coach, and Joe Schoen, their first-year general manager. The Giants engineered four fourth-quarter comebacks, led by Barkley, who ranked fourth in the N.F.L. in rushing yards (1,055) entering Sunday. Jones has also improved his play, throwing only four interceptions this season. But the Giants are now on a four-game winless skid. Starting on Nov. 20, they have lost to the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys, tied the Washington Commanders, 20-20, and lost to the Eagles.

Still, entering Sunday, they held the No. 6 seed in the N.F.C. postseason bracket, but the loss dropped them out of playoff position. The Giants will play at Washington (7-5-1), another playoff contender, next Sunday.

“You’re going to have ups and downs, but it’s who you are in those moments,” Barkley said. “What better opportunity to — after the game, being embarrassed on TV in front of everyone, everyone outside of us saying, ‘The sky is falling, the sky is falling’ — what better opportunity to come in and go against a divisional opponent, go to your home and try to get a win.”

The Giants split their two games against the Eagles last season, but Philadelphia is much improved. The Eagles’ offense entered Sunday ranked second in scoring, thanks to its potent option-based scheme led by a stout rushing attack and the addition of Brown at receiver. The Eagles hold the best record in the league and Hurts, a third-year quarterback, has emerged as a candidate for the Most Valuable Player Award. Eagles Coach Nick Sirianni, in his postgame news conference, said he had been told in the locker room that his team had secured a playoff berth, but he was not overly enthusiastic.

“I was like, ‘Oh, that’s nice,’” he said. “We got way bigger goals, and it’s on to the next one.”

With six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, and the outcome no longer in doubt, Sanders got his second score of the day when he jolted down the sideline for a 40-yard rushing touchdown. Conceding defeat, Daboll inserted his backup quarterback, Tyrod Taylor, who lost a fumble on the next drive as fans departed MetLife Stadium in perhaps a mood that was more downtrodden than the weather.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/11/sports/football/eagles-giants-score.html