Eli Manning and the New York Giants put up big numbers offensively but still fell short of a victory against the Philadelphia Eagles.
- New York Giants 29 (2-12)
- Philadelphia Eagles 34 (12-2)
- NFL, Week 15, Final, Box Score
- MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Unfortunately, the New York Giants first half offensive explosion was not enough as the offense only scored six points in the second half and were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles, 34-29.
It was a thrilling game from start to finish, but the Eagles prevailed in large part to Nick Foles four touchdown passes as they swept the season series from the Giants and clinched a 1st round bye in the NFC playoffs.
Orleans Darkwa began the scoring on a 1-yard touchdown which culminated a 13-play, 75-yard drive by the Giants. The extra point was blocked by Derek Barnett.
ICYMI: #NYGiants strike first on @OrleansDarkwa's one-yard TD run. (PAT blocked) Giants 6, Eagles 0 in the 1st. pic.twitter.com/xWsg88GpB0
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 17, 2017
The Eagles would answer back on their first drive marching 75 yards on just seven plays and took a 7-6 lead on a Nick Foles 3-yard touchdown to Alshon Jeffery.
17 with the fancy footwork. #Eagles take the lead.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/raTzsanfoF
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 17, 2017
The Eagles lead would be short-lived as Big Blue answered back 10 plays later on an Eli Manning 13-yard touchdown to Tavarres King to go back in front 13-7.
ICYMI: Eli Manning finds Tavarres King for a 13-yard touchdown! #NYGiants lead 13-7 pic.twitter.com/wsD1Aqs2ia
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 17, 2017
The Giants defense forced the Eagles to punt on their next possession and gave the ball back to the offense at their own 20-yard line.
It would take the Giants only four plays to score again as Manning connected with Sterling Shepard on a 67-yard touchdown giving the Giants a 20-7 lead. Shepard managed to somehow stay inbounds as he ran down the left sideline.
MUST WATCH! @sterl_shep3 takes it 67 yards for Eli Manning's 50th career TD pass vs. the Eagles (most against one opponent) pic.twitter.com/AVp47j1YXt
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 17, 2017
But after that, things began to unravel for the Giants.
With 6:29 remaining in the half, cornerback Ronald Darby intercepted a Manning pass that was intended for Roger Lewis and ran it back to the Giants 20-yard-line.
Five plays later the Eagles would score on a Foles 10-yard touchdown to Zack Ertz to cut the Giants lead to 20-14.
Back in the lineup, back in the end zone.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/PSWJRw78AU
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 17, 2017
The Giants would go three and out and their next drive and to make matters worse Brad Wings punt was blocked and the Eagles took over at the Giants 18.
The Eagles would go in front 21-20 three plays later on a Foles 13-yard touchdown to tight end Trey Burton.
Stay warm, friends.#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/ZkDUm5OFIi
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 17, 2017
The Giants would retake the lead 23-21 and close out the scoring in the first half on an Aldrick Rosas 28-yard field goal.
The Eagles would reclaim the lead on the first drive of the second half driving 64-yard on 11 plays and settle for a Jake Elliott 28-yard field goal.
The Giants offense could not answer on their first drive of the second half going three-and-out, and after a Brad Wing 34-yard punt the Eagles took over at their 41-yard line.
It would take the Eagles just five plays to capitalize and score their fourth touchdown of the game as Foles connected with Nelson Agholor on a 10-yard touchdown to go up 31-23.
Whoa, Nelly#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/5H4CCm9gL0
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 17, 2017
The Giants would respond on their next drive as Manning connected with King on a slant that King took to the house for a touchdown. King suffered a concussion on the play as he dove for the pylon. The Giants tried to tie the game on a two-point conversion, but Manning was sacked and the Eagles remained in front 31-29.
MUST WATCH!! Eli to King for a 57-yard Touchdown. (2-pt conversion miss). Eagles 31, Giants 29 pic.twitter.com/e0aosmoWI4
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 17, 2017
The Giants had a chance to take the lead on their next possession, but Rosas 48-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Malcolm Jenkins.
The Eagles would extend their lead to 34-29 on a 20-yard field goal by Elliott with 3:56 remaining in the game.
The Giants began their next possession at their own 20-yard line and marched all the way down to the Eagles 6-yard line. Facing a 4th and goal from the 6, right tackle Bobby Hart had a crucial false start that backed the Giants back to the 11. On the next play, Manning tried to connect with Evan Engram in the end zone but the pass fell incomplete with just 48 seconds remaining in the game.
With the Giants still having all three of their timeouts remaining and the defense forcing a 3 and out, the offense got the ball back at their 27-yard line with 13 seconds remaining.
Manning connected with Engram for a gain of eight on first down, and then connected with Shane Vereen on second down who lateraled the ball to Roger Lewis who was immediately tackled by Malcolm Jenkins to end the game.
After the game, head coach Steve Spagnuolo talked about how he was proud of the effort his team showed. One of the performances he was surely proud of was that of Eli Manning who completed 37 out of 57 passes for 434 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.
It was Manning’s ninth career game with over 400 yards passing.
The Giants will look to put forth the same effort and hopefully get a win on Christmas Eve as they go to Arizona to take on the Cardinals.
