Eli Manning, Zach Ertz
ESNY Graphic, Getty Images

After taking a 17-3 halftime lead on Eli Manning’s hot start it all went downhill for the New York Giants in Philadelphia against the Eagles. 

Jason Leach

  • New York Giants 17 (2-11)
  • Philadelphia Eagles 23 (6-7)
  • NFL, Final, Overtime, Box Score
  • Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA

Eli Manning returned to thunderous applause Monday night. Unfortunately, it didn’t last.

The (2-11) New York Giants dropped their ninth-straight game, falling by a final of 23-17 in overtime to the (6-7) Philadelphia Eagles on Monday Night Football.

It was a heartbreaking defeat. The Giants were hoping the return of Manning would lead them to a much-needed win. But instead, they keep finding new ways to lose, and now the best quarterback in the history of the franchise sports a regular-season record of 116-117.

After two shaky possessions to start the game, the offense caught fire on the third possession. Driving 57 yards on seven plays culminated in a Manning 35-yard touchdown to Darius Slayton to put Big Blue up 7-0.

https://twitter.com/Giants/status/1204218811731382282?s=20

The Eagles would respond on their next possession on a Jake Elliott 34-yard field goal to cut the lead to 7-3.

Big Blue would answer the 34 Eagles field goal with one of its own when Aldrick Rosas connected on a 34-yard field to make the score 10-3.

On their last offensive possession of the first half, the Manning to Slayton connection would strike again on the Giants’ next possession, this time for a 55-yard score. The Giants would take a 17-3 halftime lead.

https://twitter.com/Giants/status/1204229287773007875?s=20

Slayton had an outstanding first-half, catching five passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. The defense was playing fast and getting pressure on Carson Wentz often, and Manning was red hot.

But then it all went downhill in the second half.

The Eagles began chipping away at the lead late in the third quarter. Boston Scott scored on a two-yard run to make the score 17-10.

The Giants offense couldn’t muster anything in the second half. None of their second-half possession lasted more than four plays.

Philadelphia would tie the game with 1:53 remaining in the fourth quarter on a Wentz to Zach Ertz two-yard touchdown.

Following a three-and-out by the Giants on their last possession of regulation, the game went to overtime. The Eagles won the coin toss and drove the ball at will against the tired and deflated Giants defense.

It took the Eagles eight plays to travel 75 yards, ultimately ending with another two-yard touchdown pass to Ertz for the game-winner.

Once again the Giants’ inability to cover tight ends was on full display. Ertz finished with a game-high nine receptions for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

Despite losing his top wide receiver, Alshon Jeffery, in the first half, Wentz finished the game completing 33 of 50 passes for 325 yards and two scores. The Giants secondary was once again overmatched.

After a red hot first half, Manning finished the game completing 15 of 30 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns.

With the loss, the Giants have tied the franchise’s longest losing streak ever. They’ll look to avoid losing their 10th in a row on Sunday against the (3-10) Miami Dolphins at MetLife Stadium.

Jason's first love was football while growing up in northern New Jersey. For the past three years, he has covered the New York Giants, as well as several boxing events along the East Coast.