New York Giants: 3 Big takeaways in loss vs. Eagles in Week 6
The New York Giants were embarrassed by the Philadelphia Eagles 34-13 Thursday night at MetLife Stadium. Here are three big takeaways from that debacle.
In their most important game of the 2018 NFL season, the New York Giants fell flat on their face in an embarrassing fashion, dropping a 34-13 decision to the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night at MetLife Stadium.
This was a total disaster for the G-Men in almost every way.
Here are three big takeaways from that contest.
1. Big Blue’s season is finito
The Giants dropped to 1-5 with the loss and although they are not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention by all intents and purposes their NFC playoff hopes are dead — finito. Aside from the brilliant Saquon Barkley (more on him later), Big Blue was listless, lethargic and totally inept in their biggest game of the season. There is absolutely no excuse for that.
The return of Olivier Vernon (two tackles, one sack) gave New York a brief spark defensively, but the Giants played this crucial contest with all the intensity of a mid-August preseason contest. This team has fallen apart and that is a huge indictment on head coach Pat Shurmur.
2. Saquon Barkley is a unique talent
I said months ago that the rookie halfback from Penn State reminds me of Hall of Fame running back Barry Sanders — and I think Barkley is a better receiver out of the backfield. The Bronx native was one of New York’s few bright spots with 229 yards from scrimmage (130 rushing, 99 receiving) and their lone touchdown on a 50-yard burst.
His power, burst through the hole, balance, ability to spin and cut on a dime and great athleticism takes your breath away. He is the leading candidate for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and one of the few reasons to watch the G-Men moving forward. Barkley is a special, unique talent with Hall of Fame ability.
3. Time to move on from Eli Manning
It’s not all his fault because New York’s offensive line still stinks but it’s time to move on from veteran quarterback Eli Manning. The Giants won’t do it, but the two-time Super Bowl MVP is simply not the answer moving forward. He looks like he is close to being washed up. It’s a fact that he was under constant pressure — he was sacked four times and took eight QB hits — but many of his passes (24-of-43, 281 yards, one interception) were off the mark and he simply has no escapability when the pocket collapses (which is often).
Next. NFL Week 6: One hot take for each team. dark
His interception on the second play of the game set a negative tone for the entire contest. Big Blue is going nowhere fast this year so it’s time to turn to Kyle Lauletta and see what the rookie signal-caller can do. Why not at this point?