Two weeks ago, the Eagles were a total disaster. Two weeks ago, fans were calling for Chip Kelly’s head. Two weeks ago, the Eagles’ season looked like it was over.
Now, they’re in first place.
The Eagles crushed the injury-plagued Giants, 27-7, at Lincoln Financial Field on Monday Night Football.
With the win, the Eagles improved their record to 3-3 and overtook first place in the NFC East. Although the Giants are also 3-3, the win on Monday night gave the Eagles the advantage in head-to-head play.
The Eagles’ offense again got off to a slow start but eventually got on the board in the first half to tie the game at 7-7. Nolan Carroll’s pick-six gave the Eagles a 14-7 lead and they never trailed again.
The Giants’ touchdown on their first drive of the game ended up being their only points on the night. The Eagles' defense settled in to have a fantastic game.
The Eagles outgained the Giants 425-251 on the night.
Turning point
The Giants were up 7-0 in the first quarter and were driving to take a two-score lead. That’s when Eli Manning tried to pass the ball to tight end Larry Donnell and Eagles linebacker DeMeco Ryans simply ripped it away from him for the interception.
The play came at a point when the Eagles just couldn’t stop the Giants and turned the tide. The Eagles scored to tie the game at 7-7 on the ensuing possession.
Key stat
The Eagles forced three turnovers for the third time this season after having four such games all of last season. They haven’t lost a three-takeaway game since 2010, now 18 straight games.
Offensive stud
DeMarco Murray really got it going on a third-quarter scoring drive, when he carried the ball five times for 41 yards and capped the drive with a 12-yard touchdown that put the Eagles up 24-7. He finished with over 100 yards for the first time as an Eagle.
Riley Cooper wasn’t catching the ball all over the field but he continues to somehow be a deep threat. He caught a couple of long balls, including a 32-yard touchdown pass in the first half.
Offensive dud
Sam Bradford did enough for the Eagles to get a win but wasn’t very sharp against a porous Giants pass defense. He threw three interceptions. It was his first three-interception game since his first NFL start — Sept. 12, 2010.
Defensive stud
Ryans had a really strong first half. He not only had the game-changing interception but he also recovered a fumble after Malcolm Jenkins forced the ball to pop out.
Carroll’s first-half pick-six was the first of his career and was his first interception since 2013. That gave the Eagles a 14-7 lead.
The Eagles’ defensive line as a whole was unstoppable for the Giants’ offensive line on Monday night. Manning, who has been getting the ball out very quickly this season, was sacked four times.
Defensive dud
Hard to find one for the Eagles. They played a really solid game after the first Giants drive went for a touchdown.
Injuries
Ryans hurt his hamstring in the first half and did not return. Wideouts Cooper and Josh Huff got hurt early in the third quarter but both returned. Darren Sproles left the game in the third quarter to be evaluated for a head injury but returned.
Up next
The Eagles are back on the road next week to take on the undefeated Panthers (5-0) in Carolina on Sunday night. The bye week follows before the Eagles have another Sunday Night Football game, this time in Dallas.
Next week, the Giants host the Cowboys for a 4:25 p.m. kickoff on Sunday afternoon before traveling to face the Saints the following week.
