Eagles vs. Giants Top Plays (Week 12, 2021)

This is the game that the Giants wanted all year. We cost them a chance at the playoffs (ignoring their own failures) and they wanted revenge. Thanks to a painful performance from the Eagles offense, they got it. We all know that Giants fans are going to be insufferable for the next week, if not more, and the longer I think about it, the angrier I get, so let’s just talk about what went well.

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Almost Play

The Game Slips Through Reagor’s Hands… Twice

This is more of a Jalen Hurts highlight than a Jalen Reagor highlight, as Hurts gave Reagor two catchable passes that the second-year receiver flat out dropped (twice). Hurts was BAD today, but almost got away with an admittedly undeserved win. Forgetting about the three picks on the day, Hurts did what you want to see franchise QBs do: put his team in a position to win the game. If you consider the Boston Scott fumble, you could argue the Eagles almost won the game three times. Almost. I’d hardly call the two drops Hurts’ fault though, a QB can only do so much.

Individual Plays

3-15:00 26 Breaks Free for 27

I’m sure there are many Eagles fans that look forward to every time Sanders gets to touch the ball. Unfortunately, due to his injury history (which may even cost him an extension), those opportunities have been limited. Fortunately for Eagles fans, Miles Sanders is very good, and whenever he has the chance to touch the ball, he has the chance to take off for a big gain.

1-3:17 Quez Watkins Toe Drag

In my humble opinion, this has everything that you want to see in a highlight: clutch conversion, long gain, toe drag magic, man coverage, all in a one-score game. It would have been even better if this drive ended in points, but you take what you can get.

3-10:40 Cox Gets Penetration

Fletcher Cox doesn’t always light up the stat sheet. He mostly opens up holes for other. Whether that’s worth $20 million is another discussion entirely. Regardless, it was nice to see Cox proving himself a disruptor, snuffing out a run play in the backfield and tackling the running back for a loss.

3-5:25 Barnett Buries Back in Backfield

Barnett made a big play on defense! As Nick Sirianni said, “it’s always him.” Wait, that’s not what he meant… Oh well. Barnett’s sadly been quiet this season despite some of his teammates prognosticating that he would have a breakout year. Multiple Eagles players have found their way into the backfield, but I can’t remember the last time there was a thirteen-yard TFL. I won’t trick myself into thinking this means Barnett will be consistent enough to get an extension, but it was a nice couple of seconds.

4-1:19 “Gravedigger” Puts Jones in the Dirt

It’s a fair argument that this isn’t a highlight, as Javon Hargrave was at the right place at the right time. Regardless of context (you won’t hear me say that often), Hargrave was the one who first made contact with Jones that forced a punt. Though Jones slid voluntarily, Hargrave was the first one to make conduct, and thus gets credit for the tackle for loss.

1-6:53 Darius Slay Saves TD

On the downside, the Giants ended up scoring, anyways, but Slay prevented this play from ending up worse than it could have been. In the 10, it was basically guaranteed that the Giants were going to score. The play by Slay was “damage control.” Not to be biased or anything, but Slay was my midseason MVP and has been one of the few consistent bright spots on a rebuilding squad. If we could just get Andrew Booth Jr. with our second or third first-rounder, I’d be 100% satisfied.

2-6:55 Steven Nelson Does His Best Darius Slay Impersonation

Steven Nelson is probably one of the best CBs the Eagles have had in previous years. Take from that what you will. Similar to Slay, Nelson had a pass breakup in the end zone that was the difference between three points and seven. 106.5 passer rating when targeted be damned, Nelson had a big play here and should get the same praise Slay did for his defensive play, even if one has been more consistent.

4-2:59 “Mad Ox” Saves the Game

Quite possibly the biggest non-scoring play of the game. 3rd and 7 with under three minutes left in the game, the Giants can either score a TD to ice the game or burn the clock. Avonte Maddox, who just got extended, got between the defender and the ball to force a punt. Even though the Eagles didn’t win this game, this was a huge play in terms of giving the Eagles a chance to win.

4-15:00 Boston TD Party (for One)

Boston Scott claims sole possession of the Eagles’ points for the day. The Eagles would have had two more touchdowns if Reagor didn’t have hands made of wet toilet paper, but I digress. Scott punched it up the middle of the field on a halfback power draw to begin the fourth quarter.