Turns Out The Eagles Are Still Really Good
Based on the way many people, including the National Media, have talked the last couple of weeks, you would have thought the Eagles were in trouble. Turns out the rumors of their demise were greatly exaggerated. Because on Saturday night when they took the field vs the Giants, the Eagles looked like they had all season. Elite. This one was never even close. They kicked the Giant’s ass. Beating them down to the tune of 38-7. It turns out this Eagles team is still really good.
They started fast, and never looked back. They scored a TD on 4 of their 5 first-half drives. And on the other side, they forced three 3 and outs, got an interception, and a turnover on downs. Hurts’s arm got them out to an early lead, and then the run game took over for the most part. It was utter domination for the first half of the game. They took a 28-0 lead into the locker room at the half.
The Giants moved the ball a bit more in the second half. And the Eagles’ offense slowed down a bit too. But it didn’t matter. The Eagles had built themselves such a massive cushion, the Giants couldn’t come back. Jonathan Gannon’s soft zone worked to treat, letting the Giants bleed their own clock down. And then in the 4th quarter, the Giants made the baffling choice to punt it away down 21 with 12 minutes to go. The Eagles capitalized on that cowardly mistake and put the game away. They manufactured an 8-minute-long drive that ended in a field goal. It left just 5:16 on the clock. Nowhere near enough for the Giants to even attempt a comeback.
So why were people concerned again? Because they did not look good with Gardner Minshew at QB? Or because in week 18 they looked shaky with a very vanilla gameplan? It all seems so silly now. And it was always silly. This team has looked elite all year. Of course they would shift it back into gear for the playoffs. This team is overflowing with talent on both sides of the field. When they are playing at the top of the game, there is no good way to stop this offense. And despite the hate Gannon gets, his defense is at the top of every defensive stat you would care about.
They will await with the 49ers or the Cowboys next Sunday at 3 pm in Philly. Hopefully, people have learned their lesson and won’t be panicking all week again. They have proven time and time again that they are really good. Doubt them at your own peril.
