Giants Fall to Eagles 45-38 in Wild Shootout: The Giants lost to the Eagles 45-38 in a wild shootout at the Meadowlands on Sunday night. The loss dropped the Giants to 7-6 and 3-2 in the division. The Eagles have now beaten the Giants four games in a row, including last season’s playoff loss. The defeat also means it is extremely unlikely the Giants will win the NFC East this year as the 9-4 Eagles are not only two games up on the Giants, but own the head-to-head tiebreaker.
Philadelphia won despite the Giants out-gaining the Eagles in first downs (27 to 20), total net yards (512 to 374), total plays (72 to 53), net yards rushing (133 to 77), net yards passing (379 to 297), and time of possession (34:46 to 25:14).
Not only were the Giants hurt by shoddy defense (allowing 31 offensive points), but also a 60-yard fumble return for a touchdown after HB Brandon Jacobs lost the ball in the first quarter, and a 72-yard punt return for a touchdown.
The Eagles led 30-17 at halftime. After two touchdowns in the third quarter, the Giants did hold the lead 31-30 for one brief moment. But the Eagles scored the next two touchdowns before New York scored a final touchdown late in the 4th quarter.
QB Eli Manning finished the game 27-of-38 for 391 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. He did fumble the ball away twice.
Highlights of the game are available at NFL.com.
Post-Game Notes: RT Kareem McKenzie left the game in the second quarter with a knee injury and did not return. CB Corey Webster suffered a sprained knee.
WR Hakeem Nicks started in place of WR Mario Manningham. Nicks had four catches for 110 yards against the Eagles, including a 68-yard touchdown.
WR Steve Smith set the Giants’ season-singled reception record with 83. The previous record was held by former Giants’ WR Amani Toomer, who had 82 catches in 2002.
Inactive for the Giants were HB Gartrell Johnson, WR Ramses Barden, WR Sinorice Moss, TE Bear Pascoe, OC Adam Koets, OT Guy Whimper, DT Rocky Bernard, and CB D.J. Johnson.