The Eagles looked flawless as they outscored the Giants 38-7, earning their ticket to the National Conference Finals unfazed.
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The Giants impressed last week in the first round, but soon realized the Eagles defense had nothing to do with the Vikings sieve. Everything, everything, really everything worked in favor of the Eagles.
They totally dominated the physical battle on both fronts. The Giants’ defensive line, with Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams and Kayvon Thibodeaux, provided some hope, but the Eagles’ offensive line completely eliminated it from the picture. The return of tackle Lane Johnson certainly didn’t hurt.
Conversely, the Giants offensive line has been bullied time and time again. Right tackle Evan Neal is finishing his first season, so it’s important to be lenient, but his game was like his rookie year: extremely difficult. Quarterback Daniel Jones got so much turf in his face that he even lost a contact lens. When we say that everything is bad…
The Eagles, who led the league this season with 70 quarterback sacks, added five. The secondary also did her part by limiting Jones to 135 yards.
four headed monster
The Giants’ ground game was also a strong point for the team, but the quickly building gap in favor of the Eagles meant that Saquon Barkley, the most dangerous weapon in the offense, was become an afterthought.
Again, it was another facet of the game that the Eagles savagely dominated as they finished the game with 268 rushing yards. At the half, they had already amassed 129.
The most amazing thing about this Eagles ground performance is that the strike came from four different players. Miles Sanders led the charge with 90 yards early in the game, and then the other two runners then took over in the massacre. Kenneth Gainwell (12 carries, 112 yards, 1 touchdown) and Boston Scott (6 carries, 32 yards, 1 touchdown) also contributed, as did quarterback Jalen Hurts (9 carries, 34 yards, 1 touchdown). Even the receivers impose themselves in this facet of the game by being effective in blocking.
Hurts also dispelled doubts about his state of health, he who finished the season with a shoulder injury. He gained just 154 passing yards but looked good overall with touchdown passes to Dallas Goedert and DeVonta Smith.
no size
No, the Eagles have no major shortcomings and they are very well led by Nick Sirianni, with two coordinators in high demand in the league for head coaching positions, in Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon.
For the team, it will be the first appearance in the National Conference Finals since 2017, when they won the Super Bowl.
Many observers right now are enamored with the 49ers. The Cowboys also hit hard in the first round. The Eagles, who had finished the season unconvincingly and were off in the first round of the playoffs, served as an important callback against the Giants. Better not to forget them. They have a solid team at all levels and packed with depth.
For their part, the Giants were not level, which should not make us forget how much they have progressed this season. They reached the second round, a year after winning just four times. It’s an admirable step, even if they were no match for the Eagles.
THE STARS OF THE MATCH
The offensive line
All five Eagles offensive linemen deserve a star. They were monstrous on the ground game and Jalen Hurts was well protected. Center Jason Kelce, along with guards Isaac Seumalo and Landon Dickerson, were particularly dominant in keeping the Giants’ big tackles in check.
Haason Reddick
Hard to imagine that Reddick was in his Arizona debut a linebacker without the slightest impact. Ever since he’s really been turned into a quarterback chaser, he’s been wreaking havoc. He bothered Daniel Jones with 1.5 sacks in addition to hitting him three times.
james bradberry
The cornerback has excelled all season for the Eagles and continued the work with an interception and two knockdowns. Not bad for a player whose services were not retained last winter… by the Giants!