Was that the most dominant playoff performance by an Eagles team in franchise history? The Eagles completely destroyed a helpless Giants team in every facet of the game and are heading to their second NFC Championship game in five seasons.
There were so many players that stood out in the blowout win, and very few players struggled, but let’s get to the highlights of the Divisional Round win.
Stock Up: Offensive Line
Lane Johnson battled and dominated. The starting right tackle wasn’t healthy and it showed after plays but he was a part of a terrific effort from the entire unit. Philadelphia ran for over 250 yards and accumulated over 400 yards of offense.
When Jalen Hurts is only pressured three times, you know the entire group had a great game. New York’s defensive line was a very good group coming into this one and the Eagles’ entire group made them look silly.
Incredible performance.
Stock Down: A.J. Brown…kinda?
In the modern NFL, when your #1 receiver is held to just three catches for 22 yards, the team is most likely going to lose.
A.J. Brown wasn’t shut down on Sunday per see, but he didn’t have a big game. And that’s ok.
The Giants were getting gashed on the ground and it made no sense to try and throw it with the success the Eagles were having. A.J. Brown may have not had a big game so he gets on this list, but it’s not a really concerning thing.
Stock Up: James Bradberry and Darius Slay
The Giants’ receiving core isn’t very good. Still, the dominating performance by the Eagles’ corners was an incredible sight to see. Darius Slay held Isaiah Hodgins (New York’s most productive receiver) to just one catch.
James Bradberry also FINALLY got the interception he wanted against his former team as well. All-in-all these two corners played like the top unit they have been all season. Just a great overall work.
Stock Down: TJ Edwards
Here I am nitpicking one play. Edwards had a pretty good game overall and kept Saquon Barkley *mostly* in check.
But he also bit down bad on a run play that ended up gashing the Eagles in New York’s only scoring drive. The Eagles’ entire linebacking core has been very good all season, but against San Francisco or Dallas, they will need to be better next week.
Stock Up: Eagles coaches
For over a month, the analysts and fanbase were questioning the legitimacy of the coaching staff, and rightfully so. Bad play designs, poor preparation, and disappointing results led to many fans being worried about a playoff game like this.
Fear not! Philadelphia’s coaching staff, from Nick Sirianni to Jonathan Gannon were simply terrific on Sunday and made sure the team stayed focused even after a blowout win.
This coaching staff has taken a lot of flack recently but Sunday showed they are the right group for the job.
Stock Up: Jalen Hurts
Hurts is the first starting quarterback(at the beginning of the year) to win a playoff game for the Eagles since Donovan McNabb in 2008…against the Giants!
Hurts was extremely efficient on the ground and through the air and looked healthy throughout the game. The Eagles starting quarterback completed over 65% of his passes, threw for over 150 yards, and had three total scores. His 112.2 passer rating is one of the highest an Eagles quarterback has had in recent playoff history.
Philadelphia’s starting quarterback didn’t have to do much through the air Sunday, but he did a terrific job managing the game, and putting the team in a winning situation.
AP Photo/Matt Slocum
