Of course this was just one game against a flawed Giants defense and a team that believed it was in the same predicament as the Eagles coming in, facing the prospect of a new head coach next season.
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Coughlin, who right up until the end did everything he could to deflect any attention from his situation – he informed the media that he would not discuss a Fox Sports report claiming he planned to “ride off into the sunset” and retire – was mostly upbeat, though disappointed over how a promising season went so horribly awry. He was outspoken and frustrated.
So, don’t be so sure it was a fluke. A number of teams could be looking for new head coaches starting tomorrow, and the Giants will likely be one of them. With his big contract-$40 million-and a very underwhelming year, Murray could have been a guy the new coach tried to move to improve the roster.
“Not winning this game really put a bad taste in my mouth”, he said. With the loss, the Giants have to go to London next year to play the Rams, while the Eagles avoid the overseas trip in favor of a jaunt to nearby Seattle.
For the other five home games, the Giants will be hosting the Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals and New Orleans Saints at MetLife Stadium.
“We had a little media lineup when you guys were in there [at practice], I stayed at left guard”, Pugh said. “But when the games started, there was nothing the opponent could throw at us because we were so prepared”. After the game he said he was disappointed that he didn’t play better for Tom Coughlin. Over the Eagles’ final three games, he threw for 1,061 yards and five touchdowns, completing 95 of his 133 passes, to give him the second-highest three-game passing yardage total in team history (Donovan McNabb, 1,076 yards in 2005). Running back Rashad Jennings rushed for 170 yards on 27 carries for the Giants.
Philadelphia scored touchdowns on drive of 80, 85 and 80 yards. The result was a 54-yard touchdown run without being touched by a defender, his longest run of the season, and his longest run since his rookie year in 2011.
Manning was 24 of 43 for 302 yards and two touchdowns. Two touchdowns and an interception sat alongside his 30/38 completion rate to round out what was a progressively impressive season for the former number one overall draft pick. “I love the organization, definitely treated first class here, so it’s been great”.
The Giants got the ball back and marched down the field for a field goal.
“He’s like family to me”, Baker said. That’s not something that they’ve done consistently this season, but something that’ll be necessary come Sunday. “It’s kind of hard to block it out, but just being the realist I am, those things popped in my head”.
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“I think it helped”. Without star receiver Odell Beckham Jr., he relied on Rueben Randle – who made one play for a 72-yard touchdown – and Myles White – who had more success with Ryan Nassib under center.
