Monday, October 13, 2014

Eagles dominate Giants for first shutout in 18 years

Philadelphia, PA -- LeSean McCoy got back on track and the Philadelphia Eagles finally put it all together in a 27-0 rout of the New York Giants on Sunday night.

It was Philadelphia's first shutout win since Dec. 1, 1996 against the Giants in a game whose outcome nobody could have predicted in a division which has played better than expected. 

McCoy, who won the NFL rushing title last year with 1,607 yards, had been limited to 273 yards on the ground entering Week 6. But the Pittsburgh product exploded for 149 yards on 22 carries on Sunday.

Nick Foles completed 21-of-34 passes for 248 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions for the Eagles (5-1), who are tied with Dallas for first place in the NFC East. The Cowboys came away with an impressive 30-23 win over the Seahawks in Seattle earlier Sunday.

Philadelphia's defense sacked Eli Manning six times, with linebacker Connor Barwin accounting for half of those sacks. The Eagles, who wore all-black uniforms for the first time, ended with eight sacks overall.

"We're pleased with the performance tonight, but we're not satisfied," said Eagles coach Chip Kelly after his team beat Big Blue for the fifth straight time on a weekend prime-time matchup.

It was a painful loss for the Giants, who watched star wide receiver Victor Cruz suffer a torn patellar tendon in his right knee in the third quarter. Additionally, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie left the game with back spasms.

Manning was limited to 151 yards on 13-of-23 passing for New York (3-3), which had a three-game winning streak snapped. The Giants had scored 30 or more points in each of those wins.

Rookie Andre Williams carried the ball 16 times for 58 yards. The Boston College product made his
first NFL start in place on an injured Rashad Jennings, who is expected to miss a few weeks with a sprained MCL.

The Eagles came out flying behind the legs of McCoy, who carried the ball four times for 36 yards on the game's opening possession. Cody Parkey capped the 10-play drive with a 31-yard field goal.

After New York went three-and-out, Foles led Philadelphia on another 10-play drive. Riley Cooper caught a 14-yard pass before McCoy ripped off an 18-yard run. Zach Ertz capped the march with a 15-yard TD catch.

The Giants picked up a 3rd-and-19 on the ensuing possession, then shot themselves in the foot with penalties. An offensive holding and delay of game preceded Manning being sacked. Another sack for the Philadelphia defense led to a punt.

The Eagles added another touchdown after starting from the 47-yard line of the Giants with 10:07 left in the first half. On the third play, Foles hit a wide- open James Casey for a 26-yard score.

Philadelphia took a 20-0 lead on Parkey's 45-yard field goal with 4:25 remaining. The Eagles were driving for a potential knockout blow on their next possession, but Antrel Rolle picked off Foles.

New York had a chance to get back in the game after Zack Bowman picked off Foles early in the third quarter. Tight end Larry Donnell had a 15-yard TD catch nullified due to offensive holding. Odell Beckham then came up with an 18-yard catch on 3rd-and-14.

The Giants decided to go for it on 4th-and-goal from the 3. Cruz dropped what would have been a touchdown before grabbing his right knee. It appeared that Cruz's knee buckled as he tried to make the catch.

Philadelphia put the game away with a drive that went 97 yards. Speedster Darren Sproles capped the series with a 15-yard TD run. Sproles, though, eventually left the game with a left knee injury.

Notes: Cruz entered the game with 21 catches for 321 yards and one touchdown this season. In 14 games last year, he hauled in 73 passes for 998 yards and four scores ... The Eagles have won eight straight regular-season home games ... Philadelphia, which has a bye week next week, racked up 448 total yards on offense.

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