NY Giants studs and duds vs. Eagles: Evan Engram hits rock bottom
NY Giants TE Evan Engram’s disappointing season hit rock bottom with a costly drop that cost New York the chance to close out the game, in a 22-21 loss to the Eagles
What has been a brutal start to the season for NY Giants tight end Evan Engram hit rock bottom in Thursday night’s disastrous 22-21 come from ahead loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Quarterback Daniel Jones and the offense had the ball, a 22-16 lead, and the chance to either extend a drive through the 2:00 warning or perhaps add some breathing room with a late touchdown, until Engram let a nearly perfectly placed pass bounce off his fingertips to the turf on 3rd down and 7 with 2:07 remaining in the game.
“Got the look we wanted on third down,” Engram said afterward. “DJ threw a great ball, and just didn’t finish the play. 100 percent. I’ve got to make that.”
Engram’s drop forced the Giants to punt, and Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz nearly effortlessly guided the Eagles on a six-play, 75-yard drive culminating with an 18-yard touchdown pass that proved to be the game-winner with :40 remaining.
While Engram’s drop kicked the door open for the Eagles and effectively ended the Giants’ hopes of running down the clock for a win that would have vaulted New York up the NFC East standings, it was hardly his only mistake Thursday night.
With 10:08 remaining in the first quarter, Jones fired a bullet from about three yards away from Engram that the veteran tight end let bounce off his hands and into the arms of Eagles defensive back Jalen Mills for the interception.
Every year, it seems expectations are high for Engram to become the matchup nightmare the Giants saw when they chose him in the first-round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but this season has been an utter disappointment.
Through seven weeks, Engram has just 28 receptions for 223 yards, and his only touchdown was a rushing score against the Cowboys. Forget untapped potential, Engram’s struggles have hurt his trade value ahead of the Nov. 3 trade deadline, and he has been a liability on offense.
Engram, though, wasn’t the only Giant to struggle in Thursday night’s loss.
Scroll through for a look at the Studs and Duds from a disastrous NFC East defeat that New York snatched from the jaws of victory