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.”
NY Giants can’t close after Evan Engram costly drop in 22-21 loss to Eagles
Evan Engram's fourth quarter drop proved costly, as the NY Giants coughed up a 21-16 lead in the waning moments, falling to the Eagles 22-21.
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
QB Daniel Jones – STUD
In a lot of ways, Daniel Jones looked like he came of age as a quarterback in a hostile environment and arguably the biggest game of his young NFL career.
Jones, after the Giants’ defense slammed the door on Wentz and the Eagles at the two-yard line, orchestrated a methodical 15-play, 97 yard drive that he capped with a seven-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Sterling Shepard. On the possession, which lifted the Giants to a 21-10 lead, Jones completed 7-of-9 passing attempts and looked every bit the part of a franchise quarterback.
Beyond his poise under pressure in a big spot, Jones continued to flash his athleticism, once again leading the Giants with 90 rushing yards, including an 80 yard run that would have been for a touchdown had the 15-yard line not jumped up and made the tackle.
The Giants didn’t get the result they hopped on the train to Philadelphia in search of, but Jones’ performance, 20-of-30 passing for 187 yards with two touchdown passes, and one interception, has to inspire confidence.
DB Jabrill Peppers – DUD
Peppers continues to struggle in coverage.
Undoubtedly, Peppers is going to want the play on the game-winning touchdown back, where he allowed Eagles running back Boston Scott to get a step on him along the sideline before Wentz hit Scott on a perfectly-placed throw for an 18-yard score.
But that wasn’t the only play Peppers gave up.
Peppers also let Wentz bounce off him and into the end zone for the Eagles’ first touchdown of the game on their first possession.
A liability in coverage and prone to missed tackles, it’s difficult to find a position where Peppers excels at this point.
WR Golden Tate – STUD
On the first drive of the Giants’ second possession of the game, Tate was blanketed in coverage by Eagles defensive back Cre’Von LeBlanc, but Tate managed to haul in a 39-yard touchdown pass from Daniel Jones. It was Tate’s first touchdown of the season, and only his 20th catch of the season.
With Eagles Pro Bowl cornerback Darius Slay traveling against Darius Slayton, the Giants desperately needed another wide receiver to step up, and Tate certainly did his part, making his one catch count.
RB Dion Lewis – DUD
Dion Lewis only logged 12 carries prior to Thursday night, zero in the Giants’ two previous games, and showed why on his first touch Thursday.
Lewis took a handoff from Jones and coughed up a fumble the Eagles recovered with :43 remaining in the first half at the Giants’ 42-yard line. Fortunately for the Giants, Eagles kicker Jake Elliott missed a 29-yard field goal to end the half, or else Lewis’ fumble would have been truly disastrous.
Finishing with 23 yards, 19 of which came on one run, Lewis showed Thursday why he’s been relegated to a distant third in the running back pecking order.
RB Wayne Gallman – STUD
With Devonta freeman knocked from the game with an ankle injury, and Lewis kicking the ball all over the turf, Gallman emerged as a steadying presence in the running game in the second half.
Gallman finished with 34 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, including a 14-yard scamper.
However, Gallman’s biggest contributions came on the Giants’ 97-yard march down the field where he caught two passes for 17 yards that helped keep the chains and the momentum moving for the Giants.
If Freeman is forced to miss any time, beginning in 11 days against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football on Nov. 2, it will likely be Gallman at the top of the depth chart after his strong performance against the Eagles.
OT Andrew Thomas – DUD
Thomas, the Giants’ first-round pick in April’s NFL Draft, started at left tackle after being benched to begin last week’s game against Washington for missing a team meeting, but his play didn’t inspire much confidence that he should remain in the starting lineup.
Already giving up more quarterback pressures than any other Giants lineman, Thomas allowed a first half sack and several hurries.
The Giants are wise to let Thomas try to play his way through his early-career growing pains, but there is going to come a point where continuing to play him at left tackle without any help from a blocking tight end is going to become reckless. If fellow rookie Matt Peart continues to play at the high level he did against Washington and the Eagles, it isn’t difficult to envision Thomas and Peart potentially swapping sides.
LB Devante Downs – STUD
Devante Downs started at inside linebacker, and had one of his strongest performances of the season.
On the Eagles’ first possession, Downs burst through the line of scrimmage and punched quarterback Carson Wentz backward on a 3rd-and-1 quarterback sneak attempt. Later, with :33 remaining in the first quarter he nearly sacked Wentz but forced an intentional grounding penalty.
Downs finished with five tackles, one quarterback hit, and acquitted himself nicely in extended playing time, potentially earning an expanded role in the Giants’ banged up linebacking corps.
CB Corey Ballentine – DUD
Typically a favorite target of opposing quarterbacks — as he was once again of Wentz — Ballentine completely whiffed on his opportunity to potentially make a game-changing play on a pass that would have actually been intended for him.
Ballentine, lined up as the gunner on a first quarter punt, was wide open after head coach Joe Judge ran the Giants’ offense on the field on 4th down before pulling them off for the punt unit with under :12 remaining on the play clock. Punter Riley Dixon appeared to notice Ballentine was uncovered, and rather than realizing it himself, the cornerback took off downfield taking away any possibility for a possible fake and potential game-altering play.
On defense, Ballentine was frequently identified and targeted by Wentz, which has become a running theme of the second-year defensive back’s career.
WR Sterling Shepard – STUD
There was no “easing” Sterling Shepard back into action, in his return from turf toe suffered back in Week 2.
Shepard caught six of his eight targets for 59 yards and a two-yard touchdown from Jones in the second half.
The Giants expected Shepard to play a vital role in the passing game, and he took a big step towards filling the void of a reliable second option opposite Darius Slayton in Thursday night’s game.
DB Madre Harper – DUD
Madre Harper looked the part of an NFL practice squad player, as he melted down and played a starring role in the Giants’ fourth quarter collapse.
Victimized on a touchdown pass to Greg Ward, Harper was senselessly called for unnecessary roughness after the play. Later, Harper kneed Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson in the back of the head after Jackson fielded a punt, which shortened the field for Wentz and the Eagles offense.
The Giants are banged up at cornerback, and neither Ballentine or rookie Darnay Holmes (out Thursday with a neck injury) have looked all that competent, but with 11 days until their next game, the front office must find a better option than Harper.
CB James Bradberry – STUD
James Bradberry, who has made a strong argument as the most gifted player on the Giants’ roster, entered Week 7 as the No. 5 ranked cornerback in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus. Following Thursday’s performance, don’t be surprised if Bradberry vaults up the rankings.
In the first half, Bradberry made an acrobatic play to intercept Wentz in the end zone, slamming the door shut on a potential Eagles touchdown.
He also made five tackles and broke up a pass.
For as many question marks as the Giants have in the secondary, Bradberry has emerged as a cornerstone player as he continues to prove each week this season.
Matt Lombardo is the site expert for GMenHQ, and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday for FanSided. Follow Matt on Twitter: @MattLombardoNFL.