Let’s get right to the ‘Kudos and Wet Willies’ from the New York Giants’ stunning 34-17 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night.
Kudos to …
Cam Skattebo — The rookie running back powered his way to
98 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries. Skattebo, a battering ram of a runner, imposed his will on the Eagles. He had a 4-yard touchdown run and two 1-yard scoring runs. Perhaps the only think he did wrong was commit a taunting penalty late in the game after a pass reception for a first down.
Cor’Dale Flott — The Flott-Deonte Banks rotation at cornerback ended Thursday night. Flott celebrated with a game-clinching fourth-quarter interception of Jalen Hurts that he took back from the Giants’ 9-yard line to the Eagles’ 23-yard line, setting up a touchdown that gave the Giants their final 34-17 margin of victory. Flott also had a tackle for loss on a swing pass to Saquon Barkley and a pass defensed.
Flott earned the full-time job a while ago. He left no doubt on Thursday that it belongs to him now.
Safety Tyler Nubin called Flott’s interception “one of the best plays I’ve seen,” revealing that the Giants were in ZERO coverage and Flott was 1-on-1 with Jahan Dotson, a do-or-die situation. It was the first interception of Jalen Hurts this season.
“I knew the ball was actually coming my way,” Flott said. “I knew they wanted that quick out. I just reacted to it.
“I came through when the team needed it most and got us a ‘Dub.’ Felt good.”
Lil’Jordan Humphrey — So, why didn’t the Giants elevate Humphrey for last Sunday’s game against the Saints again? The 6-foot-4, 225-pound veteran wide receiver made an immediate impact with four receptions in eight targets for 55 yards, including a 34-yard reception to help the Giants to a touchdown on their first drive of the game.
Humphrey was a critical part of the offense from the beginning. It seems unlikely there will be any more weeks when he isn’t part of the game day roster.
“He did everything we asked of him,” said fellow wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. “He just stayed ready. Whenever his number was called he was going to do everything that was asked of him and can’t thank Lil’Jordan enough.”
Wan’Dale Robinson — With six catches in seven targets for 84 yards, including a 35-yard score where he ran through a tackle attempt en route to the end zone, Robinson had an impactful night.
Without Malik Nabers and Darius Slayton the Giants needed the remaining receivers to make some plays. Robinson made one on his touchdown catch, breaking a tackle en route to the end zone.
Jaxson Dart — Veteran offensive tackle Jermaine Eluemunor was asked about Dart after Thursday’s stellar performance by the rookie.
“That kid is pretty freakin’ special,” was Eluemunor’s response.
Dart made plays with his arm Thursday, going 17 of 25 for 195 yards and a touchdown. He made plays with his legs, running 13 times for 58 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown and a couple of Houdini-esque scrambles where he made something out of what looked like plays that could be losses.
Dart also went through another concussion check, at least the second in the three weeks he has been the starting quarterback. He has talent and toughness, and it is a combination that could end up being very good for the Giants.
“I’ve liked everything about Dart since we got him,” said head coach Brian Daboll.“ Again, it’s not perfect. Not gonna be perfect, whatever it may be. But he’s got toughness, I think he sees the field well, he’s got athleticism, vision, leadership.
“But it’s three games in, 2-1 as a starting quarterback. But a lot to work on. He’ll be the first to tell you that. He’s a leader.”
Brian Burns — Burns had two of the Giants’ three sacks of Philadelphia quarterback Jalen Hurts, and now had 7.0 sacks on the season. That is tied with Nik Bonitto of the Denver Broncos for the league lead, though Bonitto has played one fewer game. Burns might be playing the best football of his career. He added two tackles for loss and two quarterback hits.
Gunner Olszewski — Olszewski had a nice night returning the ball. He had four kickoff returns for 103 yards, an average of 25.8 yards per return. His 37-yard return gave the Giants great field position on their first drive, and they capitalized with a touchdown. He also had a 15-yard punt return.
Jalin Hyatt — A game like this has been a long time coming for Hyatt. Hyatt had his first three receptions of the season, albeit for only 17 yards. He also drew a pass interference penalty on Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo that put the ball at the 1-yard line and laid the groundwork for the Giants’ game-sealing fourth-quarter touchdown.
Wet Willies to …
Tush Push — I just hate the play. The Eagles ran it four straight times starting on third-and-1 at the Giants’ 3-yard line to get a second-quarter touchdown. To their credit, the Giants stopped the play twice. D.J. Davidson, though, got carted to the locker room after the final one. Fortunately, the defensive tackle did not suffer a serious knee injury and returned to the game in the second half.
Paulson Adebo — The Giants’ CB1 had a tough night. He spent most of it shadowing A.J. Brown, and the unofficial numbers from Pro Football Focus had Adebo giving up seven catches in 10 targets for 70 yards. He also had a 25-yard defensive pass interference penalty.
Kwillies to …
Theo Johnson — The second-year tight end had a 22-yard reception. He also, though, had a drop on a third-and-2 that could have been a big play on the first drive of the second half. There have been times with the Giants where that drop would have been the beginning of an unraveling as a team. Not this time, though.
