The Giants.com crew breaks down the 34-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 16.
John Schmeelk: A young quarterback getting his first NFL start was always going to be a big hill to climb. The issues with the Giants' offense haven't been all on the quarterback position, and there was never a silver bullet that was going to fix all them at once.
It doesn't mean there couldn't have been improvement, but the success of quarterbacks also depends on what is going on around them. According to Pro Football Focus, the Eagles got pressure on Giants quarterbacks on 40% of their drop-backs on Sunday, with Jake Fromm having an average time to throw of only 2.6 seconds. It is hard to function in an offense when that happens. The execution needs to be better in all phases.
Dan Salomone: Defenses don't always dictate when and where they are going to take the field, but they can decide how they do it. The defensive side of the ball kept the Giants in the game, but it was only a matter of time before the dam broke with an offense that punted on eight of its first 11 possessions. The other three ended with a field goal and two interceptions, the first of which came on the opening drive of the second half. The Eagles promptly turned it into a touchdown. A quick three-and-out on the next possession led to a Philadelphia field goal and a 10-point game, which felt like a much deeper hole for a team that has averaged 11.5 points over six games since the bye week.
"That can't be a situation where all the sudden it feels insurmountable," coach Joe Judge said after the game. "We just have to go ahead and play one play at a time, one drive at a time and keep playing the game."
Judge added, "[The defense] did a lot of things to keep us in the game today. Then obviously when you can't do anything offensively to get the ball moving, that sets you behind and there's not too much more that the defense can do to hang on there."
Lance Medow: Through 15 games of the season, the Giants are averaging 16.5 points per game (tied for 30th in the NFL) and the offense has produced no more than 21 points 12 times and 10 points or less in four of the past six outings. When you have that type of a track record, the last thing you can afford to do is give favorable field position to the opposition and that, unfortunately, is what happened in Sunday's loss to the Eagles.
Tied at 3, the Giants opened the third quarter with the ball. But on the second snap, Jake Fromm was picked off by Rodney McLeod, which gave the Eagles the ball at the New York 21. Philly capitalized with Boston Scott's 3-yard TD run - yet it was still very much a game. But after the Giants went three-and-out, Jalen Reagor returned a punt 39 yards to the Giants 21. It was déjà vu all over again. Although the Eagles settled for a field goal, the trend continued as on their next possession, they started at their own 43 and marched five plays for another TD and a 20-3 lead. If your offense struggles to produce 20 points, the margin for error is very small.
View all the action from the Week 16 NFC East matchup between the Giants and Eagles in Philadelphia.
WR Kenny Golladay
DL Dexter Lawrence
QB Jake Fromm
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley, right, rushes against Philadelphia Eagles' T.J. Edwards during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley rushes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Pharoh Cooper, left, is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles' Alex Singleton during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
New York Giants' Jake Fromm plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Kadarius Toney plays during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Kenny Golladay plays during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Joe Judge walks the field during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles' Miles Sanders, center, is tackled by New York Giants' Logan Ryan, left, an Xavier McKinney during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton plays during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Graham Gano kicks a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Kadarius Toney plays during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Joe Judge coaches during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Jake Fromm plays during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Graham Gano kicks a field goal during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Jake Fromm plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Jake Fromm plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter (59) forces a fumble by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
New York Giants' Jake Fromm plays during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
New York Giants' Mike Glennon passes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Mike Glennon plays during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles' Steven Nelson, right, tackles New York Giants' Darius Slayton during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
New York Giants' Mike Glennon plays during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Mike Glennon plays during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter (59) reacts to a missed field goal by the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
New York Giants quarterback Jake Fromm (17) yells a play during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
New York Giants' Pharaoh Cooper plays during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
New York Giants outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter (59) forces a fumble by Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) during the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley runs during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
New York Giants' Kadarius Toney, top, dives over Philadelphia Eagles' Josiah Scott during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
New York Giants' Evan Engram, right, and Kadarius Toney celebrate after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
New York Giants' Evan Engram catches a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Mike Glennon passes during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Laurence Kesterson)
New York Giants' Evan Engram catches a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Kadarius Toney plays during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Evan Engram catches a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants' Mike Glennon passes during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
RB Saquon Barkley
P Riley Dixon
DL Leonard Williams
DL Leonard Williams
CB James Bradberry
WR Kadarius Toney
CB James Bradberry
WR David Sills V
New York Giants' Jake Fromm warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Dec. 26, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
QB Jake Fromm
QB Jake Fromm
QB Jake Fromm
QB Mike Glennon
QB Jake Fromm
P Riley Dixon
QB Jake Fromm
QB Mike Glennon
QB Jake Fromm
QB Jake Fromm
S Xavier McKinney
S Julian Love
WR Kadarius Toney
WR Kadarius Toney
S Julian Love
S Julian Love
QB Jake Fromm
S Xavier McKinney
S Xavier McKinney
S Xavier McKinney
S Xavier McKinney
LB Tae Crowder
S Xavier McKinney
DB Logan Ryan
S Xavier McKinney
LB Tae Crowder
QB Jake Fromm
TE Evan Engram
QB Jake Fromm
TE Evan Engram
QB Jake Fromm
QB Jake Fromm
QB Jake Fromm
WR Kenny Golladay
LB Quincy Roche
FB Elijhaa Penny
LB Jaylon Smith
OL Billy Price
LB Quincy Roche
T Korey Cunningham
S Julian Love
WR Kenny Golladay
DL David Moa
LB Jaylon Smith
FB Cullen Gillaspia
WR Kenny Golladay
LB Lorenzo Carter
DL Austin Johnson
DL Raymond Johnson III
P Riley Dixon
CB Aaron Robinson
LB Reggie Ragland
T Andrew Thomas
G Will Hernandez
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