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TURNING POINT**
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WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE
The offense jumped out to a fast start and gave the Giants their first lead since Week 2 with an opening-drive touchdown. They aired it out early – Eli Manning completed a 49-yard pass to Hakeem Nicks – against an Eagles defense that entered the game last in the NFL in yards allowed. They were able to punch it in with a five-yard touchdown run, but the offense stalled from there, punting on the next five possessions (with a pair of three-and-outs) with a lost fumble in between. However, with good time in the pocket, Manning turned things around with back-to-back touchdowns to wide receiver Rueben Randle to regain the lead. But the turnover bug returned, and three fourth-quarter interceptions led to the Giants' fifth loss to start the season.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE
Philadelphia gashed the Giants defense with big plays at the right times. The Giants were unable to get off the field on third down, including Michael Vick's 34-yard scramble to convert a third-and-20 that led to a field goal in the first quarter. The Giants allowed receptions of 20 yards or more to four different receivers, including DeSean Jackson's long of 56 yards. They didn't have much success against backup quarterback Nick Foles, who entered after Vick hurt his hamstring in the second quarter. Foles completed nine of his first 11 passes and went on to throw two touchdowns that would put the game out of the reach of New York. The Giants did a good job, however, of bottling up the NFL's leading rusher, LeSean McCoy, and had nine tackles behind the line of scrimmage. But it wouldn't be enough as the Giants gave up at least 30 points for the fifth-straight game.
WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS
After giving up their second punt return for a touchdown of the season last week, the Giants clamped down on their coverage units and didn't allow a return longer than six yards until the game was out of reach late in the fourth quarter. The Giants didn't get much going in their return game, either, as a first-half injury to David Wilson led to Jerrel Jernigan taking over kickoff return duties.
ROOKIE WATCH
Justin Pugh started his fifth game at right tackle. Inactive for the first four weeks, DT Johnathan Hankins played in his first NFL game and notched five solo tackles, including one behind the line of scrimmage.
