The New York Giants almost had their first win in three months. Almost.
And then the Philadelphia Eagles scored 20 unanswered points and needed overtime to knock off the Giants, 23-17, to send them to their ninth straight defeat.
In the return for Eli Manning, the Giants were oh so close in this one. But in a season of mishap and the unfortunate, even the future Hall of Fame quarterback couldn’t help the Giants on Monday night, even when at times, Manning turned back the clock and looked like the guy we all saw win two Super Bowls.
Instead, the Giants reverted back to their losing ways in the second half and let the Eagles steal steal their sixth straight victory against them.
Whose stock is up and down for the Giants following the loss to the Eagles.
Stock up: Eli Manning
Manning has been on the bench since mid-September and had been carrying a headset on game days since Daniel Jones took over.
And yet, because of an ankle sprain, Manning was asked to go back into the lineup and try to give the Giants a winning effort. And that’s exactly what he did.
Manning threw for two touchdowns in the first half and breathed a lot of life into the Giants. He kept the mistakes down, the turnovers down, and looked like he had done this job since 2004.
If Jones can’t go next week, Manning proved that he still has something left in the tank and can start next week, and if needed, the rest of the season.
Stock down: Will Hernandez
Hernandez is considered one of the Giants’ best offensive lineman and should continue to get better, but he’s experienced a bit of a sophomore slump at times.
The second-year guard missed a few blocking assignments that lead to Saquon Barkley getting stopped for losses or no gain on Monday night — something that’s becoming a theme.
Hernandez is a better player than this and he should improve. With that said, it hasn’t been his best work on the field.
Stock up: Darius Slayton
Slayton continues to show the Giants and everyone else why he can be a potential big-play threat and target down the field.
Eli Manning utilized him well in the first half of the game, finding him for 154 yards and two touchdowns against the Eagles.
Why Slayton didn’t get his number called more in the second half is beyond any of us, but with that said, the rookie receiver had a tremendous game in what has been a very good rookie season.
Stock down: Jon Halapio
At times, Halapio can play well and be productive. And then there are times where Halapio shouldn’t be the every down center.
With Spencer Pulley sitting there and given his past, it’s very clear that Pulley, and not Halapio, should be the starting center.
Halapio was called for a penalty and got beat on several blocks, which again bodes the question: why is he still starting and not Pulley?
Stock up: Oshane Ximines
The rookie pass rusher has been rather quiet in his first season, but on Monday night, he made his presence felt big time.
Ximines sacked Carson Wentz twice and had several key stops needed for the Giants on defense.
Games like this are good building blocks for a young player to learn from and go from. And given the Giants desperate need for pass rushers to emerge, it would be great if Ximines could emerge a bit as one after this performance.
Stock down: Pat Shurmur
This loss really may be the final nail in the coffin for the head coach.
The Giants had this game. They were leading 17-3 at halftime. And then the Giants decided to give the game to the Eagles.
No adjustments were made to stop Philadelphia. Darius Slayton suddenly became a ghost. And the Giants reverted back to the team that lost nine games in a row after a beautiful first half.
That falls at the feet of Shurmur, who may be a dead coach walking for the final three weeks of the season and could lead to him being dismissed at the end of the season.
