The snapshot image from the week leading up to Sunday night’s game was a custom Eagles jersey, featured the number 0 and the word “Super Bowls” written above it.
On Sunday night, the Giants got a zero of a different kind. Under the bright lights of Lincoln Financial Field, there was a blackout. It was from the jerseys of a dominant Eagles defense and the output of a Giants offense that had come into the game playing so well.
For once, the Eagles gave you exactly what you expected to see. No, a shutout against a division rival is not what was expected. But the way they won has been expected for several weeks.
A balanced offense took control, as Nick Foles put together a solid game and his receivers made some great catches – none better than Zach Ertz’ touchdown catch in the first quarter.
Foles had his moments that will need fixing before the Eagles return. Both interceptions could have been avoided, and Foles has to find other ways to rid himself of the ball without throwing it up for grabs.
Finally, LeSean McCoy put together the running game that everyone had become so accustomed to last season. McCoy rushed for 149 yards, getting great support from his offensive line and ultimately, taking what was in front of him instead of trying to create big plays. The big runs came when he utilized that space.
Defensively, the Eagles played a game that they may not duplicate this season.
What more can you say about the pass rush? Connor Barwin led the way with three of the Eagles eight sacks. Eli Manning never found a comfort level in the pocket. Feeling rushed, the Giants offense never got going, even when given short field position.
Adding injury to insult, the Giants may have lost Victor Cruz for the season on a fourth-down play in the third quarter. It was simply that kind of night for both sides.
What the Eagles needed to do this week was rise to the challenge. They were at home, in front of their fans, and the clear team to beat in the division. But they may as well have been underdogs in their own home stadium.
The response to adversity is everything. The Eagles really lost credibility when they nearly let a 27-point lead slip to the Rams. In a game with huge division implications, they rose to the challenge and turned in their best game of the season.
This comes just in time for a break. It is not a welcome break in terms of performance. After McCoy, among others, turned in their best game of the season, the Eagles get to watch from home next week.
But this is a much-needed time for recovery. Chances are DeMeco Ryans played Sunday night at less than his normal health. The offensive line, while solid on Sunday, is still missing two regular starters that will gain a week with the Eagles off. And even on Sunday, a thin group of running backs got thinner with an injury to Darren Sproles.
This team could certainly use the rest to regain health. But before that break, it was important to make a statement.
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Seattle Seahawks on the road just hours before the Eagles took the field. And there was a sense that if the Eagles struggles continued, the Cowboys would not only find themselves in first place in the division, but with control and the potential to easily unseat the Eagles from a playoff spot.
This game was the Eagles statement that they are still here, still highly efficient and still definitively in control of the NFC East until someone defeats them and takes that top spot away.
It hasn’t been a pretty 5-1 start. But Sunday night’s win was as pretty as they come.
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
