Giants @ Eagles
What was a completely forgettable night of football was perked up by a comical moment that has provided the first viral meme of the 2020 football season.
Video representation of the NFC East. pic.twitter.com/jpUoKM4a9z
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) October 23, 2020
Daniel Jones‘ 80-yard run, the longest run by a quarterback since Marcus Mariota‘s 87-yard run in Week 13, 2015, did end up in setting up a touchdown run by Wayne Gallman to put the Giants up 14-10 going into the 4th quarter. But it symbolized so much more – the lack of conviction in this Giants team, the chase for the top spot in the NFC East, everyone trying to run towards 2021, etc… Take your pick! It was the highlight of the night until at 21-10 down with just 7:10 left in the game, Carson Wentz finally woke up and threw 2 TDs in the final 5 minutes to secure an unlikely 22-21 victory for the Philadelphia Eagles.
And to be honest, Joe Judge and Jason Garrett deserved it. They failed to take any risks the entire game and missed several opportunities to take the game away from the Eagles. None more so than a farcical series of events when attempting a punt in the first quarter. Down 7-0 and facing 4th & 3, Judge made a late change to send on the punt team. The Eagles rushed to bring their special teams unit on and failed to cover Corey Ballentine on the left sideline. Punter Riley Dixon noticed it and gestured to the bench to ask to throw it to Ballentine. The moment passed too quickly, Judge wasn’t focussed on the game and the opportunity to extend the drive went begging. Remarkable.
https://gfycat.com/esteemedcreamycommongonolek
New York Giants
Quarterback
Daniel Jones: 20/30, 187 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT, 3 sacks, 1 FUM| 4 carries, 92 yards
Despite being hauled down by an invisible defender on that rather embarrassing 80-yard run, Daniel Jones (21.68 fantasy points) looked efficient all night in what was a conservative gameplan from offensive coordinator Jason Garrett. Fantasy owners who chose to start Jones or needed to due to the bye week will feel confident about their matchups going into Sunday’s slate of games. It looked extremely good for the Giants when Jones threw a dart to returning receiver Sterling Shepard to extend their lead to 21-10 in the middle of the 4th quarter.
A Sterling Shepard TD extends the @Giants lead!
21-10 with 6:17 remaining. #TogetherBlue
📺: #NYGvsPHI on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
📱: https://t.co/W5bCPYgMfo pic.twitter.com/JhCWovrKXu— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2020
Even the interception Jones was credited with near the end of the first half was a tipped pass that really should have been hauled in by Evan Engram. The Giants had less than 10 minutes of possession in the first half and despite Jones using his legs to force a number of 4th and short-yardage situations, Judge chose to play it safe all day and that came back to bite them. I am going to be tough on Judge and Garrett here as this offense has looked uninspiring and far too conservative all season. Jones isn’t seeing the development he needs currently, and that hurts his fantasy outlook.
Running Backs
Wayne Gallman: 10 carries, 34 yards, 1 TD | 5 targets, 5 receptions, 20 yards
Dion Lewis: 3 carries, 23 yards, 1 FUM
Devonta Freeman: 3 carries, 8 yards | 1 target
This rushing attack was always going to struggle after Saquon Barkley went down early in the season. Devonta Freeman (0.80 fantasy points) was dreadful on limited touches in the first half, including dropping an easy pass to extend the Giants’ first drive. Dion Lewis (0.30 fantasy points) also fumbled on his first carry of the game to turn over the ball. Only Wayne Gallman (16.40 fantasy points) looked competent, and it was he who got all the touches in the second half as well as hitting paydirt. He should get a go as the starter next week and maybe a worth a risky add for fantasy owners needing a one-week rental.
Wayne Gallman TD helps literally nobody 😂 pic.twitter.com/mQMf3wEug4
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) October 23, 2020
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Sterling Shepard: 8 targets, 6 receptions, 59 yards, 1 TD
Evan Engram: 9 targets, 6 receptions, 49 yards | 2 carries, 3 yards
Golden Tate: 2 targets, 1 reception, 39 yards, 1 TD
Darius Slayton: 4 targets, 2 receptions, 23 yards
Welcome back Sterling Shepard (17.90 fantasy points)– the underrated wideout immediately made this passing attack better with his excellent route running and explosive speed. He trailed Engram in terms of targets but still saw 8 passes thrown his way. Expect him to lead this offense going forward and seeing him nab a TD in his first game back is highly encouraging. Evan Engram (10.90 fantasy points) was a popular pick in fantasy drafts this year, and he has seen plenty of action with 44 targets over the first 6 games. Engram is versatile and a dominating presence around the red zone. All he needs is a few touchdowns to catapult him into the top 5 tight ends.
The forgotten man in New York is Golden Tate (10.90 fantasy points) – the former Seahawk was a big free-agent signing a couple of years ago and has been a focal point of this offense in previous seasons. This year, however, he has caught just 20 balls in 7 games, with his first touchdown coming in this game. It was a fantastic contested catch. Throw him the ball more please, Jason?!
Golden Tate is too strong on this TD 💪
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/6YNrm1HzlP
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 23, 2020
I am sorry Darrius Slayton (4.30 fantasy points) owners. This was Slayton’s worst production of the season and it is inexcusable. Please send complaint letters addressed to Jason Garrett at MetLife Stadium!
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback
Carson Wentz: 25/43, 359 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT, 3 sacks | 7 carries, 14 yards, 1 TD
Jalen Hurts: 2 carries, 2 yards
The familiar sight of Carson Wentz (28.76 fantasy points on Yahoo!) scrambling away from defenders behind the line of scrimmage was becoming very boring going into the 4th quarter. The Eagles offense had been woeful until Wentz grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck to connect with Greg Ward and Boston Scott for scores and drag the Eagles out of jail and to the top of the NFC East.
BOSTON SCOTT COMES THROUGH.
The @Eagles take the lead with 40 seconds left!
📺: #NYGvsPHI on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
📱: https://t.co/W5bCPYgMfo pic.twitter.com/QAopB1gqR8— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2020
Wentz, despite missing a number of targets with poor throws, salvaged the night for fantasy owners and eclipsed his season’s best in passing yards (359) by 89. Wentz faces the horrendous Dallas Cowboys defense next week and is only 69% rostered in Yahoo! leagues. He is a must-add for owners needing a quarterback to stream due to a bye week.
Running Backs
Boston Scott: 12 carries, 46 yards | 5 targets, 3 receptions, 46 yards, 1 TD
Jason Huntley: 2 carries, 13 yards
Corey Clement: 2 carries, 7 yards
The news that Miles Sanders was ruled out for this contest had fantasy owners scrambling for a replacement earlier this week. Those that opted to bring in Eagles backup Boston Scott (18.20 fantasy points) were rewarded with a solid showing on both the ground and through the air. Scott had seen no more than 3 carries and 2 targets over the past 4 weeks but enjoyed another outing against the Giants, something he has made a habit of in recent history.
Boston Scott: Giant slayer
His last 3 games vs. the G-Men:
🔹 358 yards
🔹 5 TDs pic.twitter.com/1vF3utj9s7— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) October 23, 2020
Scott will see a full workload if Sanders continues to miss time so he is a speculative waiver wire add or one-week hold for next week’s favorable matchup against the Cowboys. His catch for the winning touchdown was of the highest quality.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
Richard Rodgers: 8 targets, 6 receptions, 85 yards
Travis Fulgham: 11 targets, 5 receptions, 73 yards
John Hightower: 2 targets, 1 reception, 59 yards
Greg Ward: 6 targets, 5 receptions, 42 yards, 1 TD
DeSean Jackson: 5 targets, 3 receptions, 22 yards
There is nothing exciting about this receiving room, and when your 3rd choice tight end is your leading receiver you know you are in trouble. No wonder that Eagles struggled through this game until Wentz took charge. Richard Rodgers (14.50 fantasy points) capitalized on the absence of Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert with a nice showing and made an excellent 30-yard grab on the final scoring drive to help win the game. If Goedert isn’t good to go next week, Rodgers is a solid option at TE.
Travis Fulgham (12.30 fantasy points) continues to be Wentz’s favorite target in the passing game, and another 11 targets this week shows that. The former 6th-round pick out of Old Dominion has found a home for himself in Philadelphia and is a good option as a flex option through the bye weeks. He suffered from Wentz’s inaccuracies tonight despite showing off his promising route-running skills.
Greg Ward (15.20 fantasy points) has been a steady presence on the Eagles stat sheet this season, seeing 40 targets over the first 6 games. With DeSean Jackson in doubt for next week after a dirty hit from Corey Ballentine, he will continue to have relevance in this offense. He made a nice grab out of pre-snap motion to bring the Eagles back in the contest late in the final quarter.
Wentz to Ward and the @Eagles pull within 5 with 4:38 remaining!
📺: #NYGvsPHI on NFLN/FOX/PRIME VIDEO
📱: https://t.co/W5bCPYgMfo pic.twitter.com/wd3tDMr3Do— NFL (@NFL) October 23, 2020
What did not go unnoticed was another deep pass to rookie John Hightower (6.80 fantasy points) – his 59-yard grab to set up Ward’s touchdown was his second 50+ reception in as many weeks. Hightower was a flier pick in most dynasty drafts prior to the season. Keep an eye on him becoming a steady deep threat option if Jackson is indeed out.
— Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1 on Twitter)