Everything went about as badly as it could have for the New York Giants in their trip down the Turnpike to Philadelphia on Sunday.
Aside from losing standout running back Cam Skattebo to a dislocated ankle — that is likely to cost the rookie the rest of his season — New York was on the wrong end of two controversial calls that cost it 14 points in its 38-20 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
The Giants (2-6) dropped their second straight and fell to 0-5 on the road this season. They have not won in Philadelphia since 2013 and failed to secure their first season sweep of the Eagles since 2007.
Brian Daboll Was Convinced To Challenge Tush Push Fumble
The Giants nearly pulled off the impossible in the second quarter Sunday: stopping the Eagles on a Brotherly Shove play.
Defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux ripped the ball out of Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts’ hands then had a clear recovery, which could have stymied a promising Philadelphia drive that had moved deep into Giants territory — and kept the score knotted at 7.
Yet, the officials ruled Hurts’ forward progress had been stopped, even though there had not been a whistle. Daboll was told he could not challenge the play — forward progress being stopped is not challengeable — but told reporters he was convinced to eventually throw the red flag.
“Our guys upstairs were pretty adamant about challenging the play,” Daboll said. “I have a lot of trust and faith in them, and it didn’t work out.”
Daboll lost his mind after the challenge failed, yet adding insult to injury was the fact Hurts hit Saquon Barkley for a nine-yard touchdown pass two plays later, putting the Eagles ahead for good.
“He said they called the forward progress before he reached the ball out,” Thibodeaux said, according to Jordan Ranaan of ESPN. “Sounds like some bulls— to me.”
Brian Daboll Punts On Controversial Offensive Pass Interference Call
Give credit to rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart for keeping the Giants cohesive amid Skattebo’s injury and the Eagles pulling ahead 31-13.
Dart hit wide receiver Darius Slayton in stride for what initially looked like a 4th-and-11 conversion and a 68-yard touchdown pass that could have pushed New York within 11 with about 10 minutes left.
Yet, Slayton was called for a 10-yard offensive pass interference on cornerback Quinyon Mitchell that negated the TD and forced the Giants to punt. The Eagles scored on the ensuing drive, when Hurts hit Jahan Dotson for a 40-yard TD pass, and the rout was on.
“In my head I thought I had just fought to get my arm through and catch the ball,” Slayton said. “That one was tough. The tush push fumble was a tough one. But at the end of the day, there were other plays out there to make, and we certainly could’ve executed better from our standpoint. But no doubt those type of plays hurt.”
When asked about the Slayton penalty, Daboll declined to comment — presumably to avoid logging a fine from the NFL.
âIâm not going to comment on what I think on officials,” Daboll said. “They call it, and we got to play it.”
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