Big Blue View - Eagles 35, Giants 30: Curtain falls on season, but what about Coughlin?Your place for year-round New York Giants discussion and informationhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47371/bigblueview_fave.png2016-01-03T18:06:56-05:00http://www.bigblueview.com/rss/stream/104678612016-01-03T18:06:56-05:002016-01-03T18:06:56-05:00Coughlin on the way out? Giants players hope not
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<figcaption>Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Players don't want to see the veteran coach go but know he might.</p> <p>EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> players understand that a third straight losing season could mean the end of Tom Coughlin's time as coach of the team. Those who spoke to the press after <a href="http://www.bigblueview.com/giants-eagles-2015-nfl-schedule-week-17-final-score-recap-news/2016/1/3/10704680/giants-eagles-final-score-recap-">Sunday's season-ending 35-30 loss</a> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> all expressed support for the coach.</p>
<p>Here is some of what players were saying Sunday in a somber Giants' locker room:</p>
<p>Offensive lineman <span>Justin Pugh</span>:</p>
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<p>"I love him. He's the one who drafted me and gave me a chance. Like I've been saying, he's a future Hall of Famer. I know one day I'm going to look back and say I played for Tom Coughlin and learned a lot of great things from him."</p>
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<p>Wide receiver <span>Hakeem Nicks</span>, who is in his second stint with the Giants:</p>
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<p>"He still has the same command when he walks in the room. He is still Coach Coughlin to me. He is going to get on you when he needs to get on you and he is going to let you know when you do things right, as well, so it has been a pleasure playing for him -- I love him as a coach and I love the way he motivates his teams."</p>
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<p><span>Rashad Jennings</span> on whether or not he wants Coughlin to return:</p>
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<p>"Oh, 1000 times, yes. Are you kidding me? That is a guy that has so much command in the room, so much respect amongst his peers and us. We will fight for him, continue to follow him and there is no doubt in my mind that [he] is the man for the job.</p>
<p>"I say it all the time, my two years of playing under Coach Coughlin, one of the things that stuck out about him when he was speaking to us as a whole entire team, he said one thing and I wrote it down and it is kind of a staple of how I perceive him. He said that, "Faces may change, but expectations never will." He leads that way, he knows the secret recipe to success and there is no question that he is an outstanding coach, and I am definitely proud to play under him."</p>
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<p><span>Prince Amukamara</span> on trying to think about the possibility of Sunday having been Coughlin's last game:</p>
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<p>"It's kind of hard to not think about it. I would say everyone in this organization tried real hard to not talk about it. It's funny, it was kind of like subliminal messages, like, "We know who we're playing this game for, and let's finish." And we didn't finish. I'm sure everyone feels like they let that person down. To answer your question, I would say everyone tried real hard to not talk about it."</p>
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<p><span>Eli Manning</span> on the potential end of Coughlin's career:</p>
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<p>"Whether it is or not, he's been a great coach early on in my career, just teaching me the importance of preparation and making me draw up every single blitz that the team had done each and every week—how I protected, what my callouts would be, how to prepare for third down in the green zone and the game plan and practice and compete every day as a gift. So, he's been a great influence on me."</p>
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<p>Center Weston Richburg on whether he would like to see Coughlin back for his 13th season:</p>
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<p>"Of course. I think everybody in this room would. He's one of the best."</p>
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<p><span>Mark Herzlich</span>, who has been a Giant since 2011, on Coughlin:</p>
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<p>"I haven't see too many people who have been in the game this long who have maintained this type of love for the game, this type of energy. He's an unbelievable teacher and leader ... I love the guy and I hope to be playing for him next year."</p>
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https://www.bigblueview.com/2016/1/3/10705552/ny-giants-eagles-post-game-quotebook-reaction-players-support-tom-coughlinEd Valentine2016-01-03T16:07:51-05:002016-01-03T16:07:51-05:00Giants-Eagles final score: Philadelphia wins, 35-30
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<p>Recap of the Giants' Week 17 contest against the rival Eagles.</p> <p>EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- In what could be Tom Coughlin's last game as the head coach of the <a href="https://www.bigblueview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Giants</a>, Big Blue couldn't defeat their arch rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, losing 35-30 at MetLife Stadium.</p>
<p>Let's recap.</p>
<h4>First Quarter</h4>
<p>The <a href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Eagles</a> drew first blood on the first drive of the game, courtesy of a 54-yard touchdown run by former All-Pro running back DeMarco Murray. It was the longest run of the season for Murray.</p>
<p>On the Giants' first drive, Big Blue was able to move the ball up the field thanks to several solid runs by <span>Rashad Jennings</span>. On a third-and-7 at the Eagles' 44-yard line, <span>Eli Manning</span> scrambled from the pocket to the Eagles' 35-yard line for a first down. However, a costly holding penalty on guard <span>John Jerry</span> negated the first down, and after an incomplete pass on the third down retry, New York was forced to punt and downed Philadelphia inside their own 5-yard line.</p>
<p>After a three-and-out by the Eagles, the Giants again were on the move on offense. Thanks to chunk plays by <span>Will Tye</span> and <span>Andre Williams</span>, the Giants were quickly able to get into the red zone, but unable to capitalize. <span>Shane Vereen</span> caught a screen pass and was able to get a first down within five yards of the end zone, but the Giants could not score a touchdown. <span>Josh Brown</span> connected on a 22-yard field goal to put the Giants on the board.</p>
<p>The next Eagles drive would result in another huge play, this time by tight end <span>Zach Ertz</span>. On a no-huddle, shotgun play, Ertz found an open seam up the middle and took it up the field for 60 yards to the Giants' 6-yard line. On the next play, running back <span>Darren Sproles</span> bounced to the outside untouched for another touchdown run.</p>
<h4>Second Quarter</h4>
<p>The third Giants drive started at the end of the first quarter and Big Blue again was able to drive into the Eagles' red zone, but once more settled for a Josh Brown field goal. On a third-and-5 from the Eagles' 7-yard line, Eli Manning was sacked.</p>
<p>However, the Giants would get the ball back quickly. On the Eagles' fourth play of their next drive, <span>Jason Pierre-Paul</span> tipped a <span>Sam Bradford</span> pass attempt into the air, and it was intercepted at the Eagles' 35-yard line by linebacker <span>Jonathan Casillas</span>, the first of his career. The Giants would find the end zone on the ensuing drive, with <span>Will Tye</span> catching an out-route pass and stiff-arming linebacker <span>Mychal Kendricks</span> on his way to a touchdown score, cutting the New York deficit to one point.</p>
<p>But the Eagles would strike back on the next drive, using 16 plays to find the end zone for the third time. The Eagles converted on four third-down plays during the drive, which included several big plays by Ertz and wide receiver <span>Jordan Matthews</span>. On a second-and-goal play, Matthews caught a 4-yard touchdown pass on a fade route to the corner of the end zone, which would extend the Philadelphia lead back to eight points.</p>
<p>The Giants' final drive before the half would result in a 13-play, 80-yard drive capped by a Rashad Jennings touchdown run. The key on this drive was three straight chunk plays courtesy of Shane Vereen, who single-handedly moved the Giants from their own territory into the Eagles' red zone. Vereen totaled 45 yards on this drive alone. Jennings punched it in from the 2-yard line with 13 seconds left in the half, and the Giants went into halftime trailing, 21-20.</p>
<h4>Third Quarter</h4>
<p>The Giants received the ball to start off the second half, but could not take the lead. Jennings broke off a 23-yard run into Philadelphia territory, but Manning failed to keep the ball moving through the air. <span>Brad Wing</span> punted the ball again inside the Eagles' 5-yard line and showed off a nice golf swing.</p>
<p>On the ensuing Eagles drive, <span>Ryan Mathews</span> fumbled on the first play but was downed by contact. Tom Coughlin challenged the play, but the ruling on the field was upheld and the Giants lost a timeout. On the next play, Zach Ertz would catch a 21-yard pass, and Giants safety <span>Brandon Meriweather</span> left the game with a knee sprain after making the tackle. Later on the drive, Murray ran the ball to the left side, but <span>Jasper Brinkley</span> forced a fumble on the tackle and <span>George Selvie</span> recovered it for Big Blue. The Giants would need just one play to take the lead for the first time, as Eli Manning hit <span>Rueben Randle</span>, who beat ex-Giant Walter Thurmond III down the field, on a 45-yard touchdown strike.</p>
<p>The Giants then held the Eagles to a three-and-out on their next drive, highlighted by a <span>Trevin Wade</span> pass deflection on third down. On the ensuing drive, the Giants were able to drive it into the red zone once again, but Eli Manning threw a costly interception to Thurmond. Eagles linebacker <span>Connor Barwin</span> was able to get around left tackle <span>Ereck Flowers</span> to tip the ball, which Thurmond plucked out of the air and returned 83 yards for a touchdown to regain the lead for Philadelphia.</p>
<p>On the next drive, the Giants drove the ball into Philadelphia territory, but Shane Vereen was stopped quickly on a third-down halfback draw play, and New York was forced to punt. The Eagles started the fourth quarter with the ball and a 28-27 lead.</p>
<h4>Fourth Quarter</h4>
<p>At the start of the fourth quarter, the Eagles drove the ball all the way to the Giants red zone, highlighted by a 24-yard catch by <span>Brent Celek</span> over the head of Casillas. On a first-and-10 at the Giants' 19-yard line, Bradford fired a quick slant to rookie wide receiver <span>Nelson Agholor</span>, who collided heads at full speed with Giants cornerback/safety <span>Trumaine McBride</span>, who walked off the field on his own power. On the next play, however, the Eagles would find Jordan Matthews in the end zone again. It was the Eagles' fourth drive of at least 80 yards in the game.</p>
<p>On the ensuing Giants possession, Big Blue was able to cut the deficit to five after a 48-yard Josh Brown field goal.</p>
<p>The Eagles got the ball back, and the Giants defense was finally able to make a stop, forcing the Eagles to punt the ball with just under two minutes remaining, giving Big Blue a chance to win the game.</p>
<p>The Giants took the field with less than two minutes to go, but couldn't pull it out. Manning was able to convert on one fourth down on a short pass to Beckham, but was unable to convert on a second fourth down attempt to Will Tye. The pass was thrown behind Tye and broken up by linebacker Mychal Kendricks. The Eagles kneeled the ball, and defeated the Giants, 35-30.</p>
<h4>What It Means</h4>
<p>The Giants finished 6-10 for a second straight season, third in the NFC East. In terms of scheduling, they will play the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl/teams/st-louis-rams" class="sbn-auto-link">Rams</a> in London next season and are in position for a top-10 selection in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nfl-draft" class="sbn-auto-link">NFL Draft</a>.</p>
<h4>Stat Stuff</h4>
<p>Rashad Jennings continued to be the bell cow for the Giants, rushing for 123 yards and a touchdown in the first half alone. Jennings finished the game with 170 yards on the ground, and Big Blue rushed for a season-high 208 yards in the game. In the third quarter, Odell Beckham was able to break the record held <span>Randy Moss</span> for most receiving yards in a player's first two seasons. However, Beckham was limited from making much of an impact in the game, catching just five passes for 54 yards.</p>
<h4>What's next?</h4>
<p>A long offseason full of many questions, in terms of possibly both staff and personnel changes. Tom Coughlin's job status should be addressed this week, maybe as soon as tomorrow.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/giants-eagles-2015-nfl-schedule-week-17-final-score-recap-news/2016/1/3/10704680/giants-eagles-final-score-recap-Stephen Milewski2016-01-03T15:35:19-05:002016-01-03T15:35:19-05:00Retirement party? Sunday all about Coughlin
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<img alt="Tom Coughlin during Sunday's game" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/VASFndPsloPDimZP6rQTNEc29gk=/0x0:3985x2657/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48486967/usa-today-9034849.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tom Coughlin during Sunday's game | Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>We don't know yet if Sunday was TC's last game, but it sure felt like it.</p> <p>EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Sunday at MetLife Stadium may or may not have been a retirement party for <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> coach Tom Coughlin, but it certainly felt like one.</p>
<p>The veteran coach, under fire and expected by many to resign following a third straight losing season, <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/giants/coughlin-entire-family-metlife-final-game-article-1.2483930?utm_content=buffer9bddd&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=RVacchiano+Twitter">had his entire family at MetLife for Sunday's game</a> against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>.They were spotted before the game wearing "Coughlin's Crew" sweatshirts.</p>
<p>The Giants couldn't complete the day with a victory for their coach, falling, 35-30. They had the ball at their 20-yard line with 1:51 left and no timeouts. There hasn't been any magic around the Giants and Coughlin for a while, however, and there wasn't any Sunday. The drive stalled at the Giants' 42 when a fourth-and-10 pass to Will Tye fell incomplete.</p>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Regardless what happens. Ive fought for him, fought alongside him. He's the finest man Ive ever met. We should all be THANKFUFL for him <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/TC?src=hash">#TC</a></p>
— Steve Weatherford (@Weatherford5) <a href="https://twitter.com/Weatherford5/status/683755266068865030">January 3, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">All the best to Coach Coughlin, thank you for everything, you turned a lot of boys into men which is his greatest accomplishment! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYG?src=hash">#NYG</a></p>
— <span>Terrell Thomas</span> (@TerrellThomas24) <a href="https://twitter.com/TerrellThomas24/status/683707575074820097">January 3, 2016</a>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="und"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WinForCoughlin?src=hash">#WinForCoughlin</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ok33tJDQUX">pic.twitter.com/Ok33tJDQUX</a></p>
— <span>Nat Berhe</span> (@NatBerhe) <a href="https://twitter.com/NatBerhe/status/683685212417490944">January 3, 2016</a>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">G-men get this W today for one of the greatest coaches of all time @ MetLife Stadium <a href="https://t.co/Q8psRO9PCm">https://t.co/Q8psRO9PCm</a></p>
— <span>Daniel Fells</span> (@danielfells85) <a href="https://twitter.com/danielfells85/status/683684381416882176">January 3, 2016</a>
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<h4>Fan reaction</h4>
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<p lang="und" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NYG?src=hash">#NYG</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Giants?src=hash">#Giants</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/Giants">@Giants</a> <a href="https://t.co/lcaAwPq0jn">pic.twitter.com/lcaAwPq0jn</a></p>
— Aaron McGhee (@JMac_G) <a href="https://twitter.com/JMac_G/status/683710371606216706">January 3, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">WATCH: Giants coach Tom Coughlin walks onto field ... for final time? <a href="https://t.co/dWjwaobEqj">pic.twitter.com/dWjwaobEqj</a></p>
— Sandra_FCB (@SandraC_FCB) <a href="https://twitter.com/SandraC_FCB/status/683713739883954176">January 3, 2016</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/Giants">@Giants</a> season ending today.. but it would be even harder if this man is not the head coach at least for 1 more yr <a href="https://t.co/iH2XZmwVjK">pic.twitter.com/iH2XZmwVjK</a></p>
— SALSA KING (@DIONETTVATON) <a href="https://twitter.com/DIONETTVATON/status/683735692258742272">January 3, 2016</a>
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https://www.bigblueview.com/2016/1/3/10704558/tom-coughlin-ny-giants-retirement-party-sunday-sure-felt-like-oneEd Valentine2016-01-03T14:30:41-05:002016-01-03T14:30:41-05:00Giants vs. Eagles halftime score: Giants trail, 21 - 20
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<figcaption>Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Use this as your second-half open thread</p> <p>As far as the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles are concerned, the 2015 season only has two quarters left.</p>
<p>Barring a trip to overtime, that's 30 minutes of game time until the final post-game press conferences, and the hard work of making harder post-season decisions begins. Thirty minutes until the teams can begin the process of building towards the 2016 season.</p>
<p>If this game truly is the last one that Tom Coughlin will coach, Coughlin deserves to be sent out on a high note. With Odell Beckham returning from suspension, the potential is there for some fireworks to close the season.</p>
<p>But of course, the Giants would only look to Beckham twice in the first half. Instead, the Giants' offense was carried by Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, and Will Tye.</p>
<p>Eli Manning finished the first half completing 11 of 19, for 128 yards and 1 touchdown. Shane Vereen caught four straight passes for 53 yards and Will Tye caught 3 for 36 yards and a touchdown.</p>
<p>The real work is being done by Jennings, who has already amassed 117 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries (6.8 ypc) in the first half. That is the Giants' season high for rushing yardage for a single running back.</p>
<p>The Giants defense has largely been non-existant, particularly in the middle of the field, although Jason Pierre-Paul has a pair of passes defensed, one of which resulted in a tip-drill interception by Jonathan Casillas.</p>
<p>Enjoy the final half of Giants football until August, and use this as your second half open thread.</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/giants-eagles-2015-nfl-schedule-week-17-final-score-recap-news/2016/1/3/10704414/ny-giants-vs-philadelphia-eagles-halftime-score-21-20-tom-coughlin-eli-manning-odell-beckhamChris Pflum2016-01-03T14:27:44-05:002016-01-03T14:27:44-05:00WATCH: Will Tye's Shake and Bake TD<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/GenomaDeportivo/status/683728427279593476">WATCH: Will Tye's Shake and Bake&nbsp;TD</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>Will Tye an undrafted rookie tight end was being covered by a 30 million dollar linebacker and made him look silly.</p></p></div>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2016/1/3/10704884/watch-will-tyes-shake-and-bake-tdDanBerkman2016-01-03T12:35:56-05:002016-01-03T12:35:56-05:00No Odell One Handed Pre-Game Catches<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="https://twitter.com/JordanRaanan/status/683686128180965377">No Odell One Handed Pre-Game&nbsp;Catches</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>A few sources are reporting that Odell Beckham will not be doing his usual ritual of warming up by making one handed passes. Perhaps it is a sign of maturity, a change in Odell's attitude towards himself or maybe a self imposed penalty.</p></p></div>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2016/1/3/10704504/no-odell-one-handed-pre-game-catchesDanBerkman2016-01-03T11:39:08-05:002016-01-03T11:39:08-05:00Giants-Eagles: First half updates, open thread
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<img alt="Odell Beckham Jr. signs autographs for fans before Sunday's game" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/rfjCNkXTNlrxIC_6okhJjweRG4E=/8x0:3332x2216/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48486371/usa-today-9034544.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Odell Beckham Jr. signs autographs for fans before Sunday's game | Jim O'Connor-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Giants and Eagles meet in the season finale.</p> <p>EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The final game of the 2015-16 NFL regular season is here for the 6-9 <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a>, who are ending a third straight losing season and a fourth straight without making the playoffs. Will it also be <a href="http://www.bigblueview.com/2016/1/2/10701394/tom-coughlin-rumors-ny-giants-everything-we-know">the end for coach Tom Coughlin</a>? <a href="http://www.bigblueview.com/2016/1/3/10701506/new-york-giants-tom-coughlin-jerry-reese-changes-black-monday-nfl">What changes will come </a>to the Giants?</p>
<p>Before we get to that there is one final game to play. Can the Giants defeat the Chip Kelly-less <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a>, who have won the last three meetings between the two teams? Here are today's <a href="http://www.bigblueview.com/2016/1/3/10702476/giants-vs-eagles-picks-predictions-big-blue-view-staff-picks-todays-winner">Big Blue View staff predictions</a>.</p>
<p>What will Odell Beckham Jr. do in his return to action after a one-game suspension? He could set <a href="http://www.bigblueview.com/2016/1/3/10702986/odell-beckham-jr-returns-to-action-sunday-for-new-york-giants-philadelphia-eagles">several single-season franchise records toda</a>y.</p>
<p>The Giants' inactive list today is as follows:</p>
<p>S <span>Craig Dahl</span> (concussion); S <span>Cooper Taylor</span> (concussion); OT Marshall Newhouse (concussion); WR/KR Dwayne Harris (back/shoulder); DE Kerry Wynn; WR Geremy Davis; OL Emmett Cleary.</p>
<p>Use this as your first half open thread. Enjoy the final game of the season, Giants' fans!</p>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2016/1/3/10704272/giants-vs-eagles-preview-live-updates-first-half-score-tom-coughlin-odell-beckhamEd Valentine2016-01-03T09:00:02-05:002016-01-03T09:00:02-05:00Predictions for Giants-Eagles: BBV staff says ...
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<figcaption>Bag in front of the face selfies? Is it really this bad for Giants fans? | Michael Reaves/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Not that it matters, but here are today's staff predictions.</p> <p>Can the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigblueview.com/">New York Giants</a> finish the season with a victory, perhaps sending head coach Tom Coughlin into retirement on a winning note? The Giants face their nemesis the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/">Philadelphia Eagles</a> in the season finale at MetLife Stadium (1 p.m. ET/FOX). The Giants have lost their last three games to the Eagles.</p>
<p>Here are this week's predictions from your Big Blue View staff members. Be sure to make your own prediction by using the prediction widget at the end of this post.</p>
<h5>Alex Sinclair (12-3)</h5>
<p>If pride and legacy were something that could motivate this team, they wouldn't have been so pathetic last week and we wouldn't be speculating about Tom Coughlin's future. I wish I could pick the Giants, but I think everyone is too fatigued to pull out a big win this late in the season.</p>
<p><i><b>Final score: </b>Eagles 29, Giants 21</i></p>
<h5>Stephen Milewski (11-4)</h5>
<p>The Giants have played uninspired of late, but given the rumors of Tom Coughlin's job status and seemingly inevitable ousting, I think the Giants win this one. They do have Odell Beckham Jr. returning, which will add a much-needed catalyst to the offense.</p>
<p>I think the X-Factor will be <span>Jasper Brinkley</span>, who could possibly be playing for a spot with the team next year. Brinkley has played well in his stint with Big Blue, and the Giants have a dearth of talent at the linebacker position. His veteran presence helps, and I don't know if he is a starter, but having him at least in the rotation and the locker room is beneficial for this team as long as he contributes.</p>
<p>The last time the Giants played the Eagles, <span>DeMarco Murray</span> rushed for more than 100 yards and a touchdown. Now that head coach Chip Kelly is fired, I expect Murray to be truly utilized in this final game. Brinkley will need to make the calls to ensure the Giants can slow him down, and I think they will do so just enough. Giants get the victory in what is likely Tom Coughlin's final game.</p>
<p><i><b>Final score: </b>Giants 28, Eagles 24</i></p>
<h5>Chris Pflum (9-6)</h5>
<p>Wait, you mean to say that there's still a game to be played? I thought the season was over!</p>
<p>Oh well, I suppose I can do this one more time.</p>
<p>Trying to predict the way things will go between the Giants and Eagles is usually a painful exercise in futility. These two teams tend to throw the narratives out the window, and downright freaky things tend to occur. Add to that the firing of Chip Kelly, the Giants' own coaching questions, and the ever-present injury question, and there are a ton of variables flying around.</p>
<p>But I'm going to go ahead and predict a Giants win.</p>
<p>The Eagles could win, Pat Shurmur could actually put DeMarco Murray in the I formation and hand him the ball 25 times and pound the Giants' defense and attack the middle of the field with Zach Ertz. But with a player the stature of <span>Jason Peters</span> already publicly checking out, I'm going to say that the Giants win on the backs of three men. <span>Eli Manning</span>, Odell Beckham Jr., and Rashad Jennings. Eli will be Eli, and Eli doesn't quit. Also, I think he will rebound well with the return of Beckham and off of his bad game in Minnesota. Beckham, I think, will have a chip on his shoulder and I think he will play twice as hard after having the game taken away from him. The Eagles' defense as a whole has been trending downward, and an angry (but focused) Beckham is a nightmare for any defense.</p>
<p>And finally, the Giants will win so we can have plenty of comments about the Giants winning a "meaningless" (seriously, how could any game in a rivalry as heated as this one be "meaningless"? The Giants will have beaten Philly and ushered two head coaches out the door since 2012. That's meaningful.) and worsening their draft position. Sure, getting a better draft slot might ease the sting of a loss, but I can't hope for a loss to a division rival just for draft position.</p>
<p><i><b>Final score: </b>Giants 35, Eagles 21 </i></p>
<h5>Mike Gallop (8-7)</h5>
<p>I feel pretty confident that the Giants will take out all of their frustration of another lost season on the Eagles. The uncertainty of the coaching staff and management adds fuel to the fire, and I think the Giants give the fans something to cheer about. ODB will surely be ready to make a statement after his embarrassing last two weeks, and no one in the Philly secondary can cover him. Gmen will be victorious, and hopefully, save a job or two in the process.</p>
<p><i><b>Final score: </b>Giants 28, Eagles 17</i></p>
<h5>Jesse Bartolis (11-4)</h5>
<p><i>[From Jesse's <a href="http://www.bigblueview.com/2015/12/31/10691434/nfl-picks-predictions-against-the-point-spread-week-17-odds">Week 17 picks against the spread</a>]</i></p>
<p>Hopefully, the Giants can give Tom Coughlin a nice send off (assuming he is fired). I know OBJ will come to play.</p>
<p><i><b>Pick:</b> Giants</i></p>
<h5>Keane Macadaeg (9-6)</h5>
<p>The return of Odell Beckham means the return of the offense. The Eagles porous defense should have a hard time against the Giants offense though I will admit at being stunned at that Monday night matchup early on in the season. But with all the dysfunction that is the Eagles, I highly doubt they win this game.</p>
<p>Their offense has underperformed in every facet of the game and an interim head coach for a day won't make things any better. The Giants defense will struggle against anyone but they will contain the chaotic Eagles organization.</p>
<p><i><b>Final score: </b>Giants 35, Eagles 27</i></p>
<h5>Valentine's View (9-6)</h5>
<p>I honestly don't think the players on either team really give a hoot who wins the game. Sure, it would be nice to say I think the Giants will give a terrific effort to try and finish strong for Tom Coughlin. If they really cared about the old man and about winning they would have shown it before now.</p>
<p>This has all the makings of a shootout because, seriously, do you think anyone on defense is really going to sell out in a game between two 6-9 teams -- one without a coach and one who will probably be without a coach soon?</p>
<p style="font-style: italic;"><i><b>Final score: </b>Giants 38, Eagles 35</i></p>
<h4>Make your own prediction</h4>
https://www.bigblueview.com/2016/1/3/10702476/giants-vs-eagles-picks-predictions-big-blue-view-staff-picks-todays-winnerEd Valentine