Giants Week 18 report card: A miserably fitting way to end season

Grading the Giants’ 20-13 loss to the Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on Sunday:

Yes, that stunning big-play attack from last week was a mirage.

Drew Lock (22 of 29, 138 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) could not get the ball down the field, other than a 45-yard scoring toss to wondrous rookie Malik Nabers, who was shoved out of bounds by S Tristan McCollum and managed to tiptoe the right sideline to notch his team’s only touchdown.

Drew Lock looks on during the Giants-Eagles game on Jan. 5, 2024. Bill Kostroun/New York Post

Lock in the first half completed eight passes — for only 30 yards.

That is almost hard to do. It was more of the same for Wan’Dale Robinson (10-43) — plenty of receptions, paltry yardage.

The running game (25-100) was substandard. Greg Van Roten and Josh Ezeudu were called for false start penalties.

Third-down conversion rate (4 of 14) was dismal and 10 first downs and 238 yards against a bunch of Eagles backups was an apropos way to close things out.

Grade: F

How fitting was it that on fourth down late in the game LB Boogie Basham was called for a neutral zone infraction to basically hand the game to the Eagles?

Someone named Tanner McKee played quarterback for the Birds and kept the ball moving with short stuff against a weak pass rush, especially in the first half. Only 51 rushing yards allowed was fine.

Tanner McKee looks to throw during the Eagles-Giants game on Jan. 5, 2024. Bill Kostroun/New York Post

The Eagles lined up for their famous Tush Push and rookie CB Dru Phillips jumped offsides. That is just brutal.

OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux cleaned up in the finale with two late sacks, giving him six in 12 games.

Thibodeaux was called for a costly roughing the passer penalty in the final two minutes.

TE Dallas Goedert (4-55), activated off injured reserve, could not be covered by anyone in the first half.

LB Dyontae Johnson, receiving his first extended playing time after coming off injured reserve, showed good range with a team-high 10 tackles.

S Anthony Johnson had a pass deflection at the line of scrimmage.

LB Tomon Fox had a 4-yard tackle for loss in the fourth quarter.

Grade: C+

Dane Belton runs with the ball during the Giants-Eagles game on Jan. 5, 2024. Bill Kostroun/New York Post

How about that fake punt?

Direct snap to Dane Belton picked up 10 yards and the first down.

Jamie Gillan’s first punt pinned the Eagles on their 16-yard line but the kick traveled only 43 yards.

Gillan did not have the usual power behind his punts.

Graham Gano hit a 25-yard field goal and nailed a 53-yarder that hit off the crossbar and dropped in. Allowing a 51-yard kickoff return to Isaiah Rodgers to open the second half was not ideal.

Grade: B.

Brian Daboll looks on during the Giants-Eagles game on Jan. 5, 2024. Bill Kostroun/New York Post

The woes on offense will stay with Brian Daboll long after this season.

This last game was more of the same.

Enough with the quick outs to wide receivers and behind-the-line-of scrimmage passes.

Daboll rolled the dice, went for it on 4th-and-8 at midfield on the first series and Lock’s pass fell incomplete.

Daboll probably would not have made that call in a “real’’ game.

A bomb to Nabers on 4th-and-2? That is a low-percentage call from Daboll.

Shane Bowen having Brian Burns drop to cover a tight end? Is this the best use for Burns?

More soft coverage all over the field until some late pressure, finally. Mike Ghobrial caught the Eagles off guard with the fake punt call in the second quarter.

Grade: F

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