Giants vs. Eagles Full Team Grades

Special Teams: B-

Oct 19, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin reacts to a penalty during fourth quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Giants, 27-7. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

It was a struggle in some areas of the special teams for the Giants, while they remained strong in others. The positive, Josh Brown made his only attempt of the game, knocking through his one extra point attempt. Also, the coverage team was solid as they didn’t allow Darren Sproles to bust one open returning punts, and they allowed the Eagles to average only 16.5 yards per kick return.

The Giants kick return unit was solid, as Dwayne Harris averaged 24.5 yards per return and Vereen gained 24 on his single return. The punt return was another story though, as Harris spent more time going sideways then upfield. He gained only one yard on three attempts, with a long of four.

Brad Wing was called upon more times than normal to punt, and it was a mixed bag. A couple of his punts looked like shanks, but looked better as they always seemed to get a roll in the Giants favor. While that is not normally what you aim for, it could be looked at as a positive because it kept the ball out of Sproles’ hands. But, on the positive, Wing did manage to place another two punts inside the 20 yard line, and didn’t have a touchback once again.

The special teams did have one bad play though, as Nikita Whitlock ran into Eagles’ punter Donnie Jones for a five-yard penalty. It kept the drive alive for the Eagles, who took advantage as Murray ran it in from 12-yards out to make the game 24-7. That was the back breaking play for the Giants, who were struggling enough already to get the offense going but this really enabled the Eagles pass rushers to pin their ears back.

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