NFL: Eagles prevent Giants from clinching playoff spot
New York Giants’ Odell Beckham (13) is sent flying after a hit by Philadelphia Eagles’ Leodis McKelvin (21) during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)
PHILADELPHIA — Philadelphia beat the contending New York Giants 24-19 on Thursday to hand Dallas the AFC East title and put the Giants’ playoff ambitions in jeopardy.
Malcolm Jenkins had the second two-interception game of his eight-year career, returning one for a touchdown, and the Eagles snapped a five-game slide.
It put the Giants (10-5) in a more difficult spot to end a four-season playoff drought. They still hold the top wild-card position heading into their last regular-season game at Washington.
New York can still clinch a playoff spot this weekend if Detroit, Green Bay, Tampa Bay or Atlanta loses.
New York quarterback Eli Manning was inconsistent with his throws all night. On Jenkins’ second interception, the throw was woefully short.
The Giants came up short because they fell behind early and didn’t catch up.
The return of Philadelphia (5-9) right tackle Lane Johnson from a 10-game suspension paid dividends immediately. Twice Johnson wiped out the left side of New York’s defensive line, with his block helping spring Darren Sproles for a 25-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead.
It was 14-0 1:28 later when Manning’s short pass to Will Tye was way too soft. Jenkins cut in front of the tight end to intercept and then romped down the right side for a 34-yard score.
Two field goals by Giants kicker Robbie Gould trimmed the deficit but Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz found the seldom-used Nelson Agholor wide open for a 40-yard touchdown and a 21-6 edge.
Manning finally found his touch on the last drive of the first half, with a 29-yard connection to Victor Cruz keying an 84-yard mark. Shepard slipped past Jenkins’ bump at the line to score from 13 yards for a 21-13 deficit.
It was all field goals in the second half — and some more imprecise throws by Manning.
The Giants had a late chance to snatch victory when they got the ball back with 1:31 left but Terrence Brooks made an interception with 5 seconds to go to seal the result.
