Who deserves praise for Week 18 effort, and who does not?
Does it surprise anyone that the Philadelphia Eagles’ backups are better than the New York Giants backups? The way the Eagles played Sunday’s game, and the state of the Giants’ roster, made Sunday’s game a battle of backups.
Gee, the team with 14 wins beat the team with 14 losses. Who woulda thought?
By the way, does the fact that the Giants didn’t really play with urgency — pretty much treating Week 18 like a preseason affair — make you wonder if head coach Brian Daboll already knows whether he is keeping his job or getting fired?
Kudos to …
Malik Nabers — The rookie wide receiver broke Steve Smith’s franchise single-season record for receptions. Nabers had five receptions for 64 yards on Sunday, finishing with 109 receptions for 1,204 receiving yards. Smith had 107 receptions in 2009. Nabers also passed Puka Nacua’s 2023 rookie record of 105 receptions. Las Vegas Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers entered Sunday with 108. Bowers’ production in a late afternoon game will determine whether or not Nabers ends up with the NFL rookie record.
Nabers didn’t have to continue playing after passing Smith’s record, but re-entered the game with the Giants trailing 17-3 in the fourth quarter. He caught a 45-yard touchdown pass from Drew Lock with 10:32 left in the game.
Malik Nabers scores the first TD of the day for the Giants
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Dyontae Johnson — The young inside linebacker took out a season’s worth of frustration on the Eagles. After missing most of the season due to a preseason ankle injury, Johnson flew around the field and finished with 10 tackles.
Wan’Dale Robinson — The diminutive slot receiver caught 10 of the 11 passes thrown to him, ending the season with 92 receptions. Yes, Robinson only gained 43 yards (4.3 yards per catch) but the depth of the routes he is asked to run is not Robinson’s fault.
Elijah Garcia — The 26-year-old defensive tackle got his opportunity due to injuries at the end of the season and took advantage. On Sunday, Garcia had a tackle for loss and a quarterback hit.
Wet Willies to …
CBS — For showing Buffalo Bills vs. New England Patriots in upstate New York where I live. That’s a first for me, not having a Giants game available here. I ended up listening to Bob Papa and Carl Banks broadcast the game which, honestly, wasn’t so bad.
Me — For actually thinking that the Giants would beat the Eagles’ backups.
Boogie Basham — With the Giants in position to get a stop and get the ball back with a chance to win, Basham jumped offsides on an Eagles fourth-and-3 at the Giants’ 41-yard line at the two-minute mark.
That was emblematic of the kind of season it has been for the Giants, and the kind of play an experienced defender like Basham should never make.
Kwillies to …
Kayvon Thibodeaux — This was a productive season finale for Thibodeaux. He had 1.5 sacks, three quarterback hits and a tackle for loss. When he plays with this kind of impact, ti makes you wonder why he doesn’t do it more often.
Thibodeaux diminished his day with a roughing the passer penalty on third-and-11 with 1:51 to play, wrecking an opportunity for the Giants to get the ball back.
