We’re not a bad team—we have some superb talent— but we’re losing close games like a bad team usually does. It’s too early to throw rookie HC Doug Pederson under the bus after a 1-4 losing streak over the last 5 games, but it’s becoming increasingly evident that the rest of the league has matched up his KC tape with his Eagles tape and they know Doug’s playcalling better than he does.

Doug has become as predictable on offense in 8 games as Chip Kelly ultimately became in two years… and opponents are feasting upon his brain like the Walking Dead.

Doug is not a stupid man—but he’s making stupid decisions in-game.

Face it, if Pederson were your offensive coordinator right now and you were the head coach of the Eagles, you’d probably consider replacing him with a new OC—or start calling the plays yourself.

Now I’m wondering if Doug has the professional integrity to turn the playcalling over to someone else?

The worst part is, as supportive as Doug has been of his rookie QB Carson Wentz, the plays he’s sending in to the huddle in crucial situations are backfiring on the kid. Doug’s stubborn play-call patterns are undermining Wentz’ early show of confidence. Putting the kid into constant empty-backfield sets under pressure isn’t helping, either.

And for God’s sake, Doug, take the 30-yard FG on 4th-and-2 for a change… especially on the road in the first half—it would do a rookie QB body good.

Eli Manning threw for four touchdowns and New York’s defense had two interceptions and three stops on fourth downs to beat Philadelphia 28-23 on Sunday.

The Giants (5-3) won their third straight game, holding off the Eagles (4-4 after a 3-0 start) after Manning was intercepted by Jordan Hicks with less than two minutes to go.

Two of Manning’s touchdowns went to Odell Beckham Jr., with the others to Roger Lewis Jr. and Sterling Shepard.

It was a game marked by big plays on offense — six of more than 30 yards in the first half alone- and defense (four interceptions) and special teams (Jason Pierre-Paul‘s block of a field goal, Darren Sproles‘ 66-yard punt return). Most of Sunday, it was a mismatch of Manning and his receiving corps against a sieve of an Eagles secondary. New York picked on every Philly defensive back, with the biggest Leodis McKelvin, no matter who he tried to cover.

Less than two minutes in, Landon Collins made his third interception in the last two games; he had one pick as a rookie last year. Manning found Beckham on a slant after McKelvin failed to bump him at the line, and Beckham surged into the end zone for a 26-yard score.

Andrew Adams, a rookie safety from UConn, had no interceptions in his previous five games. He sure knew what to do with the ball after hauling in Carson Wentz‘s high pass moments later, returning it 19 yards. Manning hit Lewis three plays later after McKelvin and Jaylen Watkins collided and it was 14-0.

Manning’s third TD throw came on a 1-yard jump ball to Beckham over McKelvin to make it 21-10.

Wentz looked like a rookie from an FCS school in the first half, often appearing befuddled by coverages. Twice, the Eagles failed on short fourth downs while in field goal range.

But he came out of halftime a different player, quickly guiding the Eagles 70 yards to Kenjon Barner‘s 3-yard TD run.

Manning, though, was just as precise and decisive on the ensuing drive, capped by his fourth TD throw, 32 yards to rookie Shepard. That gave Manning his first four-TD game since Game 14 last season.

Wentz remained much sharper in the second half, leading the Eagles to two field goals by Caleb Sturgis. But Philly went 3 for 15 on third downs, 1 for 4 on fourth downs.

SILVER LINING: Eagles WR Bryce Treggs made his first NFL reception, an 11-yarder on a field goal drive. It got even better for the undrafted rookie from Cal when his 58-yard reception set up Philadelphia’s first touchdown.

INJURIES: Giants WR Victor Cruz hurt an ankle in the first half, and LG Justin Pugh sprained his right knee in the second quarter. Neither returned. Eagles safety Terrence Brooks left with a hamstring issue. LT Jason Peters left the game late with an undisclosed ailment and was replaced by Matt Tobin.

UP NEXT: Philadelphia hosts Atlanta next Sunday.

Final:

Matchup
1st Downs	21	16
Passing 1st downs	14	10
Rushing 1st downs	6	3
1st downs from penalties	1	3
3rd down efficiency	3-15	4-13
4th down efficiency	1-4	0-1
Total Plays	74	61
Total Yards	443	302
Total Drives	15	15
Yards per Play	6.0	5.0
Passing	347	248

Philadelphia Passing

Philadelphia Rushing

Philadelphia Receiving

Philadelphia Defense

Philadelphia Interceptions

Philadelphia Kick Returns

Philadelphia Punt Returns

Philadelphia Kicking

New York Passing

New York Rushing

New York Receiving