The Giants went into Philadelphia with steam coming out of their ears after their collapse in Denver a week ago. New York started off the game well, managing to score a touchdown early on to tie the game at 7.
However, once I saw the Eagles run the tush push, I knew that it was going to be the talking point from the game.
It was 4th and 1. Jalen Hurts snapped the ball and was thrown forward by his line to gain a first down. Before the play was whistled, Hurts reached the ball out to gain an extra yard. Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux snatched the ball out of his hands. He fell on top of the ball, and the Giants’ defense began to celebrate.
Giants ball, with a chance to take the lead.
The referees came together and announced that there was no fumble on the play and Hurts was rewarded with forward progress.
I, along with every Giants fan, was screaming at my TV. Why is this play not a fumble?
Hurts clearly wasn’t down and was trying to gain extra yardage. You’re telling me that our defense can’t try to steal the ball from him?
Giants head coach Brian Daboll was at a loss for words, confronting the referees as well as throwing the challenge flag when told there was nothing to challenge.
Every NFL fan, including Eagles fans, knew that the referees made the wrong call. Even the announcers were confused about the call.
This play better have been the last straw for the tush push.
If Week 8 couldn’t have gotten worse for the Giants, star rookie running back Cam Skattebo suffered a gruesome ankle injury, ending his season instantly. The former Arizona State Sun Devil was one of the few bright spots on this Giants team. The energy that he brought day after day was unmatched. A brutal blow for New York as they move forward this season.
The New York Jets picked up their first win of the season over the Cincinnati Bengals, 39-38, in a high-scoring thriller. They nearly blew the game, in Jets fashion, attempting a trick play to score the winning touchdown.
Justin Fields pitched the ball to running back Breece Hall; Hall proceeded to run out and throw to the endzone for tight end Mason Taylor. Taylor leaped over the defender to catch the ball for the touchdown.
The Jets then stopped Joe Flacco and the Bengals on the final drive. It was not pretty, but the Jets finally got into the win column.
The first week of a new era for the New York Knicks. It featured two wins against the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Boston Celtics. They dropped Sunday’s matchup against the Miami Heat.
Head coach Mike Brown did something us Knicks fans haven’t seen in years: played the bench. In the first half of the opener, we saw 11 players on the court. Brown utilized the bench, which led to fresh legs for many, resulting in a Knicks win against a Cavaliers team that had dominated them the previous season.
In their first two games, the Knicks looked ready, playing like a cohesive team and executing their plays effectively. However, Sunday’s game in Miami looked like the complete opposite. The bench was not playing to their fullest potential; they couldn’t seem to hit a shot. The Knicks were a step too slow, while the Heat made every big shot.
Looking ahead to this week, the Knicks take on Milwaukee, have two games against Chicago and wrap up the week against Washington.
If the Knicks can gain their footing, they can come on top in all four of these games.