Whatever it is that running back Boston Scott likes about playing the New York Giants, the Eagles need to find and keep the supplies coming.
After tearing apart the Giants in two games last season – 29 rushing attempts, 113 yards, and four touchdowns along with 10 receptions for 153 yards – Scott came back for more on Thursday night and provided the winning points in a 22-21 victory with a stunning 18-yard touchdown catch while tightly covered late in the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field.
"He stepped up when we needed him," quarterback Carson Wentz said from the sidelines following the game. "He just goes out there and makes plays."
Stepping in for starting running back Miles Sanders, out with a knee injury, Scott contributed 92 yards of offense on 15 touches, none more important than his final one. On a first-and-goal play from the Giants 18-yard line with 48 seconds remaining in the game and New York ahead 21-16, Wentz threw down the right sideline for Scott, who was blanketed by Giants defensive back Jabrill Peppers. The coverage was excellent. The throw was just perfect. And the catch from Scott, reaching out with Peppers draped all over him with the ability to get his feet down in the field of play and snaking his body inside the pylon, was as all-time great as you can get.
Considering everything – the circumstances, the coverage, the degree of catch difficulty – Scott could not have made a better play.
"I just checked my protection and then after that, I got out into space," Scott said. "I knew throughout the game, we had been running short routes into the flat kind of. Peppers was coming out into the flat with me pretty much every time. On that one, I just kind of set it up and then (Wentz) went to me so that was cool."
With Sanders out, the Eagles used Scott, Corey Clement (two carries, 9 yards), and Jason Huntley (two carries, 11 yards) in the backfield to generate a running game, and DeSean Jackson opening the first offensive possession with a 12-yard run while Jalen Hurts had 2 yards on two carries. The running game was, by and large, so-so. Scott was spectacular at the right spot.
A game that was a struggle from the moment Giants quarterback Daniel Jones hit wide receiver Golden Tate on a 39-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter, the Eagles needed two touchdowns on their final two offensive possessions to pull it out. And they did.
With Boston Scott once again playing a leading role.
"I mean, it's just the next game," Scott said when asked about his success against the Giants. "I love playing football. So it doesn't really matter who it is. I just like going out there and being able to contribute to the team."
