The New York Giants will have to wait a while to make the playoffs.
Malcolm Jenkins had the second two-interception game of his eight-year career, returning one for a touchdown, and the Philadelphia Eagles snapped a five-game slide by beating the Giants 24-19 on Thursday night. The loss handed Dallas the NFC East title — and home-field advantage throughout the conference playoffs.
It also put the Giants (10-5) in a more difficult spot for ending their four-season playoff drought. They still own the top wild-card position heading into their finale at Washington.
New York can still get in this weekend if Detroit, Green Bay, Tampa Bay or Atlanta loses.
Carson Wentz threw a touchdown pass to Nelson Agholor, then returned from being examined for a concussion in the fourth quarter to guide a drive to Caleb Sturgis' 41-yard field goal. After New York's Robbie Gould made his fourth field goal, Philadelphia (5-9) held on downs with just under two minutes remaining.
The Giants got the ball back with 1:31 left and Terrence Brooks intercepted to clinch it with 5 seconds to go.
Eli Manning was inconsistent with his throws all night. On Jenkins' second interception, the throw was woefully short.
U.S. & World
Indeed, the Giants came up short because they fell behind early and didn't catch up.
Right tackle Lane Johnson's return 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, then romped down the right side for a 34-yard score.
The current Giants' offense isn't built for big comebacks, and now New York needed one. Manning hit Odell Beckham Jr. on a 30-yard play that highlighted an 80-yard drive to Gould's 35-yard field goal. But Manning also made two inaccurate throws in that series.
It was that way all night.
Gould's 35-yard field goal brought the Giants closer. Then Wentz found the seldom-used Agholor wide open for a 40-yard touchdown and a 21-6 edge.
Manning finally found his touch on the last drive of the half, with a gorgeous 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.
AGHOLOR EMERGES
Agholor, the Eagles' first-round draft pick last year who had only 57 catches in 26 career games, scored his first touchdown this season and third of his career with the 40-yarder in the second period. He had not reached the end zone since the season opener.
INJURIES
Giants: DT Damon Harrison left before a fourth-and-inches play at the goal line with a right knee injury. The Giants stopped Philadelphia's run anyway.
Eagles: Aside from Wentz, guard Allen Barbre hurt his right hamstring in the first half and didn't return. Safety Jaylen Watkins left in the third quarter with a concussion. Mathews left in the fourth quarter with a stinger.
NEXT UP
Giants: Finish season at Washington.
Eagles: Host Dallas to finish season.