Eagles fans no longer allowed to attend games at the Linc this season as city tightens COVID-19 restrictions
For three home games, there were as many as 5,000 fans in the stadium, but that won't be the case through the end of the year.
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For a brief stretch of three games, Oct. 18 through Nov. 1, the Eagles were able to host at least a few thousand fans for home games at Lincoln Financial Field, but that won’t be the case going forward.
The city of Philadelphia tightened restrictions on gatherings Monday, in response to the recent surge in coronavirus cases. The city said its new “Safer at Home” guidelines are intended “to help flatten the epidemic curve, prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed, and reduce the number of COVID-19 deaths.” They are in effect through Jan. 1. The Eagles' final regular-season game is scheduled for Jan. 3, at home against Washington.
Philadelphia Health Commissioner Tom Farley specifically said no fans would be allowed at football games under the new restrictions.
In a letter to season-ticket holders, the Eagles said that as a result of the restrictions, “we will not be able to host fans at our stadium under this government order.”
“Everyone involved in this process is disappointed in the outcome, not only because of how hard we have all worked to create a safe environment at the stadium, but because we know how important you are to this team and to the gameday experience at Lincoln Financial Field,” the team wrote. “However, we also understand and support the decision that was made with the health and safety of our community as a priority.”
The Eagles said a ticket sale for remaining home games that had been scheduled for Tuesday has been canceled.
A month ago, when restrictions were loosened to allow as many as 7,500 people in the stadium, including players, coaches, staffers, and reporters, Eagles president Don Smolenski spoke of how the team, the city, and the state had worked tirelessly through the summer to make this possible. Smolenski and Eagles fans didn’t get to enjoy the product of that work for very long.
Developing storylines
The Eagles started the 21-day clock Monday on tight end Zach Ertz’s return from an ankle injury. They also placed cornerback Craig James on injured reserve.
Corey Clement’s only offensive snap Sunday was his 5-yard touchdown run. Nice work if you can get it.
That first-drive offside by Malik Jackson that turned third-and-8 into third-and-3, two plays before Daniel Jones' 34-yard touchdown run, was a harbinger of things to come. It was the only third down the Giants faced in the series. Jackson, who has battled a quad injury, recorded no tackles in 36 snaps. Pro Football Focus said he had two hurries.
Alshon Jeffery was in for 18 snaps, was targeted once, on the first series.
The Eagles' average drive start was at their 16.4-yard line. Punt-return yardage was 47-0 in the Giants' favor. Giants punter Riley Dixon’s average net was a whopping 53.3, compared to Cam Johnston’s 37.8. Boston Scott’s two attempted kickoff returns were nullified by a Clement hold and a Shaun Bradley illegal block.
Avonte Maddox recorded a 32.8 Pro Football Focus grade in coverage, his worst of the season. PFF had the Giants completing five of six passes against Maddox, for 68 yards.
The Eagles' average gain per pass play Sunday was 4.8 yards. Their average gain per rushing play was 6.8 yards.
The Giants have taken double-digit leads in their last six games, and haven’t allowed a first-half touchdown in their last three games.
Who knew?
That two guys who got four carries between them would score all the Eagles' touchdowns Sunday?
(Corey Clement, one carry, 5-yard TD, Boston Scott, three carries, 63 yards, 56-yard TD)
Obscure stat
Daniel Jones' 34-yard touchdown run was the longest scoring run by a Giants quarterback since Jeff Hostetler rambled 47 yards for a TD against the Cardinals on Nov. 10, 1991.