By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Eagles got a bad break on Monday, learning that Miles Sanders would be out for at least the Washington game on Sunday.

At the same time, they released positive, but not decisive news on Jordan Howard's potential availability moving forward.

If that pair is unable to go, the team would be left with just Boston Scott and Kenny Gainwell, who has been more of a receiver than a rusher for the team.

To no surprise, the Eagles brought in a running back on Tuesday to try and deal with these injuries and it was one of the players we speculated yesterday, Kerryon Johnson.

By Michael Lipinski, Sports Talk Philly Contributor

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni is taking no chances when it comes to the Eagles quarterbacks and COVID-19. In an effort to prevent what befell the Saints, New Orleans was without starting quarterback Taysom Hill and back up quarterback Trevor Siemian due to COVID-19 issues in a key matchup against Miami, the Eagles are getting creative. 

Coach Sirianni on the extra emphasis on staying safe heading into Week 17 pic.twitter.com/PdVeQnM7lE

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) December 27, 2021

By Michael Lipinski, Sports Talk Philly Contributor

Penn State will be a down a pair of All-Big Ten players when they take the field against No. 21 Arkansas on Sunday in the Outback Bowl.  Safety Jaquan Brisker and wide receiver Jahan Dotson have officially opted out of the bowl game and will focus on the upcoming NFL Draft process.  

By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Eagles still have four players on the COVID list from last week in linebacker Shaun Bradley, offensive tackles Andre Dillard and Le'Raven Clark, as well as defensive end Ryan Kerrigan.

As in nearly every other team, the Eagles are seeing that number grow.

On Monday afternoon, the team placed four more players on the COVID list.

By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

Despite an ugly half of football out of the offense, the Eagles came away with a win and playoff positioning following their match-up with the Giants.

Unfortunately, the offense suffered more injuries despite this game becoming a runaway in the second half.

Just before halftime, lead running back Miles Sanders left the game. He was ruled out with a hand injury and later seen on the sidelines with a heavily bandaged right hand.

By Monday morning, reports had already come in regarding the fact that Sanders had broken his hand and had an uncertain timetable.

That becomes a difficult situation to navigate with just two games before the playoffs.

By Michael Lipinski, Sports Talk Philly Contributor

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport is reporting that Eagles running back Miles Sanders suffered a fracture in his hand during the Birds’ 34-10 win over the Giants. Sanders will have a MRI to determine if he will need to miss time or if he can play with the injury. 

Sanders is arguably having his most complete season despite not seeing the end zone and missing three games due to injury. He is averaging 5.5-yards per touch and was on pace to set his career high in rushing yards before suffering the injury. 

By Tal Venada, Sports Talk Philly Contributor

For many Philadelphia Phillies faithful, they are entertainment, when they are triumphant. But the concept of major league baseball being a business is virtually irrelevant and a nuisance at best to some. Realistically, this squad lacks perfection, especially when you compare them to a rival’s magical season. 

Expectations:

Believing the Phillies can just acquire hitters and pitchers to produce a championship hasn’t worked in the past. To illustrate, the 1979 Fightins had signed Pete Rose, but they finished fourth after other franchises had claimed they had bought the World Series. In 1980, writers predicted they’d be an also-ran again.

IN OTHER WORDS:

“Success isn't something that just happens - success is learned, success is practiced, and then it is shared.” - Sparky Anderson

I write because it forces me to research the Phils, and I don’t want the light at the tunnel’s end to be a speeding train. Basically, I don't like the darkness of not understanding unmade moves casting a shadow over an entire 162. I, now, have realistic expectations and can follow along.           

Because of having business management and sales experience, I can understand the decisions the higher-ups have made, are completing, or would have interest in. And retirement allows me the time and financial security to have no deadlines and a comfortable approach in my search for answers.                     

In any sport, there are foul lines and rules, aka reality. It’s like a medicinal dose you swallow to get it over with. Because sports, music, movies and television are escapes from the daily grind even without a pandemic, many accept the hope they agree with only to be angry at the team. They believed the scribe.         

It was as ugly as it was beautiful. 

After a brutal first half, in which the Philadelphia Eagles could do nothing right, they returned in the second half and could do nothing wrong, en route to an impressive 34-10 home victory against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field. 

Today’s game served as a microcosm for the entire 2021 Eagles season thus far: sloppy, frustrating, speedy and explosive. As was the case with many games this year, the Eagles dug themselves into an early hole with careless mistakes and questionable play calling, only to suddenly go gangbusters and blow the doors off their opponent. 

The Eagles have now won 6 of their last 8 games and can make the playoffs if they win their remaining two games. (Or if certain teams lose, but you know the drill.)

After a 2-5 start, Philadelphia has shown steady improvement each week. If the Eagles do indeed make the playoffs, they would enter as a dangerous team poised to make some noise.

By Paul Bowman, Sports Talk Philly Editor

The Eagles entered the half with an embarrassing 3-3 tie.

It took the defense handing Jalen Hurts and the offense the ball at the Giants 20-yard line for the team to get any momentum.

That ended the game as the Eagle defense didn't give up a first down until they put in all their backups. In fact, it seemed like almost every other play at that point was a potential turnover for the defense.

Meanwhile, the receivers bailed out Hurts on some deep passes and made incredible grabs to keep the momentum on their side and allow the clock to become their friend.

The end result was a beatdown that shouldn't have needed the defense to get the offense going, but results in the Eagles landing squarely in playoff contention nonetheless.

By Matthew Ryan, Sports Talk Philly Contributor

The 4-10 Giants visit the 7-7 Eagles in a game that means a lot for the Eagles’ playoff chances. The first half was an extremely ugly one for the Eagles, however, they enter the break tied at three. The Eagles’ defense has been a bright spot, and they will be seen early next half as the Giants receive the second half kickoff. Here's what we saw in the first 30 minutes of action:

WR DeVonta Smith

With the Eagles’ offense not able to get anything going, Jalen Hurts fired a bomb to Smith for 46 yards. The catch led to an Eagles field goal that tied the game up at three. Smith finished the half with three catches for 75 yards.

DE Josh Sweat

On 3rd-and-7, Sweat got the first Eagles’ sack of the day, stopping the Gaints’ drive and forcing them to punt. Sweat and the defense played a phenomenal first half, only giving up 76 yards and six first downs.

QB Jalen Hurts

After a stellar game last week, Hurts had a rough first half. He completed just seven of his 17 pass attempts for 94 yards. Hurts and the offense, that had only seven first downs, need to step up and help their defense out.

RB Saquon Barkley

With quarterback Daniel Jones out and Jake Fromm getting the start, the Gaints’ offense has relied on Barkley for the most part. Barkley didn’t necessarily have a great first half, rushing for 27 yards, but his volume in the second half will be there.