Eagles Find Wings, Soar Past Giants, 24-0

Shocked in losses each of the last three weeks, the Philadelphia Eagles defense lashed out at a familiar foil--the New York Giants.

The Eagle defense limited the Giants to 131 yards of offense and Ty Detmer threw three touchdown passes as Philadelphia moved into a tie atop the NFC East with a 24-0 shutout of the Giants on Sunday.

“We were making the plays instead of having the plays happen and looking around and saying, ‘Who’s responsibility was that,’ ” defensive lineman Rhett Hall said.

Philadelphia, Dallas and Washington share the division lead with 8-5 records. With the loss, the Giants (5-8) were officially eliminated from the playoffs. The Cowboys defeated the Redskins 21-10 on Thanksgiving.

The Eagles have won four in a row over the Giants. In those victories, the Giants have had 14 turnovers, given up 27 sacks and scored only two offensive touchdowns. “They’re no juggernaut, but any time you can shut a team out, that’s big for a team,” Eagle Coach Ray Rhodes said. “A shutout is a shutout.”

Detmer completed 25 of 33 passes for 284 yards, throwing touchdown passes to Jason Dunn, Irving Fryar and Chris T. Jones. Ricky Watters had 104 yards in 29 carries and added 77 yards with six catches. The Eagles scored all their points in the first half.

Rookie linebacker Ray Farmer led a Philadelphia defense that had given up 86 points in losses over the last three weeks to Buffalo, Arizona and Washington.

Farmer forced two fumbles, recovered one and added an interception and a sack as the Giants reverted to form after their shocking 20-6 victory over the Cowboys last week.

“More so than giving us a lift, I think it kind of takes the wind out of their sails,” Farmer said of his big plays. “I’m no hero. I’m just playing my role.”

Philadelphia had five sacks and forced four Giant turnovers in recording its first shutout since a 30-0 victory over Denver on Sept. 20, 1992. The Giants’ last shutout came on opening day last season, a 35-0 loss to Dallas.

“It was total domination by Philadelphia in every area,” Giant Coach Dan Reeves said. “We’re not a good enough team to make mistakes and win.”

Dave Brown was a miserable three for 11 for 31 yards for the Giants, making him 14 for 36 for 135 yards, no touchdowns and three interceptions in two losses to the Eagles this season. He was benched with 11 minutes left to play.

“We’ve had trouble with Philly for the past two years,” Brown said. “They match up against us extremely well with some of the things they do. We’ve got to figure out a better way to attack these guys.”

A steady rain combined with 25-mph winds to make ball-handling an adventure for both teams.