Solution Is Found in Eagles

Switching starting quarterbacks didn’t change the fortunes of the struggling New York Giants. It was playing the anemic Philadelphia Eagles, a club whose owner is even having a tough time watching them these days.

In a game highlighted by little offense, penalties and even comic relief, the Giants ended a three-game losing streak Sunday by defeating the Eagles, 20-0, behind a touchdown run by Gary Brown and Phillippi Sparks’ two interceptions.

Kent Graham also passed for a late touchdown in his first start this season and Brad Daluiso kicked two field goal as the Giants (4-7) recorded their first shutout since 1990.

“I’m not going to take anything away and say Philadelphia’s offense has been struggling,” said the Giants’ coach, Jim Fassel. “Who cares? This is the NFL and we’re in a ballgame. When you shut the other team out, that means you played very, very well.”

The shutout was the third against the Eagles (2-9) this season, the most since 1942. It also stretched the Eagles’ winless streak on the road to 15 games (0-14-1), a run that is now almost certain to end Ray Rhodes’ tenure as coach.

“There was very little improvement today,” Eagle owner Jeff Lurie said in the locker room. “We played uninspired football. I feel terrible for our fans. They deserve better, and they are going to get better. It was just painful to watch, and in this league, no offense, no Ws. It’s as simple as that. I’m pretty [angry].”

The Giants, who led, 3-0, after a hard-to-watch first half, wore down the Eagles in the final 30 minutes. Brown scored on a four-yard run in the third quarter and Graham connected with Tiki Barber for an eight-yard touchdown with 2:09 to play after Sparks’ second interception.