Elliott tests the wind, then tastes a win
PHILADELPHIA >> From time to time, Eagles kicker Jake Elliott will hit the field on game day, even when he’s not called on to do his thing. Lincoln Financial Field is one of those venues where you can’t trust the flags to determine which way the wind is blowing.
And Sunday was no exception.
During the late timeouts Elliott strolled out to get a feel for the conditions. Then he booted a postcard perfect 43-yard field goal with 22 ticks left to give the Eagles a 25-22 victory over the Giants.
“It was kind of an interesting night with the wind so I was just kind of trying to get a feel for what it was doing,” Elliott said. “The field was in really good shape. Everything bounces off the walls in this stadium. So, whatever you see up there on those flags up there, it’s usually doing the opposite on the field. The wind kind of comes through those weird little crevices.”
Elliott drilled a 61-yard walk-off winner against the Giants last year at the Linc. Those are his only two dramatic game-winners. The Eagles credit him with five winning field goals.
Elliott, the second-year kicker out of Memphis, where he broke several records set by future Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski, has gotten used to the pressure.
“I want to win every game by 100,” Elliott said. “But these are the situations you’ve got to kind of thrive in as a kicker in this league, knowing that most of these games are going to come down to just a possession or two. So, I kind of have that mindset where it is going to come down to me every day and I try to get ready for it.”
Long snapper Rick Lovato rocketed the ball to holder Cam Johnston, who could tell by the sound Elliott’s foot made on the ball it would be good.
“Right down the middle,” Johnston said.
Johnston took a photo of the media mob surrounding Elliott in the post-game locker room. Elliott is perfect on 21 PATS and 17 of 21 on field goals this season.
“Obviously having the experience and knowing how to control your emotions in those situations helps,” Elliott said. “But this is what kickers do. So, you’ve got to live for those moments.”
••• Cre’von LeBlanc made one of the biggest plays of the game when he broke up a pass for Odell Beckham Jr. in the back of the end zone.
A touchdown would have forced the Eagles to go for six on their next possession, assuming the Giants would kick the PAT. Beckham protested no interference call almost into the next play.
“Everybody in the stadium knew where the ball was going, and that’s to Odell, one-on-one backside,” LeBlanc said. “And he just came up vertically into me, created contact, tried to push me outside and Eli tried to throw it high. Odell going to always plead his case. That’s Odell. He’s a great receiver, bro.”
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NOTES >> The NFL put a price on the gesture Malcolm Jenkins delivered to Sean Payton for running up the score last week. Jenkins has been fined $13,369 for unsportsmanlike conduct for flipping off Payton. Jenkins, the former Saint, had insisted his old head coach rubbed salt in his wounds by sending Alvin Kamara deep on him with a 38-7 lead two minutes into the fourth quarter . ... Tim Jernigan started at defensive tackle in his first action of the season but didn’t make a tackle. DeVante Bausby and Chandon Sullivan started at cornerback, with Nate Gerry at middle linebacker and Corey Graham at safety. LeBlanc played slot nickel . ... The Eagles scratched injured defensive backs Sidney Jones, Jalen Mills and Avonte Maddox. Cornerback Rasul Douglas (knee) was active . ... The Eagles have beaten the Giants in nine of their last 10 meetings.