7 takeaways as Eagles turn their focus toward the playoffs

This is not the way the Eagles wanted to end the regular season, not with wide receiver A.J. Brown walking off the field to have tests on an injured knee, not with Jalen Hurts and a host of starters out of Sunday’s game at the Giants trailing by 24 points in the first half, not with the New York Giants dominating from start to finish. Philadelphia lost its regular-season finale at MetLife Stadium, 27-10, and here are some takeaways from the loss as the Eagles now turn their attention toward the Wild Card Playoff game next Monday night at Tampa Bay, a team the Eagles defeated 25-11 in Week 3.

1. The first-half offense got nothing going. The Eagles gained five first downs, went 1-of-7 on third down and 0-for-1 on fourth down, picked up 102 total net yards, and turned the ball over twice, averaging 3.2 yards per play. The offense had trouble with the New York blitz game and quarterback Jalen Hurts was pressured on many of his dropbacks. He didn’t have much of a chance to get anything going down the field. Running back Kenneth Gainwell had an impressive 32-yard run – sprung by a great block from center Jason Kelce – but that was pretty much the extent of the offensive production as the Eagles fell into a 24-0 hole and Marcus Mariota replaced Hurts at quarterback and both Kelce and right tackle Lane Johnson went to the sidelines.

2. New York rang up 272 total net yards offensively in the first half. Quarterback Tyrod Taylor completed 15 of 20 passes for 229 yards and a touchdown, along with an interception on a nice play at the goal line from cornerback James Bradberry, who had strong coverage and tipped a pass that Reed Blankenship intercepted. New York scored touchdowns on three straight possessions in the second quarter.

3. There isn’t much sense rehashing the game because, well, you watched it. The injuries are the forefront of everyone’s mind, so let’s discuss for a moment. The hope is that cornerback Darius Slay is ready to play against Tampa Bay, and that would be huge given the Bucs’ outstanding talent at wide receiver. Same with wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who sat out Sunday’s game with an ankle injury. Pro Bowl running back D’Andre Swift missed the game with an illness. He should be a go for the postseason. Defensive tackle Fletcher Cox had a “rest” Sunday, so he should be ready and raring to go for the playoffs. A.J. Brown’s status will be updated later in the week, but the reports immediately after he had an MRI were…