Go ahead and take a deep breath – the Giants could sure use one after their second horrific performance in three weeks resulted in a 40-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. This one may require a new scientific breakthrough to explain. All of the arrows were pointed in the same direction, one that led one to believe the Giants would pull out all of the stops and take care of business against a heated division rival. It didn’t happen and the Giants have gone on a losing streak of at least three games for the third time during Tom Coughlin’s tenure.

GAMEBALLS

Offense – RB Brandon Jacobs. Maybe next time the Giants will keep the game close enough so that he can become more of a factor because it’s been apparent for the past three weeks that he’s on the verge of rediscovering his mojo. Jacobs ran 20 times for 86 yards. He simply needs more carries, but the offense has not been in a position to feed him the ball where he can make a difference. Let’s not forget another gutsy performance by tight end Kevin Boss, who seemingly gets rocked by a bone-crushing hit over the middle every week. And Boss made a nifty turn to haul in an 18-yard TD pass in the second quarter. One more thing. Receiver Hakeem Nicks continues to exhibit outstanding hands and athleticism – witness his 35-yard grab down the left seam in the second quarter.

Defense – DT Fred Robbins. How hard was it to find somebody? So difficult that we’re giving the honor to a guy who wasn’t involved with any tackles! Robbins came up empty, but when’s the last time you remember a Giants’ defensive lineman deflecting three passes in the same game? Robbins got a good push on the front of the pocket, but more important, remembered the fundamental rule that instructs a lineman get his hands up in the passing lanes. He also recovered a third-quarter fumble on corner Bruce Johnson’s strip-sack, although the officials flagged Robbins for a forward lateral when he shoveled the ball to Osi Umenyiora, who scampered 35 yards for a touchdown that was called back. In addition, Robbins blocked an extra point in the first quarter.

Special teams – CB Kevin Dockery. He never got down after the Giants elevated rookie Bruce Johnson ahead of him in the nickel package. Instead, Dockery continues to work and work and work and work, hustling to help on specials. His hustle paid off when he was able to recover a pooched kickoff that was touched by Philadelphia DL Jason Babin in the third quarter.

GASSERS

Offense – QB Eli Manning. It’s very surprising to watch Manning put together back-to-back stinkers at this stage of his career. You’d think he’d be past it, especially after he was so sharp during the five-game winning streak that started the season. In fact, he’s been charged with six interceptions against only three TD passes during the three-game slide. He was very erratic against the Eagles from the outset, going 1-for-5 with an interception in the first quarter. On his third snap of the game, Manning looked for rookie TE Travis Beckum along the right side, but CB Asante Samuel jumped the route at the Giants’ 47 and returned it 37 yards. The Eagles turned that one into a touchdown and a 13-0 lead four plays later. Late in the first half, Manning badly overshot open WR Sinorice Moss on a post route and Quintin Demps grabbed it at the Eagles’ 45. Philadelphia turned that one into a TD for a 30-7 halftime lead.

Defense – How about we just force the entire unit to run? They were hit for six plays of 20 yards or more, including four scoring plays (three of them were for at least 40 yards). Is it as simple as these guys being confused? No longer can the injury-depleted unit’s lack of speed be used to explain away how opponents are getting open. Either the defenders are getting their signals crossed or first-year defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan’s scheme is flawed because there’s no way this defense should be having as much trouble as it’s showed.

Special teams – PK Lawrence Tynes. Ok, we understand that going wide left on a 37-yard field goal in the fourth quarter of a blowout shouldn’t be significant. But he’s 16-of-19 on the season with his three misses coming inside of 40 – and that’s the alarming part.