Ya, I’d almost liken minesweeper as more of a meditation than a game. That being said I do genuinely enjoy it as that; as a flowchart that’s simple enough that I should always get it right but complex enough that I do still have to pay attention. It’s good for resetting my focus.

Yes, if taking it seriously, then those are reasonable conclusions. However, I think you’re just overthinking it, in this context the scenario exists to service the joke rather than the other way around.

The comedic implication is that the giant eagles are natural predators of goblins and, more importantly, hobbits. And might be inclined to a mid-flight snack.