Philadelphia took care of business Sunday afternoon, beating the New York Giants 38–20 at Lincoln Financial Field in a game that looked, finally, like the Eagles everyone expected to see.
Just 17 days after suffering one of their worst losses in over 2 seasons at the hands of the Giants, the Eagles played 4 quarters of solid football, with an effective running game, and an explosive passing game. It was a decisive win and a reminder that when the Eagles play to their level, they can still control a game from the opening kick, even with receiver AJ Brown out due to a hamstring injury.
Jalen Hurts looked poised and efficient, carving through the Giants’ secondary with precision and rhythm. There was confidence in every dropback.
The run game found balance, too, with both Saquon and Tank. The offensive line, which has been scrutinized plenty the last few weeks, responded with one of its best efforts of the year, keeping Hurts clean and controlling the trenches.
Defensively, it was a steady, physical afternoon. The front four pressured Jaxson Dart consistently, forcing him to check down and keeping New York’s offense one-dimensional. The same running lanes were much smaller with Jalen Carter back patrolling the interior of the line.
The Eagles received the kickoff after losing the toss, and the offense picked up right where they left off in the second half against Minnesota with a 65-yard touchdown run on second down by Saquon Barkley.
Not to be outdone, the defense began the game strong as well. Jalyx Hunt tackled Giants QB Jaxson Dart after pressure forced him to step up, and a play later, the Eagles D forced a three-and-out.
The Eagles' second drive started with a Saquon run for 5 yards and ended with a 58-yard Jake Elliott missed field goal off the right goal post. The Birds moved the ball well, but were unable to cash in. A false start penalty on fourth down stalled the drive and killed the chance to go for it.
The Giants' second drive showcased Dart’s mobility, picking up a key third down that led to NY scoring, as the Eagles' defensive troubles continued against mobile QBs. Dart hit Skattebo for an 18-yard TD to tie the game at 7–7.
Will Shipley took the ensuing kickoff 41 yards to the Eagles 47. The Eagles struggled initially and had to convert a 4th and three that came via Jalen Hurts' legs on a five-yard scamper, which ended the first quarter. The Eagles moved the ball well, gaining 127 yards of offense, compared to the Giants' 56 over the first 15 minutes.
The second quarter started with a 26-yard strike to DeVonta Smith, followed by a highly contested fourth-and-one tush push by the Giants coaching staff, and a 9-yard TD pass to Saquon Barkley, 14–7.
The game was temporarily stopped when Cam Skattebo suffered a gruesome injury to his ankle/lower leg. Injuries are a part of the game, but you hate to see them. Skattebo was carted off. He was having a fantastic season for the Giants. Best wishes to him in his recovery.
Aside from a noisy 3rd and six from the Eagles' 29-yard line, the crowd was eerily quiet for most of the rest of the second quarter following the injury. The Giants did not convert the third down, but they did kick a field goal to bring the score to 14–10 a play later.
The Eagles got the ball back at their 42 with 2:52 left in the half and finished the second quarter off on a 7-play 58-yard drive, with their third touchdown of the half. This time, a 6-yard TD pass from Jalen Hurts to Dallas Goedert, making the score 21–10.
Jalen Hurts was 9/12 for 82 yards and two touchdown passes at the break, while Saquon Barkley had 107 yards on 10 carries. His first 100-yard game of the season.
During halftime, Philadelphia honored Eagles great and recent Hall of Fame inductee, cornerback Eric Allen. He was also the honorary captain for today's game.
The third quarter started off with the Giants having the ball and a Jalen Carter sack on their first play. Their drive ended with a punt three plays later.
Philadelphia moved the ball well on their first possession, picking up two third downs along the way and finishing the drive off with a Jake Elliot 40-yard field goal to increase the lead to 24–10.
The Giants followed with a 15-play 59-yard drive that ate up six minutes and forty-four seconds, and ended with a 34-yard field goal. 24–13.
Saquon Barkley got the next drive started by ending the third quarter with a 28-yard yard scamper, and the Eagles were back in business to start the fourth. A few plays later, Saquon went into the medical tent to be checked, and Tank Bigsby showed impressive ability, taking over the rest of the drive, including an impressive 29-yard run. Saquon appeared from the tent at the same time to celebrate Tank’s run. Philly capped the drive off with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Dallas Goedert, making the score 31–13, good guys.
Josh Uche appeared to have sacked Jaxson Dart on the Giants' next drive, leading to a fumble recovered by Jordan Davis, but the replay overturned the play. New York was unable to capitalize on the second chance and went three-and-out.
The Eagles continued their offensive onslaught on the next drive with an impressive six-play, 73-yard drive that ended with a 40-yard strike to Jahan Dotson for a touchdown, Jalen Hurts’ fourth passing score of the game. Nobody is questioning Kevin Patullo’s playcalling today. The Eagles racked up over 400 yards of offense.
Tanner McKee entered the game with 2:43 left in the game and a comfortable 18-point lead.
The Giants added a late touchdown to make it 38–20, but they struggled to find an offensive identity after Cam Skattebo. They had moments where they moved the ball, but never looked the same.
Tank Bigsby showed some serious juice on his carries. Many fans had questioned why Howie Roseman traded for him. He displayed why versus the Giants. He also appears to have taken the role that once belonged to AJ Dillon.
Goedert hauled in nine catches for 110 yards and a touchdown versus the Giants during their last matchup, leading the team. Goedert scored two more touchdowns in this matchup. He is having a really good season.
Mobile QBs, like Dart, who can extend plays and stress the defense, have been the Achilles heel for the Eagles' defense. They did a better job this week.
Jihaad Campbell was not on the field during a third-and-long in the third quarter that resulted in a first-down pickup. He should be on the field for obvious passing downs and give Nakobe Dean a breather.
DeVonta Smith, coming off his best game in his young NFL career, statistically, followed it up with a solid performance and showed the league he is a WR1 in his own right.
The Eagles' defense entered the game having allowed only seven passing touchdowns this season, tied for the 2nd-fewest. They allowed one versus the Giants.
Jalen Hurts entered the game with 16 total touchdowns, fourth most by a QB in the NFL. He added four more, taking his total to 20.
Philadelphia needed this one! This was not just for the standings, but for their confidence. This felt like the type of win that restores order in a locker room and quiets a lot of the noise outside it.
The Eagles looked sharper, tougher, and finally like a team that remembered who it is. If this is the version that shows up in November and beyond, the rest of the NFC just got its reminder that Philadelphia’s still built for a championship run. The Eagles now have 2 weeks off as they head into their bye, and they should come out healthy with AJ Brown and Brandon Graham suiting up for the stretch run towards the playoffs.
As always, thank you for reading!
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