The Eagles were hit in the mouth early and never quite recovered. A broken-play touchdown and another scramble score by Jaxson Dart set the tone. The Giants dictated tempo, balance, and toughness in a way few have against this Philadelphia team. For the Eagles, the problems were both familiar and layered: playcalling issues, protection breakdowns, defensive containment, and another game that unraveled after halftime.
Offense
Jalen Hurts
Hurts’ numbers were respectable, the accuracy was there early, but protection issues and predictable play calls again limited the second-half output. He finished 24-of-33 for 283 yards, with two total touchdowns and his first interception in 305 regular-season passing attempts, but it was costly.
The missed shot to DeVonta Smith down the left sideline summed up the night. Execution without finish. Hurts still provides steadiness and accountability, but right now, he’s running an offense that looks uncertain of its own identity, and he is struggling along with it. Especially on third-downs.
Saquon Barkley
Barkley had 56 yards on eight carries at halftime. He finished with 12 carries for 58 yards. This cannot happen. His burst and vision remain intact, but the blocking in front of him simply isn’t there. All season, the run game has been an uphill battle. If Saquon can’t run behind this line, who can? Until the line regains its cohesion, Barkley’s ceiling will remain capped, and the offense will have highs and lows as it relies on a need for too many explosive plays to move the chains.
A.J. Brown & DeVonta Smith
The Eagles’ top receivers started strong. Brown caught five passes for 73 yards in the first half. Smith hauled in two for 24 and had a chance at a deep, explosive play later in the game that was overthrown, reminiscent of the miss to AJ Brown a week later. Both were heavily involved early, nine combined targets before halftime, before the offense stalled. It’s become a pattern: one great half of football, then silence. AJ had 7 yards in the second half from one reception.
Dallas Goedert
Goedert was once again Hurts’ most reliable option underneath, catching nine passes for 110 yards and a touchdown. He has been an integral part of their scoring drives and continues to be the steady force keeping this offense from completely breaking down.
Offensive Line
This is as leaky as the Eagles’ front has looked in years. Communication, leverage, and finish are all inconsistent. The lack of push up front has neutralized the ground game and forced Hurts into uncomfortable pockets. Jeff Stoutland’s group has set the standard in Philadelphia for nearly a decade, but this season, they look human, fatigued, and at times confused.
Defense
Containment Problems
The defense had no answer for Jaxson Dart’s mobility or Cameron Skattebo’s physicality. Dart completed 17-of-25 for 195 yards and a touchdown, while adding 58 yards and a rushing score. Skattebo punished the Eagles with 98 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries, consistently running through half-effort tackles. The inability to contain mobile quarterbacks continues to be a glaring issue for this unit.
Kelee Ringo
Ringo endured a rough night. He surrendered a 34-yard completion to Lil’Jordan Humphrey and later drew a defensive pass interference on an end-zone shot. He also missed tackles in space and on special teams. These are the growing pains of a young corner with tools but inconsistent eye discipline. But Kelee is in year three. The Eagles need him to get well or move on quickly. To who? No idea. Quinyon Mitchell left early with a hamstring injury, and the Giants' passing game had a field day. If he is not back to face the Vikings, this team could be looking at an even uglier stretch.
D-Line
Patrick Johnson’s third-quarter sack of Dart was only the second by an Eagles edge rusher all season. A staggering number for a defense that gets as many pressures as they do. The lack of sack production is costing them in key moments. The loss of Jalen Carter loomed large and showcased their lack of depth.
Special Teams
Mistakes continue to stack up. Tank Bigsby’s muffed kickoff just before halftime buried the Eagles at their own six-yard line. Sydney Brown was flagged for unnecessary roughness. His intensity is valuable, but he needs to refine it to become a true asset.
Conclusion
The offense remains a half-to-half operation. Kevin Patullo is rightfully taking heat, but the scheme is Nick Sirianni’s. The play-calling is predictable, but it always has been under Nick. The disjointedness and the lack of adjustments are the top issues. This team has now dropped two straight and could easily have three losses in a row if not for field goal blocking heroics versus the Rams. Sirianni is a “CEO and Culture” coach. It is time to fix the culture.
Philadelphia now has 10 days before returning to the field. A stretch that will define their season. Last year, this was the point where the identity took shape, but here’s no Cooper DeJean walking through the tunnel to spark it this year. They’ll have to find that change from within.
As always, thank you for reading!
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