5 things we learned from the Eagles’ I-95 disgrace against New York
Giants bully Birds in the trenches
From The Reporter: https://tinyurl.com/mtb7hxw8
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — On a chilly Thursday night in the Meadowlands, the New York Giants did what few expected: They pushed around the defending champs.
With rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and rookie running back Cam Skattebo, New York brutalized the Birds on both lines of scrimmage and turned a close divisional game into a 34–17 debacle that sent a jolt through the NFC East.
After a slugfest in the opening 30 minutes that had New York up by three, the Eagles were blanked after the break as the last-place Giants dominated time of possession, forced key turnovers and shattered cracks that had been simmering beneath the Birds’ 4-1 start.
1. Skattebo dominates as Giants’ ground game controls
Cam Skattebo was a wrecking ball. He carried 19 times for 98 yards and three touchdowns, producing the kind of physical dominance an undermanned Eagles defense couldn’t contain. Meanwhile, Dart added to New York’s balance by rushing for 58 yards and a score.
The Giants finished with 172 rushing yards on 39 carries, outpacing Philadelphia’s meager 73 on 20 attempts. Saquon Barkley, who was averaging six yards per carry early on, was only handed the ball 12 times all night (after just six handoffs last week).
“Anytime you lose, it’s not a good feeling,” Barkley said. “But the mood’s got to be, you take it on the chin and you keep moving. That’s the National Football League. ... There’s a lot of things we need to work on. After a stretch like this, two losses in a row, that can be the reason why your team goes the opposite way or it can point us in the direction where we need to go.
“We’re still searching. We’ve got to find our identity, but it’s going to take all of us to do it together.”
Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (heel) was out. Cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (hamstring) exited in the second quarter and didn’t return. Nickel Cooper DeJean and linebacker Jihaad Campbell were also banged-up. Linebacker Nakaboe Dean (knee surgery) was on the active roster but didn’t play.
2. Eagles go limp after halftime
Philadelphia scored 10 points in the first quarter and seven in the second, but went cold in the second half – yet again. The Giants, by contrast, scored in all four quarters and grinded out the win.
The Eagles’ total offense of 339 yards wasn’t terrible, but they never adapted to New York’s adjustments and aggressiveness. Their inability to ad lib in-game became a fatal weakness, as has been a theme this season.
3. Hurts’ interception ends streak — and momentum
Quarterback Jalen Hurts was 24 of 33 for 283 yards, a touchdown and a pick. His interception – a Cor’Dale Flott return for 68 yards – turned the tide. It also ended Hurts’ streak of 305 consecutive regular-season passes without a turnover.
“You have to move on. I’ve got to make better decisions,” Hurts said.
On top of that, the Eagles also lost an A.J. Dillon fumble in Giants territory in the fourth quarter, halting another promising drive. Hurts did manage a 1-yard rushing touchdown via the tush push early.
4. Tush push earns a score but not a breakthrough
Philadelphia (4-2) leaned on its signature formation in the first half, running four straight Tush Push plays near the goal line to punch in a 1-yard TD run by Hurts. But once the Giants (2-4) adjusted, the tactic became stale and predictable.
The lack of offensive variety exposed the Eagles when New York stacked the line, and Philadelphia was unable to counter with other options in the second half.
5. Depth and adjustments fail to match challenge
The loss further exposed the depth issues that have lurked all season. Philadelphia was without key help when Quinyon Mitchell went down, weakening the secondary.
“We had opportunities, we just didn’t finish,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “That falls on me as much as our players.”
6. (Bonus) Special teams woes add to the mess
The Eagles’ struggles weren’t confined to offense and defense. Their special teams performance was shaky all night. Four botched returns and leaky coverage only bolstered New York.
“When you play a team that’s executing that well, every inch matters,” Sirianni said. “Special teams is part of that, and we didn’t win those hidden yards tonight.”
Bottom line
The Eagles, whose offensive line is ailing, were just 1-for-9 on third down and are no longer flying under the radar. Their flaws – especially when forced to pivot midgame – have become glaring.
They head into their mini-bye needing adjustments, accountability and reinforcements. The NFC East is still theirs to lose, but after Thursday’s humiliation, they’re suddenly in danger of doing exactly that.
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Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.