Philadelphia Eagles Defeat New York Giants on Christmas
The Philadelphia Eagles managed to hold on to a 17-point halftime lead and secure a 33-25 victory over the New York Giants on Christmas. This win marked their 12th consecutive victory over the Giants and ended their three-game losing streak. With a record of 11-4, the Eagles remain the favorites to win the NFC East. On the other hand, the Giants fell to 5-10 and may be considering a new starting quarterback after Tommy DeVito was benched at halftime for backup Tyrod Taylor.
Philadelphia Eagles Performance
The Eagles were hoping that the game against the Giants would help them regain their confidence after three consecutive losses. However, their performance was not exactly inspiring. They made some untimely mistakes in the second half, including losing a fumble on the opening kickoff and Jalen Hurts throwing a pick-six. Despite these setbacks, Hurts and the offense managed to respond with a scoring drive to secure the win. The general feeling in the stadium was that the Eagles were fortunate to be playing against a weaker team.
Silver Lining: Easiest Closing Schedule
Fortunately for the Eagles, they have the easiest closing schedule in the NFL. They have a home game against the 3-12 Arizona Cardinals next and then wrap up the regular season at the Giants. With the Dallas Cowboys having lost their last two games, the Eagles are in a favorable position to claim the NFC East title.
Breakout Performance: Britain Covey
Britain Covey had an outstanding game for the Eagles, with three punt returns for 66 yards. His 54-yard return set up a touchdown for the Eagles on their first possession. Covey also saw increased playing time at receiver and made his first NFL catch.
Promising Trend: Shaquille Leonard
With linebackers Zach Cunningham and Nicholas Morrow sidelined due to injuries, Shaquille Leonard stepped up and had a strong performance. He recorded his first sack since the 2020 season, along with a couple of tackles for loss and a QB hit. Leonard’s performance offered hope to the struggling linebacker corps.
New York Giants Performance
Tommy DeVito was benched at halftime in favor of Tyrod Taylor due to his ineffective performance. DeVito went 9-of-16 for 55 yards in the first half, and the Giants were trailing 20-3. Taylor led the team to a touchdown on his first drive and threw a long touchdown pass to Darius Slayton. DeVito’s performance on Christmas likely marked the end of his run as the starting quarterback.
Troubling Trend: Giants vs. Winning Teams
The Giants have struggled against winning teams this season, losing all seven games they’ve played against teams with a winning record. Five of those losses have been by double digits. This season was supposed to be about closing the gap on the Eagles and Cowboys, but the Giants have been outscored 122-42 in their three matchups against these teams. It is clear that they have a long way to go before they can compete in the NFC East, let alone the NFC.
Silver Lining: Better Draft Pick
The Giants’ recent struggles have put them in a position to secure a high draft pick. According to ESPN Analytics, they are currently favored to draft fifth in the upcoming NFL draft. Their chances of landing in the top 5 will only increase, especially considering they will be underdogs in their final two games against the Los Angeles Rams and Eagles.
Pivotal Play: Costly Special Teams Mistake
The Giants’ special teams have been a source of concern throughout the season. In this game, they allowed a 54-yard punt return by Britain Covey, which set up an early touchdown for the Eagles. The Giants’ special teams have struggled consistently, raising questions about whether changes need to be made in the coaching staff.
Overall, the Eagles managed to secure a much-needed win, while the Giants continue to face challenges and uncertainties as they look towards the future.