EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- An unexpected result should have been the expected outcome. That is, if you saw the Philadelphia Eagles play football over the past six weeks.
Tyrod Taylor and the New York Giants offense had 272 yards in the first half and chased the Eagles starters out of the game in the second quarter as New York led by 24 points at halftime en route to a 27-10 victory over Philadelphia. With the Eagles losing, the Dallas Cowboys clinched the NFC East title. Philadelphia will travel to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers in the NFC wild card round.
Saquon Barkley had two touchdown runs for the Giants and Darius Slayton had a touchdown catch in a 21-point second quarter for the Giants, one which New York scored on three straight possessions to take control of the game. The Giants finished a disappointing season with just six wins, but closed the year on a 4-3 stretch.
The Eagles had plenty of injuries in the first half, which led to the decision to pull some of their starters (along with the 24-0 deficit). A.J. Brown left the game with a right knee injury and was downgraded to out after halftime. Sydney Brown left in the first quarter with a knee injury and was shortly ruled out, and Jalen Hurts suffered a dislocated right middle finger -- but didn't miss a play. Hurts was pulled late in the first half (along with starters Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson) as the Eagles punted on the game trailing by more than three scores.
The Eagles lost five of their last six games after a 10-1 start, becoming the first team to make the playoffs to lose five of their last six since the 1999 Dolphins. That Dolphins team did win a playoff game on the road before losing 62-7 in the divisional round, potentially a sign of how the 2023 Eagles season will end up.
Takeaways from the regular-season finale are below, along with a recap of the Giants victory.
This game meant nothing for the Giants, yet New York was clearly the better team than the one that's going to the playoffs. Taylor carved up the Eagles defense in the first half, going 15 of 20 for 229 yards and a touchdown, hitting Wan'Dale Robinson for a 33-yard gain and Barkley for a 46-yard gain -- part of the big plays the offense had in the first half. All the Giants had to do was show up against an Eagles team that appeared lifeless -- especially once Brown was injured in the first quarter.
Same story hurting this team for the past several weeks. The Eagles can't stop anyone on defense, allowing the Giants to gain 272 yards and get in the red zone five times in the first half (Giants scored touchdowns on three of them). Without Brown for an extended period, the Eagles went 1 of 7 on third down and 7 of 17 throwing the football with two interceptions in that span (one from Jalen Hurts and one from Marcus Mariota).
Hasson Reddick and Nolan Smith in coverage isn't helping the defense and missed tackles are at the forefront of the team's problems. The middle of the field is also wide open for opposing quarterbacks to take advantage of. The Eagles are just a broken team with no way of fixing their issues.
Brown's fumble on the Giants' 18-yard line in the first quarter set the tone for how the Eagles' day was going to go. Brown caught a 9-yard pass from Hurts on the Eagles' second drive before Nick McCloud forced a fumble on the play, the first of two Eagles turnovers in the first half.
Brown came up limping after the play, previously laying on the MetLife Stadium turf for several minutes before walking off under his own power. He was ruled out with a right knee injury in the second half, but the Eagles offense was lifeless immediately after Brown walked off the field. The Eagles ran 20 plays for 32 yards in the second quarter, with Hurts suffering a dislocated finger in the process (Hurts didn't miss a play). The Giants outscored the Eagles' 21-0 in that stretch.
Not sure what the Eagles were doing on this play, but Smith was covering Barkley on a third-and-2 in a 17-0 game. That didn't go well -- as expected. Barkley beat Smith down the left side for a 46-yard gain just out of the two-minute warning, as the Giants running back looked like the Barkley of old.
Slayton caught a 19-yard pass for a touchdown on the next play to put the Giants up 24-0. That summarized how poor the Eagles' day was and how well the Giants' day went.
The Eagles locked up the No. 5 seed with the loss and will face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the wild card round of the playoffs. The Giants' 2023 season has concluded.
Sterling Shepard with his 372nd career reception, in sole possession for 5th in Giants history. This is likely Shepard's final game with the Giants as he's a free agent after the year.
That's the Quez Watkins TD Nick Sirianni has been waiting for all year. It's 24-10 Giants with 10:15 left.
The Eagles ran 20 plays for 32 yards in the second quarter --or the 20 plays after A.J. Brown left the game.
A.J. Brown downgraded to out. Reed Blankenship (groin) out. Cam Jurgens (eye) out.
Landon Dickerson playing center to start the second half. The Eagles backups are essentially in
The 24-point halftime deficit to the Giants is the Eagles largest halftime deficit against the Giants since Week 17 of the 2012 season (35-7).
Also known as Andy Reid's last game as head coach.
Saquon Barkley scores his 2nd TD of the half.
The Giants are up 17-0 on the Eagles. Meanwhile, the Cowboys are losing to the Commanders.
Total collapse by this football team over the past 5 weeks.
Darren Waller just beat James Bradberry in coverage for 23 yards. Good throw by Tyrod Taylor.
For those of you who remember the 1994 Eagles and 1996 Eagles -- this is what it feels like. Dane Belton with a sack on 3rd down as the Eagles lose 14 yards. This team is just bad right now.
Hurts looks to be coming back in.
The Giants are up 10-0 on the Eagles after Saquon Barkley scored a TD.
On the previous play, the Eagles gave up a 3rd-and-11. Three guys didn't cover Wan'Dale Robinson.
Here's Jalen Hurts' finger. It's gruesome looking.
Jalen Hurts is heading to medical tent. Appeared to be his middle finger on his throwing hand.
A.J. Brown questionable to return with a knee injury. Eagles are already down DeVonta Smith so their top WRs are Quez Watkins, Julio Jones, and Britain Covey.
Tommy DeVito in for Tyrod Taylor, who is questionable to return with a thumb injury.
Sydney Brown was ruled OUT with a knee injury. After a catch and fumble, A.J. Brown took a few minutes to get up. Appeared to be favoring his right leg.
Sydney brown on the cart. The Giants kicked a FG.
It's 3-0 early. Tyrod Taylor is 4 of 6 for 72 yards.
Sydney Brown came up limping after that punt. Helped to the sideline by trainers. Getting carried to blue tent.
Not sure what the Eagles accomplish when Jalen Hurts rolls right. His pass on 3rd-and-8 intended for Dallas Goedert is incomplete. Eagles punt.
The Eagles get a stop on third down. Jalin Hyatt wanted a PI on Eli Ricks but won't get it.
Eagles give up a first down on opening drive, but no points.
Mood right now
The Eagles win the toss and defer.
The Eagles have a +43 point differential in the first quarter, fourth-highest in NFL. The Giants have a -70 point differential, second-most in NFL. Important for the Eagles to start fast.
The Buccaneers are NFC South champions. They will be the No. 4 seed in the NFC. Tampa Bay plays either the Eagles or Cowboys. If Dallas wins, Tampa Bay hosts Philadelphia.
A loss for the Giants would seal New York's 4th top-5 pick in the last 7 years. The previous three were Saquon Barkley, Andrew Thomas, and Kayvon Thibodeaux.
The Eagles are 17-3 against the Giants since 2014 - the second-most wins against one opponent in the NFL over that span.
This matchup is between two of the top four teams that allow 30+ points this season. Both the Giants and Eagles have 6.
The Commanders (9) and Cardinals (7) have more.
The Giants inactives
WR Parris Campbell
CB Deonte Banks
OLB Benton Whitley
C John Michael Schmitz
TE Tyree Jackson
DT Timmy Horne
QB Jacob Eason
Jacoby Brissett is inactive for the Commanders today. Sam Howell will start. Eagles need the Cowboys to lose to win the NFC East.
The Cowboys will be without Zack Martin and Tyler Smith. Both their starting guards are inactive, for those scoreboard watching.
