By Tom Viera, Ayrton Ostly, Joe Rivera, and Chris Bumbaca | USA TODAY
The Philadelphia Eagles’ impressive start to the 2024 NFL season took a nosedive on Thursday night. After beginning the season 4-0, the defending NFC champions now find themselves at 4-2, having suffered back-to-back losses, the latest coming in a 34-17 defeat to their NFC East rivals, the New York Giants, on Thursday Night Football at MetLife Stadium.
The Giants, led by a strong performance from rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and standout running back Cam Skattebo, exploited the Eagles’ weaknesses, handing Philadelphia its second loss in just five days. Dart, who had his critics earlier in the season, showed his potential in front of a primetime audience, while Skattebo was a force in the backfield, running for three touchdowns and over 100 yards.
Eagles Start Strong But Fade in the Face of Giants’ Pressure
Philadelphia started the game with some momentum. After a brief field goal on their opening drive, they took a 17-13 lead midway through the second quarter following a couple of impressive drives capped by a “Tush Push” touchdown by quarterback Jalen Hurts. However, that lead was short-lived as the Giants responded quickly. New York’s defense also proved to be too much for Philadelphia’s offense in the second half, and a series of costly turnovers, including a late interception by Hurts and a fumble from running back A.J. Dillon, sealed the Eagles’ fate.
While Hurts had an otherwise solid performance, completing 22 of 37 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown, the late mistakes proved to be too damaging. The Eagles’ offense has been out of sync for much of the season, with star wide receiver A.J. Brown struggling to get involved, as seen in Thursday night’s game where he only caught six passes for 80 yards.
Jaxson Dart Shines in a Breakout Performance
The star of the night for the Giants was rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. The former Ole Miss signal-caller, who had his doubters after New York traded up to select him in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, showed why the Giants were so high on him. Dart was efficient and poised under pressure, finishing the game with 17 completions on 25 attempts for 195 yards and a touchdown, along with 58 yards and a rushing touchdown on the ground. His ability to move the chains and take what the defense gave him kept the Eagles’ defense on its heels throughout the game.
Dart’s first rushing touchdown came early in the game, and his second touchdown, a 19-yard scamper into the end zone, gave the Giants their first lead of the night. He wasn’t just effective through the air, though. Dart also connected with wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who caught a 35-yard touchdown pass that gave the Giants a 13-3 lead in the first quarter.
Cam Skattebo Powers Giants’ Ground Game
New York’s rookie running back, Cam Skattebo, played a pivotal role in the win. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound back powered his way to three touchdowns and 110 total yards, showcasing his ability to move the chains and break tackles. Skattebo’s first rushing touchdown came in the second quarter, where he ran it in from four yards out to put the Giants back on top 20-17 after Philadelphia had briefly regained the lead. His two second-half touchdowns — the first after a Jalen Hurts interception and the second after a critical fumble by A.J. Dillon — helped extend the Giants’ lead to 34-17, where it would stay for the rest of the game.
The Eagles’ Offense Stumbles Again
For the second consecutive week, the Eagles’ offense failed to produce at a high level. Philadelphia’s rushing game has been nonexistent, with Saquon Barkley — despite his star power — only managing 58 yards on 12 carries. For the fourth week in a row, the Eagles failed to reach 100 yards on the ground as a team. Without a solid ground game to complement their passing attack, the Eagles found themselves in predictable situations on third downs, going just 1-for-9 on third down conversions during the game.
Despite Hurts’ solid passing stats, the Eagles’ offensive line couldn’t protect him when it mattered. Defensive lineman Brian Burns wreaked havoc throughout the game, sacking Hurts twice, and the Giants’ defense effectively neutralized Hurts’ mobility in the pocket. In the second half, Hurts and the Eagles’ offense struggled to put together any sustained drives, and costly mistakes compounded their problems.
Turnovers Prove Fatal for Eagles
Philadelphia’s turnover woes proved fatal, with Hurts throwing a red-zone interception in the fourth quarter. The turnover was a pivotal moment in the game, as it kept the Eagles from closing the gap in the final moments. On the next drive, a fumble by running back A.J. Dillon further derailed the Eagles’ comeback efforts, allowing the Giants to take control of the clock and close out the game. These turnovers, combined with the Giants’ efficient offensive attack, ultimately sealed the Eagles’ fate.
A Shifting NFC East Landscape
With this victory, the Giants moved to 3-3 on the season and have now won two of their last three games. The win was also crucial within the NFC East, as the Eagles now find themselves in a much tighter race for the division title. A win in Week 6 would have given Philadelphia a commanding lead, but with this loss, the NFC East is now wide open. Washington (3-2) and Dallas (3-2) are also in contention, making every division game critical moving forward.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
Looking ahead, the Giants will head to Denver to face the 3-2 Broncos next week, while the Eagles will travel to Minnesota for a Week 7 matchup against the Vikings, who are also 3-2. Both teams are looking to rebound after tough losses, and each will need to figure out how to correct their respective offensive struggles if they want to stay in playoff contention.
Philadelphia’s upcoming matchups against NFC rivals like the Vikings and Giants will be crucial. The Eagles can’t afford to let their offensive issues linger, as they will need to right the ship before heading into their bye week.
Key Takeaways from the Game
- Jaxson Dart’s Development: The rookie quarterback showed why the Giants traded up to select him, making decisive plays under pressure and leading his team to victory.
- Cam Skattebo’s Impact: The rookie running back’s three-touchdown performance was a game-changer, allowing the Giants to control the tempo of the game.
- Eagles’ Turnovers: The Eagles’ turnovers, including a costly red-zone interception by Jalen Hurts and a fumble by A.J. Dillon, proved to be critical mistakes that sealed the game for the Giants.
- NFC East Tightens: The Eagles’ loss has thrown the NFC East division race wide open, with Washington and Dallas now within striking distance.
