There is no time of the year quite like the NFL Playoffs. After an intense Super Wild Card Weekend, we had some more fun in the Divisional Round. Just like that, only four of the 32 NFL teams remain.
Through a crazy 18-week NFL schedule that featured many crazy NFL matchups, Saturday marked the third time this season the No. 6 New York Giants (10-8-1) and No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles (15-3) squared off. This time, however, was the most important of them all. Follow along for the Giants vs Eagles recap.
Hurts Was Hurtin’
All week leading up to the New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles game, all eyes were on Jalen Hurts. The star QB was on the NFL injury report to wrap up Philadelphia’s magical season, and many people did not think Hurts could excel through his injury.
Hurts was not at 100%, but his impact on the field is valuable regardless. It seemed like the only thing Hurts was hurting was the New York Giants’ defense and the hearts of all their fans in the 38-7 victory.
Rematch of Week 18
The last two NFL games for the Philadelphia Eagles were against the New York Giants. They played in Week 18 and the NFC Divisional Playoffs, with the Eagles winning both games. Philadelphia had the better NFL team stats and the better NFL player stats all season long against their NFC East foe.
Just like in the Wild Card Round, the Giants immediately fell to a 7-0 deficit. This time, however, that deficit kept growing. It all started with an 8-play, 78-yard drive that ended in a Dallas Goedert touchdown catch. Five minutes into the game, the momentum was all in favor of the home team.
New York immediately went on a little run themselves. The Giants brought the ball into Philadelphia territory and could have opted for a 57-yard field goal courtesy of Graham Gano.
Instead, the Giants went for it on 4th and 8th. Daniel Jones was sacked for the second straight play, giving the ball back to Philly with excellent field position. The aggression for Brian Daboll and company worked against an inferior Minnesota defense the week before, but not so much this time around.
The Beginning of The End
Of course, with the great field position, the Eagles extended their lead to 14-0. The young duo of DeVonta Smith and Hurts connected for six. When the ball got kicked back to New York, this was the beginning of the end.
Danny Dimes delivered a dime to James Bradberry on the opposite team. As the 1st quarter wrapped up, this game was all Philadelphia.
Anybody who followed the NFL odds heading into the game had to know about Boston Scott. The running back is a scoring machine against the Giants for some reason. What did he do? He scored a touchdown, of course, extending the lead to 21-0 midway through the second quarter.
After a three-and-out for the Giants, the Eagles marched 72 yards down the field, scoring their fourth touchdown. Hurts used his legs this time around and scored his first rushing touchdown giving his team a 28-0 lead heading into the half.
Punt Galore
Looking at the New York Giants stats, the first thing you need to look at are the punts. Jamie Gillan was very active, with three punts in the first half. All three of those punts came from three-and-outs. The entire Giants vs Eagles recap is set on the fact that the New York offense was virtually nonexistent.
The lone touchdown for the Giants came in the third quarter. Jones led his team to an 88-yard drive that was capped off by a Matt Breida rushing touchdown. Saquon Barkley sparked the offense with a 39-yard run. The score was now 28-7 at this point.
The offense was not at the forefront of the second half. Jake Elliot kicked his first field goal, and then Kenneth Gainwell rushed for a 35-yard score. The game ended in favor of the Eagles 38-7. Out of the eight losses for the Giants this season, three of them came at the hands of the Eagles.
Final Recap of the Game
As we close out the Giants vs Eagles recap, there are some stats and final notes needed to be shared.
Where the Heck Was the Offense for The Giants?
Jones only connected on 15 passes for 135 yards. He had an abysmal QBR of 11.4.
Sure, he played perhaps the best game of his career the week before, but he needs to be more consistent. He likely earned a sizable payout to return to New York next season, but the Giants needed more out of their men under center.
Barkley was only given the ball nine times. In a bounce-back year for Barkley, he was arguably the man who got them here in the first place. He needed more touches.
It also does not help that Richie James was the only wide receiver with more than one target. A lot of credit goes to Haason Reddick and Josh Sweat, who each had 1.5 sacks on Jones.
Hurts is going to be just okay. They have so many other weapons even when he is not 100%. Philadelphia had 268 yards on the ground.
Hurts completed 16-24 passes for 154 yards and two touchdowns. He added another score with his legs.
What’s Next?
Major props go the way of the New York Giants; they made a lot of bettors and a lot of money in the 2022-23 NFL season. Our NFL picks loved them this year as they went 13-4 against the spread in the regular season. It was a fun season for the Giants, but all eyes have moved to the San Francisco 49ers vs Philadelphia Eagles game to declare the NFC Champion.
The Eagles covered the spread easily against the Giants, but the game went under the projected total. The San Francisco 49ers and Eagles were at the top of the NFL standings all season long, and now they battle for a spot in the Super Bowl.
Will Brock Purdy do the unthinkable and continue his magical season, or will the balanced Eagles represent the NFC?
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