In the regular-season finale, the Philadelphia Eagles secured a 20-13 victory over the New York Giants, resting several key players in preparation for the playoffs. With a 14-3 record, the Eagles earned the No. 2 seed in the NFC and will face the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round. Notable players like Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith were sidelined, while backup Tanner McKee threw for 269 yards and two touchdowns, helping the Eagles tune up for the postseason. Despite the lack of importance for the game, McKee showcased his potential as a reliable backup quarterback.
Saquon Barkley, who had a standout season, finished with 2,005 rushing yards, just 101 yards shy of breaking Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record. Barkley was among the players sitting out for the Eagles in the finale, and while it was a smart decision to rest the starters, some disappointment lingered in Philadelphia about Barkley not having the chance to break the record, especially against the Giants, the team that let him go at the end of the previous season. The Eagles’ decision to prioritize the playoffs over individual achievements was confirmed as the right move after seeing injuries to players like Green Bay’s Christian Watson and Jordan Love.
Hurts, who has been in the NFL concussion protocol for the past two weeks, likely will return for the playoff game against Green Bay. With Hurts’ status uncertain and backup quarterback Kenny Pickett still nursing injuries, McKee’s performance during the final game proved crucial for the Eagles, showing he could step in if needed. The 24-year-old quarterback completed all three of his passes on the first drive and threw two touchdown passes, giving the Eagles confidence in his abilities should he be called upon in the postseason.
Meanwhile, the Giants ended the season with a disappointing 3-14 record, securing the No. 1 draft pick after a late win against Indianapolis and Cleveland’s loss to Baltimore. Coach Brian Daboll’s future with the team is uncertain, as his tenure has been marked by a lack of playoff appearances and an 18-32-1 record. The Giants’ struggles were further evident in their loss to the Eagles, despite wide receiver Malik Nabers setting a franchise record with 109 receptions and Drew Lock connecting with him for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
In a game with relatively subdued play-calling, the Eagles managed only 51 rushing yards without Barkley but got a boost from tight end Dallas Goedert, who returned from a knee injury with four catches for 55 yards. Special teams also had a role, with Jake Elliott making two field goals, though he missed a 39-yarder due to windy conditions. The Giants also had some success with kicker Graham Gano, who made two field goals, including a long 53-yarder in the fourth quarter. With the postseason ahead, the Eagles look to make a serious Super Bowl run, while the Giants must now focus on their coaching decisions and future roster changes.
