Expectations for Thursday Night NFC East Showdown
Week Six is supplying fans with another NFC East rivalry that's heating up again. The Eagles are on the road to face the New York Giants this Thursday for the first of two face-offs in the next three weeks. The Giants are behind in the all-time series, trailing 87-93-2, and the Eagles have dominated the matchup in recent history, winning seven of their last eight. Despite this, NY has fared better at home, but the Eagles' 72.2% road win rate—tied with Kansas City for the highest in the league—makes any stadium feel like home turf. Both teams enter the game off disappointing losses and will seek redemption this week against a division opponent. NFC East matchups are always tight battles, and on a short week, any factor could swing the fate of the game.
Eagles Pass Attack Improving, While Consistency Declines
Last week, the Eagles suffered their first loss of the season at the hands of the Denver Broncos, an upset that few had expected. They blew a 14-point lead and were iced out 18-0 in the fourth quarter. The defense collapsed in the last 15 minutes—careless penalties and missed key stops marked a notable shift in momentum that ultimately cost them the game. Still, the franchise QB Jalen Hurts' passing game found rhythm as he threw for 280 yards. Despite the improvement in the air, the Broncos shut down the run game. Hurts gained just three yards on two carries, while Saquon Barkley recorded only 30 yards on six carries. Fans got a flash of Barkley's 2024 season dominance when he had one carry for 17 yards, the longest run of this season thus far, though fans still await his breakout game. Barkley is labeled questionable with minor knee soreness coming out of Week Five, but reports indicate that he is fully expected to play Thursday night. Dallas Goedert is healthy again and has been a monster for the Eagles' offense this season. Though his yardage doesn't reflect his impact, he has been a valuable option for Hurts lately, with four touchdowns this season. The Eagles' weak spot this season is consistency. In Weeks Three through Five, especially, both the offense and the defense have been dominant in one half but struggle to execute consistently throughout both. If the Giants want to win, they have to exploit that inconsistency by adjusting to outpace them.
Giants Find Rhythm on Offense, but Can't Close Out
The New York Giants have had a slow start to the season, and another loss last Sunday leaves them at 1-4. They entered the season with Russell Wilson, but in Week Four, Jaxson Dart got his first career start and led them to their first win over the Chargers. Last week was only Dart's second career start, and he came out strong with two early touchdowns, finishing with 202 yards passing and 55 yards rushing. However, five turnovers—three fumbles and two interceptions—killed their chance to overcome the Saints. Still, the rookie quarterback has undoubtedly added a spark to a team in need of momentum. Another promising rookie in the offense is Cam Skattebo, a versatile RB who contributes as a rusher and receiver, adding two touchdowns to the stat sheet this season. With Malik Nabers—the team's star wide receiver—out for the season, Dart may be looking to favor Skattebo more, while also turning to tight end Theo Johnson. Now finding his stride with his QB, Johnson has three touchdown receptions from Dart over the last two games. Outside of impressive left tackle Andrew Thomas—who has allowed zero QB hits, zero sacks, zero pressures, and has zero penalties—the weakest point for NY is arguably their offensive line. With an intense pass rush from Philadelphia, pressure on Dart to make quick decisions could decide the game.
What's the Verdict?
Both teams are obviously still finding their footing in their 2025 campaigns, but it seems the Eagles are better positioned to bounce back in Week Six. Their passing attack is improving, and even with inconsistency looming over their heads, their depth and confidence on the road give them the edge to beat the Giants Thursday night. The Giants have youthful energy—players like Dart and Skattebo possess a spark that gives them a fighting chance—but if the Eagles stay sharp and avoid turnovers, their experience should ultimately prevail. Expect a tight matchup as both teams seek redemption, but don't be surprised if the firepower from Philly refuses to falter for a second consecutive week.
