Ignoring the facts doesn’t make them vanish.
Bobby Okereke, who plays inside linebacker, has a record of 1-3 against the Eagles during his time with the Giants. Is he perhaps weary of these losses?
“I’m obviously excited about the opportunity to get a win in front of our fans on Thursday night,” Okereke shared with the Post, skirting the question a bit.
Let’s rephrase that: Is there really a rivalry here? If one side is consistently winning, can we truly call it a rivalry?
“I think our focus is this Thursday. It’s a short week. We’re really looking forward to the matchup,” Okereke said, laughing slightly. It was clear I was pushing him to respond.
Next, let’s talk to Dexter Lawrence. As a towering nose tackle, he’s somewhat of an authority on the subject. The Giants have a dismal record of 3 wins and 10 losses against the Eagles. When asked if the frequent losses against divisional opponents are mentally taxing, his response was vague.
“I don’t know,” Lawrence replied.
Really? How could he not have an opinion on that? He could practically write an entire book titled “This Series is for the Birds.”
“I don’t care about that. You’re not going to win the next game with that mindset,” he stated firmly.
He’s right in a way. Just because there’s a troubling trend doesn’t mean it has to define the future, and that future is approaching quickly with Thursday night’s game. The Eagles, fresh from their first loss of the season, are gearing up to face a Giants team that’s struggling with injuries.
Given all the discussions surrounding their performance this season, one might expect the defending Super Bowl champions to have a better record than 4-1. Meanwhile, the Giants sit at the bottom of the NFC East with just one win alongside four losses. The high spirits from their previous victory over the Chargers were quickly dashed after a staggering defeat to the winless Saints, where they committed five turnovers.
Here we are again at a pivotal moment between success and failure. The Eagles will march one way, while the Giants seem to be heading in the opposite direction once more. Since 2014, the Eagles have dominated, winning 19 games to the Giants’ mere four. They’ve lost seven out of eight encounters, with the exception of a win in the last game of the 2023 season, where they took a 24-point lead prior to playoffs, while the Eagles rested their starters.
Jackson Dart finds himself in a unique position. This rookie season is full of firsts for him. This marks his initial game against an NFC East rival, and those matchups usually come with added excitement. It’s also his first primetime appearance against the Giants.
“Obviously, divisional games have more significance, and knowing the history and intensity of this matchup carries weight,” Dart commented.
He understands the importance of playing against the Giants, though understanding the actual history may be another story.
“I don’t know much,” Dart confessed. As you mature, you start grasping the essence of rivalries in the NFL. Simultaneously, you hear about how people in New York and New Jersey perceive those in Philadelphia, and vice versa. I’ve definitely acclimated to it since being here.”
As he steps onto the field, he’ll quickly see the blend of Eagles green and Giants blue filling the stands. The last home game saw him lead a thrilling comeback against the Chargers, which delighted the fans. That moment was his highlight, even as he faced defeat a week later.
“Realistically, this won’t be my last,” Dart reflected. “I just focus on identifying areas to improve while also recognizing what I did well to build upon for the next game.”
