An overview of Sunday’s NFL Week 8 Giants vs. Eagles game in Philadelphia:
Key matchup
Eagles DT Jalen Carter vs. Giants Interior Offensive Line
Two weeks ago, the Giants had a tough break when Carter was out with a heel injury on game day. This week, they’re facing him at full strength.
Carter’s presence is formidable. He caused serious problems for Carson Wentz last week, leading to a pick-six.
The Giants will have to deal with pressure from Carter as right guard Greg Van Roten is out, and center Jon-Michael Schmitz is back after a concussion protocol absence, making for a challenging matchup against one of the best interior defenders in the league.
Defensive Challenges
Players out: The Giants find themselves in a precarious position without their top cornerback, Paulson Adebo, and their leading safety, Jevon Holland.
Adebo played every single defensive snap in the first six games, while Holland wasn’t far behind. Both players were injured in Denver, leading to a collapse of the defense in their absence.
Dane Belton, known for his special teams skills, will step in for Holland, while there are concerns about 2023 first-round pick Deonte Banks stepping up quickly enough.
On a positive note, the Giants catch a break with Eagles’ star wide receiver AJ Brown out due to a knee issue.
Under the radar: Despite being a highly talented athlete, Abdul Carter hasn’t lived up to the expectations set for him as the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft.
His stats through seven games show some promise but fall short of what many anticipated, with only a half-sack and 16 tackles for loss. He seems on the brink of making a significant impact, but it hasn’t happened yet.
“Abdul is a tremendous talent. I mean, obviously the numbers are missing,” shared Brian Burns, who is leading the NFL with nine sacks. “But they’re going to come. I’m just trying to keep his mind right. He’s going to be something special.”
Struggling ground game: Saquon Barkley finished last week’s game against Minnesota with a mere 44 yards, averaging 2.9 yards per carry. This has been a pretty typical season for him.
Since his remarkable 2024 season, where he rushed for over 2,000 yards, he’s been averaging just 3.3 yards per attempt and is on track for around 896 yards this year. This decline highlights the issues with the offensive line.
“We’re working hard to solve this,” said Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni. “We have some solid ideas, but now we need to execute.”
Decision making: Last week, a choice in the fourth quarter may have pushed the Broncos into a timeout during a crucial moment. Offensive coordinator Mike Kafka opted for a pass play instead of running, which backfired when Jackson Dart threw an interception.
“With our best defense and the ball in Jackson’s hands, I felt confident in the play,” Kafka explained. When asked if the turnover shook Dart’s confidence, he dismissed the idea, insisting, “Absolutely not. I don’t regret that call at all.”
Looking Ahead
Now, the focus shifts to whether the Eagles can capitalize on this matchup and string together some wins. Jalen Hurts should find opportunities against the Giants’ thinned secondary. At some point, one would think Saquon Barkley will find his stride. Jackson Dart is being molded in Philadelphia’s tough environment, which often leads to tough outcomes for the Giants.
Eagles 27, Giants 16
