Eagles Soar into Playoffs with Impressive Victory Against Giants

Thankfully, Tanner McKee turned a trivial game into an enjoyable experience with an outstanding display during his inaugural NFL start.

It was also gratifying to witness the Eagles match a franchise record with their 14th victory, edging the Giants 20-13.

Their starting players were safely resting on the sidelines while the backups were making an impact.

Now, the exciting phase begins.

Onward to the playoffs.

1. As I spent the afternoon observing the scoreboard, eager to find out which team the Eagles would face in their upcoming postseason matchup, I realized that it truly doesn’t matter. The Eagles outmatch the Packers and the Commanders, and I would be astonished if they don’t handle their business next weekend. I’m optimistic about where this team stands as they enter the playoffs. Aside from one dreadful fourth quarter in Washington, they have consistently performed at an elite level for nearly the last three months. For only the fourth instance this season, they will have DeVonta Smith, A.J. Brown, and Dallas Goedert all fit to play. Their running game is unparalleled, and since the bye week, their passing game has been both efficient and effective. They possess the top defense in the NFL, are competing at home, are in good health, are well-rested, and have concluded the season by winning 12 out of their last 13 games. It turns out they’ll meet the Packers, but honestly, it doesn’t even matter; the Eagles are the superior team.

2. It was remarkable to see Tanner McKee throw a couple of touchdown passes towards the end of last week’s game against Dallas, but his performance on Sunday was even more awe-inspiring, especially considering he was working with an entirely backup offensive line (which wasn’t very strong), several rookies, and backup receivers—except for Dallas Goedert early on—and he still executed at such a high level. There’s no denying that this young player has a promising future ahead in this league, and let’s hope Howie Roseman resists the temptation to trade him, as I’m certain there will be considerable offers. McKee embodies all the qualities desired in a young quarterback—precision, decisiveness, intellect, powerful arm, and impressive size. He possesses excellent pocket awareness, accurately delivers the ball on the run, and has a natural talent for anticipating where his receivers will be rather than just where they currently are. His 19-yard throw to Jahan Dotson to convert a 3rd-and-15 in the second quarter was a superb pass. He had several impressive throws on Sunday, connecting with players on the run, enabling them not just to make receptions but to catch the ball in stride and gain significant yards after the catch. He is the first quarterback in Eagles history to throw four touchdown passes in his initial two games. Carson Wentz managed three in 2016 (and Scott Tinsley did so in two strike replacement games in 1987). McKee completed 27 of 41 attempts for 269 yards with touchdown passes to Ainias Smith and E.J. Jenkins and recorded no turnovers. Kenny Pickett showcased his potential against Washington and Dallas, but I just can’t picture McKee being the No. 3 again next year. He’s too talented. In fact, I don’t want to get overly excited, but I am confident he will become an NFL starter somewhere at some point.

3. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is an absolute joy to watch. He showcases a stark contrast to his father, who was a robust, powerhouse player. Trotter Jr. is agile, athletic, and instinctual, but he also plays with strength, and every time we’ve witnessed him compete—be it during garbage time in lopsided wins or on Sunday in his first significant playing time of his career—he has consistently found a way to the ball. He appears to have a special talent for moving through traffic to make tackles. Plus, he knows how to finish plays. He accumulated 11 tackles on Sunday, which was the second most on the team, trailing Oren Burks’ 17. Trotter Jr. weighs around 225 pounds, roughly 35 pounds lighter than his father. A completely distinct kind of linebacker, but a highly promising talent nonetheless.

4. There’s plenty to appreciate about Will Shipley; he has the capability to evolve into a significant receiving back in this offense. Shipley seems to be a competent runner, but he truly excels as a back capable of coming out of the backfield. He runs precise routes, knows how to create separation, possesses soft hands, catches the ball proficiently, and maintains a quick and strong presence once he has possession. Shipley had never recorded a catch in his NFL career prior to Sunday, but he made four receptions for 35 yards and appeared to be very at ease doing so. We’ll see how things unfold with Kenny Gainwell, who is under contract only through 2024 and might be seeking a chance for more playtime elsewhere. In any case, I could envision Shipley playing an important role in the offense next year, particularly as a receiver.

5. Jahan Dotson demonstrated that he is a genuine NFL talent on Sunday, and with DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown sidelined, someone needed to step up in the receiving game. It was refreshing to observe McKee place his trust in the former first-round selection, enabling him to make impactful plays. Dotson’s year has been tough thus far, particularly since the Eagles traded a 3rd-round pick to acquire him. Entering Sunday, he had registered only 12 receptions for 122 yards across 16 games, despite clocking over 600 offensive snaps. However, he exploded for 7 catches and 94 yards on Sunday, showcasing a strong performance. That’s only 28 yards less than he had accumulated throughout the entire year against the Giants. He looked agile and quick, demonstrating the ability to evade defenders once he caught the ball. While I understand that Brown, Smith, and Goedert will receive the majority of the targets, it’s advantageous to have an additional reliable option, and Dotson proved on Sunday that Hurts should undoubtedly have faith in him. It’s beneficial to possess another dependable weapon.

6. I acknowledge that it’s Drew Locke and the Giants, whose offense underwhelms, yet it was encouraging to witness the Eagles’ defensive reserves restrict the Giants to just 238 yards and 13 points, securing the NFL’s No. 1 defensive ranking for the season. The work Vic Fangio accomplished this year is remarkable. He transformed a defense that was ranked 26th last year and struggling by season’s end almost instantly. Credit goes to Howie Roseman for bringing in Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Zack Baun, and Isaiah Rodgers, along with players like Nakobe Dean, Nolan Smith, and Jalen Carter for their significant progress. After last year’s downfall, the Eagles recognized the need for a younger, faster, and more aggressive defense, and Fangio was the ideal candidate to guide that transition. This represents the Eagles’ first No. 1 defense since 1991, which was a star-studded group that had been together for a lengthy period. This current defense is the youngest in the NFL, and they are bound to continue improving. I anticipate they will perform remarkably in the playoffs.

7. I genuinely admire the Eagles’ youthful depth in the secondary, and players like Kelee Ringo, Sydney Brown, and Eli Ricks had drastically fewer snaps this year compared to last as rookies, making this a valuable opportunity for them to gain rare extended playing time. It could be yet another offseason of transformation in the secondary. Slay performed admirably during his 12th season but has faced numerous injuries and is now 34 years old. Isaiah Rodgers, who participated in over 300 snaps as the third cornerback, is not under contract beyond this year. Rodgers significantly contributed this season, especially considering he was out of the game the previous year due to suspension. However, Ringo has been impressive, and I could see him assuming the role of the third corner next year or possibly evolving into an outside starter down the line.

at some juncture since it would be logical to retain Cooper DeJean in the slot. This organization has struggled for years to cultivate homegrown secondary talent, but with Quinyon Mitchell, DeJean, Ringo, Brown, and Ricks, they’ve managed to assemble an impressive roster of promising young defensive backs to construct their foundation.

8. For clarity, the Eagles’ starting offensive line consisted of Fred Johnson, Tyler Steen, Nick Gates, Jack Driscoll, and Darian Kinnard. Big Fred performed admirably when Jordan Mailata was sidelined for four games earlier this season, yet overall, this isn’t a particularly strong group of reserves, and observing them in action certainly enhances your appreciation for Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Mekhi Becton, and Lane Johnson. We are immensely fortunate to witness that lineup collaborate weekly, both in creating pathways for Saquon Barkley to burst through and shielding Jalen Hurts from opposing rushers. We’ve seen some truly subpar offensive lines around here, and until Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan assumed the tackle positions, the Eagles hadn’t really had a single elite offensive lineman since the days of Stan Walters and Jerry Sisemore. So having this collective together now is simply remarkable, credit to Roseman for assembling it and Jeff Stoutland for nurturing it. I’m uncertain if there are other cities where offensive linemen receive as much recognition as receivers and quarterbacks, but this is the ideal lineup for this city.

9. I understand many were disheartened that Nick Sirianni kept Saquon Barkley 101 yards away from eclipsing the NFL single-season rushing record, and I can comprehend that sentiment. Achieving that would have been a rare milestone, and I doubt anyone will challenge that record in the near future. However, there was a sense of reassurance in witnessing Barkley seated on the bench in his hoodie, well clear of the Giants defense, safely out of danger. And I can’t help but consider the chaos it would have unleashed if we found ourselves in the fourth quarter with Barkley having 19 carries for 87 yards and how anxious everyone would have been attempting to secure those final few yards, with Saquon facing relentless hits against a fortified front. The fact remains, Barkley has only surpassed 101 yards six times throughout the year before the fourth quarter. It’s disappointing. Nevertheless, the top running back in the NFL will be fit and recharged next weekend, and in the broader scope, that’s what truly counts.

10. It was pleasing to see Goedert return for the first time since the Ravens match and actively contribute by making plays. Goedert had a single unfortunate drop that cost a first down, yet he managed to haul in four receptions for 55 yards, marking his 4th-best game of the season despite participating only in the first half. It served as a reminder of Goedert’s high caliber, which we haven’t witnessed much this year. We haven’t seen an abundance of a healthy Goedert this season, but when he’s at his best, he remains a top-5 tight end in the NFL, and if the Eagles aim for a serious postseason run, they require Goedert to play a key role.

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