Philadelphia Eagles tight end Dallas Goedert (88) makes a tackle on a pass from quarterback Jalen Hurts, unseen, as New York Giants players surround him during the first half of an NFL divisional-round football game, Saturday , January 21, 2023, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
AP photos
Death. Taxes. And giants fighting in the city of brotherly love.
New York’s promising first season under Brian Daboll came to a disappointing end with a 38-7 loss to the rival Eagles on Saturday night in the NFC divisional round.
Jalen Hurts and the Eagles jumped on the Giants early and often with back-to-back field goals to start the teams’ fifth meeting in the postseason. Dallas Goedert and DeVonta Smith caught two touchdown passes.
Daniel Jones struggled to hold a better defense throughout the game. Philadelphia’s relentless pass rush picked up five sacks, while Jones threw for less than 150 yards. Jones also threw his first interception of the postseason to former Giant James Bradberry to keep Philly’s offense going in the first half.
The Giants quarterback, who made tremendous strides throughout the regular season, completed 15 of 27 passes for 135 yards and a 53.6 passer rating. New York’s top offensive weapons outside of Jones weren’t much better either.
Saquon Barkley managed just 11 offensive touches for 82 yards and no scores.
Down 28-0 after halftime, the Giants went on a 10-play, 88-yard drive capped by a Matt Brieda run to cut the deficit to 21. But Philadelphia’s offensive line was too much for the Giants’ front seven. The Eagles rushed for a combined 268 yards on the ground and three scores.
The loss in Philly was the Giants’ 10th in a row against their NFC East rivals. The last time they won in the City of Brotherly Love was in 2013.
The Giants’ season ends with a 10-8-1 record in the first season under Brian Daboll. Philadelphia will advance to the second appearance of the NFC Title game next Sunday at home on FOX.
Game notes
- The Giants rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown. Their 5.9 yards per carry is the most the Eagles have given up in a game since early November.
- New York’s 2022-23 season may be over, but there are some offseason questions surrounding the team with Daniel Jones, Barkley and a plethora of other key players becoming free agents after the season ends.
- Jalen Hurts accounted for nearly 200 yards of total offense and three touchdowns. Philadelphia outscored the Giants 68-7 in the first half thanks to Hurts’ combination. New York lost all three contests to Philly in the 2022-23 season.
