Burned in the streets, burned on the field — 5 takeaways from Eagles-Giants a day later

The last time the Eagles won a game by more than one possession was October 22, 2023. They beat the Dolphins that Sunday night at Lincoln Financial Field 31-17.

They have not had a stress-free victory. 364 days later, the Eagles finally got one.

The Eagles built a lead and maintained it. The last time that happened, the Phillies were a day removed from their Game 5 victory of the NLCS in Arizona. Crazy, right?

The Birds went into Metlife Stadium and dominated the Giants, 28-3. This is their first back-to-back win since last November. You can thank a lot of this to the man whose jersey was burned in the parking lot before the game.

Here are my five observations a day after the win:

Not a revenge game? Sure.

Saquon Barkley returned to the Meadowlands Sunday afternoon. The first thing he saw was his jersey being burned in the parking lot.

“That was crazy,” Barkley said postgame. “I’ve seen my jersey get burned before on social media, but the timing of it: I’m locked in, I’m listening to my music, and all I see is fans just pointing. And I looked and I’m like, ‘What are they pointing at?’ And I see smoke. I’m just like, [that’s] my jersey getting burned. That was definitely different.

“That was definitely different. I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced anything like that in my life and, hopefully, I don’t experience that again. But in that moment, I was ready for third-and-1, I’ll just say that.”

Barkley’s old Giants 26 jersey was certainly burned in the lots, but he torched his old Giants on the gridiron. He ran for 176 yards and a touchdown, including 187 total yards, and averaged over 10.4 yards per carry.

Giants owner John Mara may never sleep again.

His 176 yards are the 2nd-most in NFL history by a player against his former team. Cedric Benson‘s 189 for the Bengals against the Bears in Cincinnati in 2009 is first.

Barkley’s 10.4 yards-per-carry is the highest by an Eagle with at least 15 carries in 59 years – since Timmy Brown averaged 11.6 on 16-for-186 in a loss to the Browns at Municipal Stadium in 1965, according to Reuben Frank of NBC Sports Philadelphia.

That is crazy.

“To be honest, I’m so happy this game’s over,” Barkley said. “I don’t think I should get, besides today, any more questions about the Giants. But like I always said, I’m thankful for that organization. They’re the team that drafted me. I still got nothing but love and respect for all the guys over there, but I’m happy to be an Eagle.

“Most importantly, we got a win today in the division against a division rival and now it’s on to the next one.”

As soon as he took the field with the Eagles, Barkley got booed. As soon as he was handed the ball, he got booed. Giants fans wore his jersey, with tape over ‘BARKLEY’ on the back of the jersey. It was replaced with ‘TRAITOR’ and other x-rated specialties.

“It’s kind of hard not to hear that,” he said. “I think I kind of didn’t help myself when I said earlier in the week I didn’t think I was going to get booed. But they’re booing for a reason. It’s a compliment at the end of the day. That’s how I took it.”

Barkley pulled off a 55-yard run down the far sideline early in the second quarter, reaching a career-best top speed of 21.93 mph on the play. Three plays later, he was pushed into the end zone for a three-yard touchdown for the game’s first score.

He ripped off another big 38-yard run to get the Eagles inside the 15, getting up to 127 yards on the ground. After the drive, with Barkley close to his personal best of 189 rushing yards, Nick Sirianni spoke to him.

“I sat there with him and I said, ‘Listen, here’s where you are; here’s what it is,'” Sirianni said postgame. “And he looked at me and he said, this gives me chills to think about; this guy is such a great teammate, all he cares about is winning, ‘Let the other guys eat.’

“And I was like, ‘You’re special, dude.'”

Kenneth Gainwell ended up with 13 carries and 56 yards. He went out and finished the game.

Through six games, Barkley has 658 rushing yards, 6.1 yards per rush, and five touchdowns. Barkley also broke the Eagles record for the most rushing yards in the first six games of a season at 659, passing LeSean McCoy who had 630 in 2013. He is the all-time leading rusher in the history of Metlife Stadium. He has the same amount of touchdowns at Metlife Stadium as the Giants this season, one.

Lol.

All week, and year, Barkley shot down the thoughts of this being a revenge game for him. We believe you, Saquon, we believe you…

Dominant defense

The Eagles’ defense was dominant Sunday afternoon. Absolutely dominant. The Giants collected just 117 total yards and just 2.2 yards per play.

They have held consecutive opponents without an offensive touchdown. This defense is starting to look overpowering. They are getting sacks, stopping the run at an elite level, and covering excellently. This defense is filled with young guys who are only going to get better.

Especially Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell. They better each week and play with the confidence and physicality of a veteran. Mitchell just turned 23 and DeJean is 21. They are only going to get better.

It is very exciting.

Sacks on sacks on sacks

More on the defensive performance; my God. Eight sacks? After five sacks last week? Oh yeah.

This pass rush was unwatchable earlier this season. They have completely turned things around.

Jalen Carter, Nakobe Dean, Nolan Smith, Bryce Huff, and Josh Sweat all recorded sacks. Two for Carter and Dean, respectively. The Georgia Eagles were responsible for five sacks. You wanted production from the Bulldogs, you got it. Sweat’s sack extended his sack streak to three straight games. And after all the crap I talked about Huff the first few weeks, he got his first full sack as an Eagle.

The Browns and Giants offenses stink, but the Eagles getting pressure and finishing is very encouraging. The talent on this defensive line is getting the job done. Doing what they needed to do.

Also, Joshua Ezeudu, the Gaints’ backup left tackle who started Sunday due to Andrew Thomas‘ injury, stunk. The Eagles took advantage.

Another slow start, but Jalen Hurts did what he needed to do

In the first quarter, Hurts and the Eagles were 0-for-3 on third down, Hurts was sacked three times, and ended with zero points. Again, eighth straight game. They finished 1-for-12 on third down, and Hurts missed a ton of open guys all day long. Most notably, he missed DeVonta Smith right in front of him in the second quarter on third down, and Barkley for a wide-open touchdown in the third quarter, and DeVonta Smith right in front of him in the second quarter on third down.

These are issues, but Hurts did what he needed to do. He controlled the offense, made big throws, picked up key first downs, and did not turn the ball over for the second straight week.

Hurts only threw 14 passes, completing 10 for 114 yards, including a 41-yard touchdown to A.J. Brown on a fourth down in the second and two tush push TDs. Hurts’ numbers are starting to look pretty solid. He has a 68 completion percentage, seven TDs, four interceptions, and a 94.4 passer rating.

This throw, my goodness

This throw alone deserves to be talked about by itself.

That 41-yard touchdown from Hurts to Brown was beautiful. It was a dime.

Just gorgeous stuff.

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