By Harshit | October 10, 2025 | East Rutherford, New Jersey | 11:45 AM EDT
A Stunning Upset at MetLife
The Philadelphia Eagles walked into MetLife Stadium on Thursday night as defending NFC champions and one of the NFL’s most balanced teams on paper. They left bruised, battered, and stunned after a 34-17 loss to the New York Giants that has shaken up early-season narratives and exposed serious weaknesses on both sides of the ball.
From the opening snap, when former Eagle Saquon Barkley ripped off an 18-yard run, the Giants dictated the pace and physicality of the contest. Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart showed poise beyond his years, while the Eagles’ offense sputtered after a promising first half, committing turnovers and failing to sustain drives.
The loss marks Philadelphia’s second defeat in just five days, following their collapse against the Denver Broncos, and raises urgent questions about whether this year’s team can truly replicate the dominance of its 2023 and 2024 campaigns.
Barkley Starts Fast, Eagles Stall
Barkley, who torched the Giants for 176 yards last season while wearing an Eagles uniform, made an immediate impact against his old team. On the game’s first two plays, he churned out 31 yards on the ground, setting up a tone the Giants never relinquished.
Though his final stat line — 58 yards on 12 carries — looked modest, Barkley’s early burst gave New York momentum and forced the Eagles to adjust defensively. That adjustment, however, came at a cost. The secondary struggled to contain wide receivers, while rookie running back Cam Skattebo exploited gaps, finishing with 98 yards, including 79 after contact.
Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s once-vaunted rushing attack continued to look stale. The “tush push,” long considered automatic, required four attempts just to net three yards and one touchdown. Outside of Jalen Hurts’ scrambling, the ground game never found rhythm.
A Tale of Two Halves for Jalen Hurts
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts played efficiently in the first half, completing 15 of 18 passes for 145 yards, a touchdown, and a rushing score. His connection with wide receiver A.J. Brown appeared sharp, as Brown hauled in six receptions for 80 yards.
But the momentum disappeared after halftime. Philadelphia’s drives went punt, punt, punt, interception, fumble — a disastrous stretch that resulted in only seven first downs. Hurts finished with 24 completions on 33 attempts, but his late-game interception sealed the Eagles’ fate.
Head coach Nick Sirianni admitted afterward that offensive execution “fell apart at critical moments,” a theme that has haunted Philadelphia in back-to-back games.
Giants’ Defense Makes a Statement
While much of the spotlight fell on the Eagles’ struggles, credit must go to a Giants defense that swarmed the pocket and shut down Philadelphia’s options in the second half.
New York recorded only two sacks, but constant pressure forced hurried throws and poor decisions. Rookie cornerbacks disrupted passing lanes, while the linebackers contained Hurts on designed runs. Even with injuries piling up — Quinyon Mitchell exited early with a hamstring issue — the Giants defense held strong.
“It was about discipline and energy,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said. “We knew if we could disrupt their rhythm, we had a chance. Our young guys stepped up big.”
Warning Signs for the Eagles
Perhaps the most alarming trend for Philadelphia is how quickly they’ve gone from dominant to disorganized. Just two weeks ago, the Eagles were 4-0, boasting the league’s most feared offensive line and a defense ranked top five in efficiency.
Now, injuries and miscommunication are eroding that foundation. Star rookie lineman Jalen Carter was ruled out before kickoff, and his absence showed. The pass rush lacked its usual bite, allowing Dart time to extend plays. The offense, meanwhile, looks predictable, with defenses keying in on Hurts and Barkley.
Veteran wideout A.J. Brown, when asked about internal team meetings, sidestepped questions, repeating, “I do not recall.” Such cryptic comments only add to speculation about locker room frustration.
Looking Ahead
For the Giants, Thursday’s victory could mark a turning point in a season that began with skepticism about a rookie quarterback leading the offense. Jaxson Dart not only protected the ball but orchestrated drives with maturity, while the defense proved it can punch above expectations.
For the Eagles, however, the loss underscores a reality check. With a long season ahead, they must rediscover their offensive identity and regain defensive cohesion — or risk falling behind in a competitive NFC East.
“We’ve got to get back to who we are,” Hurts said postgame. “That’s tough, physical football. Tonight, we didn’t deliver that.”
As the NFL season progresses, the question remains: are the Eagles simply hitting an early slump, or has the league finally found the blueprint to bring down the defending NFC champs?
