The Philadelphia Eagles capped off their regular season with a gritty 20-13 victory over the New York Giants, tying their franchise record with 14 wins. With the No. 2 seed already locked up, head coach Nick Sirianni turned to backups to avoid risking injuries ahead of the playoffs. The plan worked, as third-string quarterback Tanner McKee shined, and Philadelphia kept its momentum heading into the postseason.
Game Recap: Backup Brilliance
The Eagles showcased their depth as they rested their starters:
- Tanner McKee: The rookie quarterback impressed, completing 75.9% of his passes for 241 yards and two touchdowns, including scoring strikes to Ainias Smith and E.J. Jenkins. McKee has now thrown three touchdowns on just 11 career pass attempts.
- Ainias Smith and E.J. Jenkins: Both rookies caught their first career touchdown passes, with Smith contributing 35 yards on four catches.
- Dallas Goedert: Played sparingly but proved playoff-ready with four catches for 55 yards in the first quarter.
The defense sealed the win when Sydney Brown intercepted a pass with 24 seconds left, a fitting end to a season hampered by injuries for the safety.
Key Moments
The turning point came in the fourth quarter when Giants penalties gifted the Eagles critical first downs:
- Boogie Basham’s offsides and Kayvon Thibodeaux’s roughing the passer extended the Eagles’ drive, allowing them to burn the clock and kick a field goal for a 20-13 lead.
Standout Performers
- Tanner McKee: Showed poise and accuracy, proving to be a reliable third option under center.
- Kelee Ringo: Excelled on special teams and defense, making four tackles and a key stop on a 59-yard punt.
- Jeremiah Trotter and Oren Burks: The backup linebackers led the team with 17 and 11 tackles, respectively.
- Isaiah Rodgers: A 51-yard kickoff return showcased his explosiveness and set up the Eagles with great field position.
Areas of Concern
Despite the win, some issues linger as the Eagles head into the playoffs:
- Jake Elliott’s Inconsistency: The kicker missed a 39-yard field goal, raising concerns about his reliability in critical moments.
- Braden Mann’s Struggles: The punter struggled with both punts and kickoffs, including a 23-yard net punt and a kickoff out of bounds.
- Offensive Line Depth: The backups struggled, leading to just 51 rushing yards and disrupting the rhythm with high snaps.
Looking Ahead: Green Bay in Wild Card
The Eagles will now host the Green Bay Packers in the Wild Card round, with the day and time to be determined. Despite resting key starters, the team demonstrated depth and resilience, key factors as they prepare for a playoff run.
Philadelphia’s 14-3 finish marks the second time in three seasons under Nick Sirianni that the Eagles have reached this milestone. Now, all eyes are on whether they can translate this regular-season success into a deep playoff run.
