The New York Giants (4-2-1) and Philadelphia Eagles (2-6) will square off on Sunday afternoon in a Week 9 matchup at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Opening the week, the Giants were listed as 3-point road favorites, and that's where the line currently remains despite briefly moving to -3.5 mid-week.
With this matchup on tap, Giants Wire took the opportunity to hold a Q&A with Eagles Wire managing editor Glenn Erby.
The Eagles have turned to Joe Milton III after benching Tanner McKee. What went into that decision, and what should Giants fans expect from Milton in his first start?
Erby: The Eagles needed a spark, and after three straight losses with Tanner McKee under center, Nick Sirianni decided he couldn’t keep doing the same thing and expect different results. It wouldn’t be shocking to learn that Chairman Jeffrey Lurie and GM Howie Roseman also had a say and wanted to see what they
had in Milton. McKee completed 72 of 114 passes (63.2%) for 638 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions in three starts; Philadelphia’s offense averaged just 15 points per game during that stretch. The final straw was Sunday’s 27-10 loss to Washington, when the Eagles jumped out to a 10-0 lead before going scoreless over the final three quarters.
Milton gives Philadelphia something McKee couldn’t consistently provide: Mobility, the ability to extend plays, and a powerful arm that can stretch defenses vertically. The 6-foot-5 quarterback has completed 37 of 53 career passes (69.8%) for 424 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. In extended action for New England during the 2024 season finale, Milton completed 22 of 29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown while adding another score on the ground.
The challenge is that Milton has been with Philadelphia for less than a month, and he’ll face a Giants defense ranked third against the pass. Expect Sean Mannion to incorporate designed movement, play-action, and opportunities for Milton to attack downfield. His athleticism can create problems, but accuracy, timing, and recognizing pressure remain concerns. It’s a high-risk, high-upside move for an Eagles offense desperate for explosive plays.
Philadelphia is averaging just 17.1 points and 265.3 total yards per game, ranking near the bottom of the NFL in both categories. Is this primarily a quarterback problem, an offensive scheme problem, or a broader personnel issue?
It’s a combination of all three, but the offensive scheme and lack of consistency up front are at the center of Philadelphia’s struggles. The Eagles are averaging 17.1 points per game, ranking 29th, while their 265.3 yards per game rank last in the NFL. They’re producing just 88.1 rushing yards per game despite having Saquon Barkley, and their 37.3% third-down conversion rate has made it hard to sustain drives. The offense has also failed to exceed 341 total yards in any game this season.
What’s fascinating is that Philadelphia ranks fourth in red-zone touchdown efficiency at 71.4%, converting 15 of 21 opportunities. That tells you the Eagles can finish drives when they get inside the 20-yard line. The problem is getting there consistently. They’re averaging just 2.6 red-zone trips per game, and the lack of explosive plays, consistent blocking, and offensive rhythm has put enormous pressure on the quarterback position.
Losing Lane Johnson to retirement, trading Cam Jurgens, and dealing with injuries to Barkley and DeVonta Smith haven’t helped. Sean Mannion is still trying to establish an offensive identity, and the running game hasn’t provided the balance needed to protect whoever is under center. McKee certainly deserves criticism, but changing quarterbacks won’t automatically correct an offense dealing with protection issues, questionable execution, and an inconsistent approach. This is a systemwide problem that takes more than a new starting quarterback to fix.
How much urgency is there inside the Eagles’ locker room, and is there still a genuine belief that this team can salvage its season?
There’s urgency because the Eagles understand that another loss could effectively end any realistic hopes of competing for the NFC East title. Philadelphia is 2-6, riding a six-game losing streak, and has been outscored 202-137 through eight games. This franchise is accustomed to competing for championships, and the current results are nowhere near the standard established under Nick Sirianni.
The biggest issue is that Philadelphia hasn’t shown it can sustain winning football for four quarters. The Eagles have averaged just 244 yards per game during their six-game losing streak, and Sunday’s loss to Washington illustrated the larger problem. They opened with a 10-0 advantage before allowing the Commanders to score 27 unanswered points. Those collapses raise questions about execution, coaching adjustments, and whether the offense can consistently complement the defense.
I believe there’s still enough veteran leadership and individual talent in that locker room to keep the team competing, but belief and actual in-game production are two different things. The Eagles can’t sell hope without results. They’re facing a Giants team sitting atop the division at 4-2-1, and a victory Sunday would give Philadelphia something positive heading into its Week 10 bye. Now, the Eagles need to stop discussing potential and start producing results. The urgency is real because the margin for error has essentially disappeared.
Lane Johnson’s retirement has created a significant hole at right tackle, with rookie Markel Bell expected to step into the role. How has Philadelphia adjusted without Johnson?
Replacing Lane Johnson was never going to be simple, and the Eagles are discovering just how much his presence meant to their offensive identity. Johnson wasn’t simply an elite pass protector. He was a cornerstone of Philadelphia’s running game, a stabilizing presence in protection and one of the most dependable players on the roster. His retirement forced the Eagles to accelerate the development of rookie Markel Bell, who is learning one of football’s most demanding positions under difficult circumstances.
Bell has intriguing physical tools, but there’s an enormous difference between having the size and athleticism to play right tackle and consistently executing against NFL edge rushers. Philadelphia has allowed 23 sacks through eight games, while the offense is averaging just 3.8 yards per rushing attempt. Those problems aren’t exclusively Bell’s responsibility, but the offensive line has struggled to generate the movement and protection that once made this group among the league’s best.
Jordan Mailata remains a high-level left tackle, but the Eagles are also adjusting to Drew Kendall at center following the Cam Jurgens trade, while Landon Dickerson has battled injuries. Tyler Steen provides continuity at right guard, but the communication and chemistry across the line remain work in progress.
Against New York, Philadelphia will need to be deliberate with protection, particularly against Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux. Expect additional help from tight ends, quicker throws, and opportunities to move Milton outside the pocket. Johnson’s absence has changed how opponents can attack Philadelphia, and it has exposed how much the Eagles relied on his ability to erase elite pass rushers without requiring extra help.
How do you see Sunday's game playing out? Who wins and what's the final score?
This is a difficult matchup for Philadelphia, especially with New York coming off its bye week and Harbaugh having more time to prepare. The Giants are 4-2-1, averaging 23.3 points and 346 yards per game, while the Eagles are producing just 17.1 points and 265.3 yards. New York’s defense ranks third against the pass, and its ability to pressure quarterbacks will be a major challenge for Milton in his first career NFL start.
The biggest question is whether Philadelphia can establish any semblance of a running game. Barkley has 274 rushing yards and two touchdowns this season, but he’s been dealing with hamstring and back injuries. Without a productive ground attack, the Eagles risk asking Milton to run an offense he’s still learning against an aggressive defense that can disguise pressure and force mistakes.
Philadelphia does have history on its side. The Giants haven’t won at Lincoln Financial Field since 2013, and the Eagles have won 16 of the last 20 meetings. I expect Milton to generate some excitement with his arm strength and mobility, and Philadelphia should benefit from playing at home. However, New York has been the more consistent football team, and Harbaugh’s preparation coming off a bye is another advantage.
I see the Eagles keeping it competitive early, and if they maintain offensive balance and protect the football, Philadelphia will make plays, sustain drives, and score consistently. I’m going with the home team in a must-win situation.
Prediction: Eagles 24, Giants 17.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles: Behind Enemy Lines
