The Philadelphia Eagles have owned this rivalry lately. They have won eight of the past 10 meetings and continue to hold the all-time series advantage, 96-89-2, including the postseason. History, however, has a funny way of becoming irrelevant once the ball is kicked off.
Divisional games rarely follow the script, and the Giants have spent the past two offseasons trying to reshape their defense through premium draft picks and established veterans. While last season's results left plenty to be desired, there are enough intriguing pieces on this roster to command Philadelphia's full attention. After all, New York did sneak up on them in primetime last season.
Here are several defensive trends the Eagles should keep in mind when preparing for New
York. To make long stories short, this is a unit that can be formidable if it can ever get out of its own way.
The overall numbers leave room for improvement.
Let's begin with the obvious. Statistically, the Giants weren't one of the NFL's better defenses in 2025. They tied for 15th with 39 sacks, ranked 17th in quarterback pressure rate at 34.1 percent, and finished 25th in red-zone defense,
They surrendered a 94.3 passer rating (22nd) and allowed 25.8 points per game (26th). They gave up the league's 28th-most yards and tied for 23rd with only nine interceptions.
Those numbers explain why New York enters another season searching for answers. They also explain why the Giants continue investing heavily in defensive talent.
Brian Burns remains the biggest problem.
If there's one Giant capable of wrecking a game by himself, it's Brian Burns. The veteran edge rusher finished last season with 16.5 sacks, which would have led the league if not for some guy named Myles Garrett.
Burns added 31 quarterback hits, the fourth-most among all defenders, earning him Pro Bowl honors and Second-Team All-Pro recognition. Perhaps even more impressive is the consistency.
Burns has now produced at least 7.5 sacks in seven consecutive seasons. Philadelphia's offensive tackles have handled elite pass rushers before, but Burns is the type of player who demands attention on every snap.
The Giants continue betting on defensive talent.
For all of New York's struggles, one thing has been clear. The front office hasn't stopped investing. The Giants have made four first-round selections over the past two drafts, with half of those picks devoted to the defensive side of the ball.
This spring, they selected linebacker Arvell Reese fifth overall and defensive tackle Francis Mauigoa 10th overall after adding edge rusher Abdul Carter and Jaxson Dart the previous year. Premium draft capital doesn't always guarantee immediate success. It does, however, increase the odds that young talent eventually develops into impact players. Philadelphia will have to account for that growing collection of first-round athletes.
Is another breakout waiting to happen?
Brian Burns has carried much of the pass-rushing load. The question is whether someone else is ready to join him. Former first-round picks Kayvon Thibodeaux and Abdul Carter combined for just 6.5 sacks and 32 quarterback hits last season, although Thibodeaux appeared in only 10 games.
Those totals don't necessarily tell the entire story. Young edge rushers often take time to reach their full potential, and health played a role in New York's uneven production. If either player takes a significant step forward, Burns suddenly becomes much more difficult to neutralize. That's something the Eagles will undoubtedly monitor.
Dru Phillips deserves more recognition.
The Giants' most underrated defender may not have been a first-round pick at all. Third-round selection Dru Phillips quietly pieced together an impressive campaign, finishing with 66 tackles, two interceptions, and 12 pass breakups while allowing an 89.1 passer rating when targeted.
He's the type of ascending young player who can quickly become one of the better nickel defenders in the division. At the same time, New York's secondary still has questions to answer. Tyler Nubin endured a difficult season in coverage, surrendering four touchdowns and allowing a 145.7 passer rating when targeted over 13 games.
That contrast illustrates where the Giants currently stand. There are legitimate building blocks throughout the defense. There are also vulnerabilities the Eagles will look to exploit. The Giants may not have fielded one of the NFL's best defenses last season, but they're no longer relying solely on potential.
Brian Burns has become one of football's premier edge rushers, young defenders continue entering the fold, and players like Dru Phillips are beginning to emerge as foundational pieces. The statistics suggest there's still plenty of work to do. The talent suggests Philadelphia would be wise not to overlook its long-time foe.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Giants defensive weaknesses the Eagles can exploit in 2026
