The Eagles’ report card from Sunday looks like two different games. Their defense consistently disrupted the Giants, while their offense struggled to produce even modest gains consistently. Philadelphia lost 19-11, falling to 2-7 entering its bye. Six sacks and strong run defense kept the game competitive, but seven sacks allowed and one touchdown prevented the Eagles from ending their losing streak. Here are the unit grades.
Quarterback: C-minus
Joe Milton completed 18 of 34 passes for 169 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. His 64 rushing yards and two-point conversion supplied meaningful production, but a lost fumble damaged Philadelphia’s opportunity to extend its lead. The protection problems complicated his debut. Still, the passing game did not generate
enough consistent offense, and the final result left substantial room for improvement.
Running backs: D
Saquon Barkley scored Philadelphia’s touchdown but gained 22 yards on 13 carries. Elijah Mitchell added six yards on three attempts. Blocking issues contributed, but the group produced too little to support an inexperienced starter. Milton accounted for most of the team’s rushing production.
Receivers and tight ends: C-minus
Makai Lemon caught six passes for 61 yards, and Dallas Goedert added five for 50. They provided Philadelphia’s most dependable receiving production. Darius Cooper caught two passes for 25 yards on eight targets. The passing game lacked explosive gains, with Milton’s longest completion covering 20 yards.
Offensive line and protection: F
The Giants finished with seven sacks and 11 quarterback hits. Philadelphia also struggled to create rushing lanes for its backs. Sack responsibility requires individual film review, but the overall protection result was poor enough to derail the offense repeatedly.
Defensive front: A-minus
Philadelphia recorded six sacks and held New York to 80 rushing yards on 31 attempts. Carter, Davis, Greenard, and Nolan Smith each reached the quarterback.
The front produced the disruption the Eagles needed to stay in the game.
Linebackers: A-minus
Baun recorded two sacks and three tackles for loss before his back injury cut the afternoon short. Trotter added 11 tackles and three tackles for loss.
Their production helped control the running game and generate negative plays.
Secondary: B-minus
Malik Nabers finished with five catches for 43 yards, and New York did not overwhelm Philadelphia through the air. The touchdown to Isaiah Likely, however, exposed a costly red-zone coverage failure.
Special teams: C
Mann’s 86-yard punt and Underwood’s recovery were positives. A minus-2-yard punt and an early coverage penalty pulled the grade down.
Coaching: D
The defense was prepared, but the offense failed to sustain production after its early touchdown. The quarterback change didn't produce a functional plan, and the failed fourth-and-short attempt added another situational concern.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles-Giants grades: Defense earns credit, offense fails another test
