It felt like it took forever for the NFL season to arrive, and now, look... It's basically halfway over. It's Week 9, and the Philadelphia Eagles don't need another game in which the quarterback spends more time dealing with pressure than attacking the opposing defense.
At 2-6, Philadelphia has reached a point where every Sunday feels like an examination of how much this team can still salvage from a disappointing season. A matchup with the New York Giantsoffers an opportunity to change the mood, but the Eagles won't get there by relying on familiar names or expecting things to suddenly fall into place.
Joe Milton gets his first opportunity to help change the trajectory, while the defense faces a quarterback who has given the Giants some unexpected
momentum. Philadelphia has enough talent to win this game, but talent alone hasn't been enough lately. Here are five keys that could determine whether the Eagles finally give their fans something to celebrate. It's Eagles vs. Giants, and when these two meet, records are often thrown out the window.
Jalen Carter has to generate consistent interior pressure?
There may not be a more frustrating player on Philadelphia's roster than Jalen Carter, but that's largely because of his potential. He can look like one of the best defensive tackles in football one week and disappear for stretches in the next.
The talent isn't in question. The consistency is. The Eagles need the disruptive version of Carter against New York. His ability to collapse the pocket from the interior can create problems for a quarterback who has shown plenty of confidence throwing downfield.
A dominant Carter can also force the Giants to commit additional resources to the middle of their offensive line, creating opportunities for Philadelphia's edge rushers. It won't be easy. Per Pro Football Focus, he has certainly flashed statistically against the pass rush.
Highest pass block win rate among rookie OL in Week 7
— PFF (@PFF) October 26, 2026
Francis Mauigoa 100%
Spencer Fano 92.1%
Max Iheanachor 88.2%
Monroe Freeling 86.4%
Kadyn Proctor 84.6% pic.twitter.com/qtHPthuTva
Carter showed life against the Washington Commanders, recording a sack, but one productive afternoon isn't enough to answer the bigger question. Motivated Jalen Carter is a player the Eagles can build their defensive front around. They need that player to show up Sunday.
Saquon Barkley needs a productive workload
A hamstring injury is difficult enough for a running back to overcome. Add a back injury to the equation, and Philadelphia has a legitimate reason to be cautious or even worried.
His availability matters, but so does his ability to handle a workload that can actually influence the game. Barkley has tormented his former team before, and a matchup against New York naturally offers some extra motivation.
More importantly, the Eagles need a dependable running game to take pressure off their quarterback. Their struggles on the ground have contributed to an offense that consistently finds itself in unfavorable situations.
If Barkley is healthy enough to contribute, his presence could change the way the Giants approach Philadelphia's offense. But the Eagles shouldn't confuse having him available with having him ready to carry the entire rushing attack. His effectiveness will matter more than his name on the lineup card.
Vic Fangio must frustrate a suddenly white-hot J.J. McCarthy
J.J. McCarthy has given the Giants a reason to feel optimistic about their quarterback situation. He's thrown for at least 240 yards in each of his first two appearances and posted a passer rating of at least 90.0 in both games. That's enough production to demand Philadelphia's attention. The challenge for Vic Fangio is making sure McCarthy doesn't become comfortable.
New York's QB1 of the moment has shown that he can use his arm talent and mobility to create opportunities, but the Eagles need to make him process the game under pressure. Changing coverages, disguising pressure, and forcing him to work through progressions could disrupt the rhythm he's begun to establish.
Fangio doesn't necessarily need to blitz relentlessly to accomplish that (and he probably won't). He needs to make McCarthy uncomfortable, take away his preferred options, and force him to prove he can consistently beat a defense that knows where the pressure is coming from. Allowing him to settle into another productive afternoon would be a costly mistake.
Sean Mannion can't put Joe Milton in position to be overwhelmed by the Giants' blitz
The Giants have been aggressive defensively, with a blitz rate at 40.3% so far this season. That creates an obvious challenge for Joe Milton, particularly considering Philadelphia's problems protecting its quarterbacks. Per NBC Sports' Dave Zangaro, the Eagles have faced 109 blitzes this season and have surrendered 66 pressures, a 60.6% pressure rate that ranks worst in the league.
But there's another side to that equation. Milton has the arm strength to attack the space created when defenders vacate their coverage responsibilities. He also brings more mobility than Tanner McKee, which could give Philadelphia another way to punish an overly aggressive pass rush.
Dennard Wilson loves to send extra pressure. Philadelphia needs to make him pay for it rather than letting the Giants dictate the terms of the passing game. A few successful throws against the blitz could force Wilson to reconsider how aggressively he attacks.
Can the Eagles' run defense keep the Giants' rushing attack in check?
We've watched Saquon Barkley dominate the Giants before, and it may have slipped our minds that this Eagles team can allow New York to give Philadelphia some of its own medicine. The Giants could have a significant advantage if they can establish their running game, an Achilles' heel that has shown up with the Eagles' defense constantly.
Cam Skattebo is still recovering from a hamstring injury. John Harbaugh has left the door open for him to play as a game-time decision, but he hasn't practiced, which may mean Devin Singletary will carry the bulk of the workload.
Philadelphia has allowed 131.9 yards per game on the ground through eight weeks of the season, but if they can cure that and make the Giants one-dimensional, their chances of winning improve exponentially.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: Eagles vs. Giants: 5 keys to a Philadelphia victory in Week 9
