Rookie Sensations and Saquon Barkley Headlines as Giants Stun Eagles 34-17 in Rivalry Showdown

Just one month ago, the Philadelphia Eagles stood tall as the reigning Super Bowl 59 champions, the class of the NFL, while the New York Giants were buried beneath grim projections and the league’s toughest 2025 schedule. Fast forward to Thursday night at MetLife Stadium, and the storylines could not have flipped more dramatically.

Behind breakout performances from their rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart and rookie running back Cam Skattebo, the Giants delivered one of their most impressive wins in years — a 34-17 upset over the Eagles in Week 6, handing Philadelphia consecutive losses for the first time since 2023.

The victory didn’t just shake up the NFC East standings — it sent a clear message: the Giants are done being anyone’s underdog.

“We’re young, we’re hungry, and we’re coming for every inch,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said postgame. “Tonight wasn’t about revenge — it was about belief.”

A Rivalry Rekindled

Once one of the NFL’s fiercest feuds, the Giants–Eagles rivalry had cooled in recent years. Philadelphia’s championship pedigree and New York’s rebuilding struggles had turned their clashes into one-sided affairs. But Thursday night may have reignited the fire between these two NFC East powers.

For the first time in years, the Giants not only competed with the Eagles — they dominated them. From the opening whistle, New York’s defense brought relentless energy, while its young offense executed with poise and precision.

The rematch is already circled on calendars: the Giants will visit Lincoln Financial Field in Week 8, where Philadelphia will surely be out for redemption.

The Rise of the Rookie Duo

Few could have predicted that the Giants’ resurgence would be led by two rookies barely six games into their NFL careers.

Jaxson Dart, the first-round quarterback from Ole Miss, was calm and efficient under pressure. He completed 17 of 25 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown, while adding 58 rushing yards and another score on the ground. Dart’s command of the huddle and ability to extend plays gave the Giants offense a spark they’ve lacked in years.

Right alongside him was Cam Skattebo, the fourth-round pick out of Arizona State who ran with power, balance, and swagger. Skattebo carried the ball 19 times for 98 yards and three touchdowns, shredding the vaunted Eagles front seven.

Incredibly, after combining for four turnovers in last week’s loss to the Saints, Dart and Skattebo played turnover-free football against one of the league’s most aggressive defenses.

“They played fearless,” said veteran receiver Darius Slayton. “You could feel their confidence growing every drive. That energy spread through the whole team.”

When Dart and Skattebo joined Prime Video’s postgame set, their chemistry was on full display — two rookies soaking in the moment, but already sounding like seasoned pros.

The Tush Push Lives On

Even in defeat, the Eagles stayed true to their signature play — the infamous “Tush Push.” It remains one of the most unstoppable formations in football, and Philadelphia leaned on it heavily in the red zone.

During the second quarter, the Eagles used the formation on four consecutive plays from the 3-yard line to punch in their first touchdown. They even unveiled a new variation — faking the push before tossing a short pass to tight end Dallas Goedert for a 3-yard touchdown earlier in the game.

Still, the familiar play wasn’t enough to spark the overall offense, which looked uncharacteristically flat for much of the night.

Brian Burns Brings the Heat

On defense, Brian Burns was everywhere. The Giants’ star pass rusher recorded two sacks, matching his career high and consistently collapsing the pocket on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.

“Burns was a game-wrecker,” Daboll said. “He set the tone from the first drive and never let up.”

The Giants’ defensive front harassed Hurts all night, forcing hurried throws and stalling drives that once came easily to Philadelphia’s potent offense.

Saquon Barkley: Both Winner and Loser

The night was an emotional one for Saquon Barkley, who returned to face his former team for the first time since leaving New York in free agency.

On the game’s first play from scrimmage, Barkley reminded fans of his explosiveness, breaking off an 18-yard run, his longest of the season. He later made a touchdown-saving tackle after a Hurts interception — though the Giants scored moments later anyway.

And if that wasn’t enough, Prime Video aired its brand-new documentary, “SAQUON,” chronicling his journey from Giants icon to Eagles star.

Still, Barkley’s homecoming ended in frustration. He finished with just 58 yards on the ground, well below his usual standard. After leading the NFL with 2,005 rushing yards in 2024, Barkley is now on pace for under 1,000 — a far cry from his MVP-level production last season.

“It’s frustrating, but I’m not panicking,” Barkley told reporters. “We’ll get it fixed.”

The Eagles’ Struggles Continue

The defending champions looked disjointed from the start. Without defensive tackle Jalen Carter (heel) and cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (hamstring), their defense allowed a season-high 34 points and nearly 400 total yards.

Hurts’ decision-making was also shaky. He missed a wide-open DeVonta Smith on what could have been an 89-yard touchdown, and later threw his first interception in 305 regular-season attempts — snapped by Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott.

It was a backbreaking mistake that sealed the game for New York.

Meanwhile, AJ Dillon, Barkley’s backup, committed two costly turnovers late — a muffed kickoff and a fumble that ended any hopes of an Eagles comeback.

To make matters worse, A.J. Brown’s postgame comments about his “private” meeting with Hurts and Barkley only added to the growing noise around Philadelphia’s locker room chemistry.

The frustration was palpable. “We just didn’t execute,” Hurts said. “That’s on me. I have to be better.”

Looking Ahead

For the Giants, this win marks a defining moment in their rebuild — a statement that they can stand toe-to-toe with the league’s elite. With Dart and Skattebo leading the charge, and a defense that’s rediscovered its bite, the G-Men suddenly look like a legitimate NFC playoff threat.

For the Eagles, it’s back to the drawing board. Injuries, miscommunication, and uncharacteristic mistakes have turned the defending champs into a team searching for answers. The Week 8 rematch could be season-defining for both squads.

“It’s one win,” Daboll reminded his team. “But it’s the kind that shows you who you really are.”

‍