Giants stun Eagles 34-17 on Thursday Night Football; Dart shines, Skattebo scores three
When Jaxson Dart, the quarterback of the New York Giants, took the snap at 8:20 PM EDT on October 9, 2025, nobody expected a blowout. Yet the Giants walked out of MetLife Stadium with a 34‑17 victory over defending champions the Philadelphia Eagles, turning a Thursday night contest into one of the season’s biggest upsets.
Game Overview
The matchup was billed as Thursday Night Football – Giants vs. EaglesMetLife Stadium, a prime‑time showcase that usually favors the higher‑seeded team. The Eagles entered with a 4‑2 record and the aura of a defending Super Bowl champion, while the Giants were a .500 club at 3‑3. Early on, New York’s offense imposed a relentless short‑yardage rhythm, largely thanks to the bruising power‑run of Cam Skattebo, the Giants’ running back.
By the end of the first quarter, the Giants led 10‑0, the first points coming from a 27‑yard Dart drive capped by a 3‑yard touchdown pass to Mikal Bridges. The Eagles finally answered in the second quarter, but a missed field goal and a sack by rookie defensive end Nolan Ward stalled momentum.
Key Performances
Dart’s stat line—310 passing yards, two touchdowns, and a passer rating of 115—was described by CBS Sports as "by far the best game of his career." He kept the tempo high, delivering seven‑yard gains on more than half of his dropbacks, a detail highlighted in an instant analysis by Dan Salomone, Senior Managing Editor of Giants.com. Those midsize chunks sustained long drives that wore down the Eagles’ defense.
Skattebo, on the other hand, turned the short‑yardage grind into a scoring avalanche. He punched in three goal‑line scores—two from the 1‑yard line and one from the 2‑yard line. The third touchdown sparked a brief controversy: the on‑field official initially signaled "short," but a replay review confirmed the ball had broken the plane, prompting a celebratory roar from the Giants’ sideline. "That was a second‑effort play and the replay proved it," the broadcast team noted.
Defensively, cornerback Cor'dale Flott snagged a pivotal interception midway through the third quarter, returning it to the Eagles’ 30‑yard line. That set up a quick 7‑point surge, widening the lead to 24‑7.
Turning Points and Controversies
The biggest swing came after Skattebo’s second touchdown. On the next Eagles drive, tight end Dallas Goedert was targeted five times on first down, but none materialized. Eagles offensive coordinator Mike Groh later admitted the play‑calling was "too predictable" against a Giants secondary that was hitting hard at the line of scrimmage.
Later, a hard tackle by linebacker Patrick Johnson on Eagles running back Saquon Barkley—"that was a big hit," remarked on‑air analyst Kirk Herbstreit—helped keep Philadelphia out of the red zone. The Eagles ended the night with only 17 points, a stark contrast to their 28‑point average over the first six weeks.
Reactions from Coaches and Media
Giants head coach Brian Daboll praised his team’s discipline: "We executed our game plan in every phase. The short‑yardage series was the difference, and Cam delivered when it mattered." He also gave credit to the offensive line, noting that guard Andrew Thomas opened a lane on the third TD run.
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni was less sanguine. "We need to tighten up in the trenches and finish drives. The defense gave us too much room," he said in the post‑game press conference. Media outlets, from Bleeding Green Nation to ESPN, echoed the sentiment that the loss was a "bullying" display by New York and could signal deeper issues for Philadelphia’s championship defense.
Implications for Playoff Race
With the win, the Giants evened their record at 3‑3, breathing new life into a division that has been a roller coaster all season. Statistically, their points‑per‑game average jumped to 27.6, matching the league’s top‑five offenses. For the Eagles, the defeat drops them to 4‑2, tightening the NFC East race and raising questions about whether they can sustain a repeat championship run.
Looking ahead, the Giants host the Washington Commanders next Sunday, a game that could solidify their climb. The Eagles, meanwhile, travel to Dallas for a crucial Monday Night Football showdown that may force them to re‑evaluate their offensive scheme.
Historical Context
The last time the Giants beat the Eagles by three touchdowns in the regular season was back in 2016, when Eli Manning’s late‑season surge helped New York clinch a playoff berth. That win, like today’s, came on the backs of a strong running game and opportunistic defense. The pattern suggests that when New York can dictate the line of scrimmage, the Eagles struggle to adapt.
- Final score: Giants 34, Eagles 17
- Key player: Cam Skattebo – three rushing TDs
- Quarterback performance: Jaxson Dart – 310 yards, 2 TDs
- Turnover margin: Giants +1 (Flott interception)
- Implications: Giants improve to 3‑3; Eagles fall to 4‑2
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect the Giants' playoff chances?
The victory lifts New York to a .500 record (3‑3) and puts them within a game of the NFC East lead. A strong finish could secure a wild‑card berth, especially if they continue winning against divisional rivals.
What adjustments do the Eagles need to make on defense?
Philadelphia must improve gap discipline against the run and tighten coverage on short routes. The loss exposed a susceptibility to goal‑line power runs like Skattebo’s, so a more aggressive front seven will be essential.
Why were Cam Skattebo's three touchdowns so pivotal?
All three scores came in the red‑zone, turning what could have been field‑goal attempts into six‑point swings. The replay‑confirmed third TD also showcased the Giants’ willingness to fight for every inch, energizing both the squad and the home crowd.
When is the next meeting between the two teams?
The Giants and Eagles will face each other again in Week 13, slated for December 6, 2025, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. That game could be a playoff‑position tiebreaker.
Who were the key broadcasters for the game?
The national telecast featured legendary play‑by‑play announcer Al Michaels alongside analyst Kirk Herbstreit. Their commentary highlighted the pivotal interceptions and the controversial replay review.
- Oct, 10 2025
- Kendrick O'Sullivan
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Written by Kendrick O'Sullivan
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