Eagles report card: Grading the Birds’ big win over Giants

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles routed the Giants 38–20 Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, heading into their bye week with their cleanest, most balanced performance of the season. Here’s how they graded out by position group.

Quarterback: A-

Jalen Hurts didn’t have to air it out — he had to be sharp. And he was. He went 15-of-20 for 179 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 141.5 passer rating, adding 22 rushing yards. He handled protection checks at the line, especially on heavy run looks, and consistently kept the offense ahead of the sticks.

“When you’re able to run the ball efficiently like that, it kind of gives you a flow a bit,” Hurts said. “Proud of how we were able to make plays and win in the red zone and take advantage of those opportunities there, too.

“I enjoy being under center and being able to complement things within our run game and find a flow. Ultimately, it’s about leveraging what we do — and we’re starting to build off it.”

Four sacks keep him short of perfect, and he caught a break when a tush-push fumble was negated after an early forward-progress whistle, but Hurts was in complete command.

Running back: A+

The Birds had two backs crack the century mark. Saquon Barkley popped a 65-yard touchdown on his first carry and finished with 14 attempts for 150 yards (10.7 per) plus a receiving score. Tank Bigsby, acquired in September and had mostly played on special teams, added nine carries for 104 yards, closing out the game with punishing runs. Hurts’ efficiency opened up lanes, but the backs made them count.

Barkley’s groin tweak is something to monitor during the bye, but this was vintage power-and-speed football. Coach Nick Sirianni credited the group effort up front and in space:

“Anytime you rush for that many yards, it takes everybody,” Sirianni said. “The O-line played awesome. Backs ran hard. Receivers were blocking downfield. Tight ends did a good job against really good edge guys. A great team effort to be able to rush for that many yards.”

Wide receiver: A-

No A.J. Brown didn’t mean no production. DeVonta Smith paced the group with six catches for 84 yards. Jahan Dotson caught the dagger — a 40-yard touchdown.

“It’s definitely a different rhythm without A.J.,” Hurts said. “But those guys came in, stepped up and made big-time plays when their number was called.”

Tight end: A

Dallas Goedert posted 3 catches for 28 yards and two touchdowns, flashing his value in the red zone and as a blocker. Hurts called him “a hell of a player” who’s “due” for those kinds of moments. This was one of his most efficient games of the season.

Offensive line: A-

Being without center Cam Jurgens (knee) wasn’t much of a problem, either, as Brett Toth stepped in. The Eagles ran for 276 yards on 33 carries (8.4 per) and owned the line of scrimmage for most of the afternoon. Toth anchored in the middle, and the group’s double teams and combos paved the way. The four sacks allowed were the lone blemish.

“We came out and did some different things we hadn’t done before,” Hurts said. “Those guys up front played their tails off.”

Defensive line: A-

The front dominated rookie QB Jaxson Dart, finishing with five sacks and seven tackles for loss. The Giants managed only 68 rushing yards on 21 attempts. Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter led an interior surge that dictated down and distance, letting Vic Fangio’s pass-rush plan hum.

“That was a big emphasis,” Sirianni said. “We did a good job of getting pressure, but we also did a really good job in the secondary covering and matching routes where it made them hold the ball a little bit.”

Linebacker: B+

Zack Baun and the second level were active and aggressive. Baun registered a sack and multiple stops behind the line. Checkdowns were contained, and blitz timing was solid. A couple of late-drive leaks kept the group just shy of an A.

Cornerback: B

No costly explosives allowed, no major busts. The Giants’ longest completion went 34 yards, and the coverage was tight behind a dominant rush. This was the kind of clean, efficient day the Eagles have been chasing on the back end.

Safety: B+

Disciplined and assignment-sound. The Giants never found consistent seams over the middle, and Jaxson Dart’s scramble windows were limited. No turnovers, but plenty of clean fits and angles.

Special teams: B

Jake Elliott was 5-for-5 on PATs and hit a field goal from 40 yards, but he missed another. Will Shipley averaged 33 yards on three returns, with a long of 41. Coverage units had some lapses, but nothing too detrimental.

Coaching: A

This was as balanced as it gets. The Eagles leaned on their run game, exploited a banged-up secondary, and dictated terms up front. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo’s under-center looks and personnel wrinkles opened space, while Fangio’s defense executed the containment plan.

“Pass game was efficient. Run game was super explosive,” Sirianni said. “This was a good team win that took everybody.”

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Follow Christiaan DeFranco on X at @the_defranc.