For the first time since 2013, the Giants went into Philadelphia and came out a winner. Although it wasn’t their cleanest performance, they beat the Eagles 19-11. Throughout the game, something just seemed off for the Giants. The offense seemed lost in every aspect. The offensive line had its worst performance of the season, allowing six sacks and nine quarterback hits. This made JJ McCarthy unconfident in the pocket, leading to many poor decisions. They were also missing Cam Skattebo, which made the run game nonexistent.
The only reason why the Giants remained competitive in this game was their defense. Outside of the Eagles’ one scoring drive, set up by a Deonte Banks pass interference that put them on the goal line, the defense played lights out. Seven of the Eagles’ 13 drives lasted less than five plays. They also were able to sack Joe Milton seven times. It is the best that the defense has looked all season. It masked their offensive issues and helped them win in the end. Here are the other major takeaways.
Arvell Reese: The Game Wrecker
So far this season, Arvell Reese has been better than any fan could have expected. He has made an impact in every game he has been in this season. He looks like a budding superstar and someone the Giants can build their defense around. But his best performance yet came against the Eagles. He led the team with 12 tackles, 10 of which were solo, and had three sacks. One of those sacks was a big hit on Milton that forced him to fumble, giving the Giants the ball at midfield. It’s a hit that will be on highlight reels for years.
Without Reese, the Giants’ defense would not have been nearly as effective. Many of the Eagles’ problems stemmed from Reese making big plays. This performance quieted concerns about Reese taking a step back without Tremaine Edmunds. Some worried that, trusted with the main inside linebacker role, he might have taken a step back. But that is clearly not the case, because if anything, he has gotten better without Edmunds. We are watching the beginning of something special.
Micah McFadden Has Been a Perfect Replacement
Micah McFadden tenure with the Giants has been a bit up and down. He has had seasons where he looked to be a solid inside linebacker. However, after tearing his ACL at the start of last season, many felt he was no longer a reliable starter. That’s why they brought in Edmunds and only re-signed McFadden to a one-year deal. The thought was that he’d be a solid depth piece and do well with limited action. But with Edmunds being out for the season, McFadden was thrown back into starting duties.
But in the two games he’s played since becoming the starter, he’s exceeded expectations. Two weeks ago against the Texans, he recorded 10 tackles, all of which were solos, and registered three stuffs. Against the Eagles, he had nine tackles, five for solos, one sack, and a fumble recovery. He has done a fantastic job at filling in for Edmunds, picking up right where he left off. If he can maintain this level of play, along with how Reese has performed, the Giants’ linebacking corps will be the best it’s been in years.
Dominic Zvada Redemption Game
Dominic Zvada has had a rollercoaster season. In his first seven games in the NFL, he has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Over the first four games of the season, he made all nine field goals he attempted. He was also perfect on extra points. However, since Week five against the Commanders, he has struggled. He has gone four for nine on field-goal attempts. Sure, some of this was because of poor weather conditions, but that does not excuse his struggles. It makes many feel the Giants should move on from him.
But John Harbaugh kept Zvada around, and the gamble paid off for the Giants. Against the Eagles, he was perfect on all four field goal attempts. These were not chip-shot field goals either, with three of them coming from beyond 40 yards. This is the kind of performance Zvada desperately needed. It can give him confidence and show he can make it in the NFL. It will also give the Giants a kicker they can finally rely on. The Giants have been missing that for years, and it can help them finish more drives with points.
