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Instant Analysis: Giants fall to Eagles, 33-25

FINAL-SCORE-EAGLES

AT A GLANCE

A 76-yard pick-six by Adoree' Jackson brought the Giants to within two points of the Eagles heading into the fourth quarter. A 69-yard touchdown pass from backup Tyrod Taylor to Darius Slayton made it a five-point game with 5:22 to play. But Philadelphia pulled away each time, holding on for a 33-25 victory that came down to the final play.

UP NEXT

After concluding their 2023 road schedule, the Giants (5-10) will play their last two games at home against the Rams (8-7) and then the Eagles (11-4) again in the regular-season finale.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE OFFENSE

The Giants got one offensive tackle back this week but lost another. Matt Peart was activated from injured reserve, while Evan Neal (ankle) was placed on it. Peart, a third-round draft choice in 2020, had not played since Week 5 in Miami due to a shoulder injury. He has appeared in 40 games across four seasons, including five at left tackle and one at right tackle. Neal hadn't played since Week 9.

Making his sixth consecutive start, undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito completed nine of 16 passes for 55 yards (3.4 yards per attempt) in the first half. Tyrod Taylor entered the game to start the second half and played the rest of the way.

After completing three of his first six passes for just 30 yards, Taylor connected with Darius Slayton on a 69-yard touchdown to bring the game back to within five points with 5:22 left in the game.

Saquon Barkley, who was held to 14 yards on nine carries last week in New Orleans, had 80 yards and a touchdown (in addition to a two-point conversion) on 23 attempts in Philadelphia. In the process, he surpassed Brandon Jacobs (5,087) into fourth place on the franchise's all-time rushing list. Next up is Joe Morris, who is third with 5,296 yards.

The Giants scored fewer than seven points in the first half for the 10th time this season (three points or fewer for the seventh time).

Tight end Daniel Bellinger was targeted a season-high five times, which he turned into four receptions for 43 yards.

Running back Gary Brightwell returned to practice this week, opening a 21-day window for the Giants to add him to the active roster. Brightwell has not played since Week 7 vs. Washington because of a hamstring issue. A sixth-round selection in 2021, Brightwell has amassed 256 yards from scrimmage with one rushing touchdown in 37 career games. He has also returned 26 kickoffs for 555 yards (21.3-yard average), all of which came in 2022.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE

Dexter Lawrence (hamstring) and A'Shawn Robinson (back) were listed as questionable heading into Monday, but both played. Rakeem Nunez-Roches, another interior defensive lineman, did not suit up due to a knee injury.

The Giants racked up six tackles for loss, including two by Lawrence and a shared sack between outside linebacker Jihad Ward and safety Xavier McKinney.

The Eagles entered Week 16 with a league-leading 72.7 percent conversion rate on fourth down. They were as good as advertised on Monday, converting two of two against the Giants. Philadelphia was seven of 12 on third down.

Philadelphia scored on its first three possessions – one field goal and two touchdowns, including a 37-yard catch-and-run by wide receiver DeVonta Smith. Jalen Hurts, who threw him the ball, scored earlier on a one-yard push into the end zone.

The Giants outscored the Eagles 15-0 in the third quarter, which included a 76-yard pick-six by cornerback Adoree' Jackson. With a successful two-point conversion, the Giants cut the deficit to 20-18 heading into the fourth quarter. Philadelphia, however, immediately responded with an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, stretching the lead back to two possessions.

The Giants elevated outside linebacker Tomon Fox from the practice squad.

View photos from the Giants' Week 16 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas Day.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS

Mason Crosby, who spent 16 seasons kicking for the Green Bay Packers, joined the roster Friday as Cade York became the third kicker to go on injured reserve. York was scheduled to make his Giants debut but suffered a quad injury in practice this week. He joined Graham Gano (knee surgery) and Randy Bullock (hamstring) on injured reserve.

In his first attempt in a different NFL uniform, Crosby made a 52-yard field goal midway through the first quarter.

After the Eagles forced a three-and-out on the opening drive of the game, the Giants allowed a 54-yard return by Britain Covey on a Jamie Gillan punt down to the Giants' 13. Philadelphia scored a touchdown on the ensuing possession for an early 7-0 lead. Gillan, who made a 40-yard field goal last week in an emergency situation, was limited in practice this week with a left groin injury.

Isaiah Simmons recovered a Boston Scott fumble on the opening kickoff of the second half, leading to a quick touchdown by Barkley on the ensuing possession.

IN-GAME INJURY REPORT

NYG: CB Deonte Banke (shoulder)

INACTIVES

NYG: WR Parris Campbell, S Gervarrius Owens, OLB Boogie Basham, OLB Benton Whitley, C Sean Harlow, TE Lawrence Cager (groin), NT Rakeem Nunez-Roches (knee)

PHI: CB Darius Slay (knee), RB Rashaad Penny, ILB Zach Cunningham (knee), OLB Nicholas Morrow (abdomen), G Landon Dickerson (thumb), TE Albert Okwuegbunam, QB (3rd) Tanner McKee

View rare photos of the historic rivalry between the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.