Big Blue View
The New York Giants try to rebound in NFL Week 8 from Sunday’s Debacle in Denver with a second upset victory in three weeks over the Philadelphia Eagles. Does the Big Blue View staff think the Giants can do it?
Read our picks for that game and the rest of the NFL Week 8 slate below.
Can the Giants sweep the Eagles? Yes, I think they can, at least depending on the health of some key players. Winning the second game would be significantly tougher thanks to the presence of Landon Dickerson and Jalen Carter, who are both difference makers on their respective lines.
But sitting here on Thursday morning, I just don’t know about the status of OC John Michael Schmitz (concussion), WR Darius Slayton (hamstring), EDGE Brian Burns (ankle), CB Paulson Adebo (knee), and Jevon Holland (knee). I don’t love the idea of the Giants’ interior offensive line going against Carter with Austin Schlottman, nor do I like the idea of defending the Eagles’ offense without Burns, Adebo, and Holland (or with them limited).
So I just don’t know enough about the status of some of the Giants’ most important players to confidently pick them. But honestly, this game isn’t really about whether they win or lose to me. I want to see how they play the game. I want to see Jaxson Dart continue to improve as a quarterback, and I want to see the Giants’ defense play hard, fast, and sound football from the first whistle to the last. In short, if this team gets up off the mat and gives the Eagles everything they can handle, I’ll count it as a win regardless of the outcome. I’ve been pretty consistent this year: 2025 isn’t about 2025, it’s about 2026 and beyond. And I think this is a great opportunity to see what this team is made of and whether they have the soul of a contender.
Pick: Eagles
I want to pick the Giants to beat the Eagles again and sweep the season series for the first time since 2007. I can’t, though. As impressive as Jaxson Dart and the Giants’ defense were in their first meeting, several things are different this time. There’s evidence that Dart has been less effective in the second halves of his starts, suggesting that opponents start to get a read on his tendencies and find ways to neutralize them. Going up against a Vic Fangio defense so soon after their last meeting is not ideal in this regard. In addition, the Eagles are healthier than they were in their first meeting. Landon Dickerson, Jalen Carter, and Quinyon Mitchell will all be back. The Giants on the other hand may be missing both Paulson Adebo and Jevon Holland. I don’t want to contemplate Tae Banks covering A.J. Brown or Devonta Smith. If Dart plays anywhere near as well as he did in their first meeting, I will be VERY impressed. I don’t think he...
