Eagles vs. Giants score, takeaways: Philadelphia clinches NFC's No. 1 seed in Jalen Hurts' return

Philadelphia, which also locked up the NFC East title, was in full control in its Week 18 meeting vs. New York

PHILADELPHIA -- The game wasn't one to write home about, but at the end of the day the Philadelphia Eagles are NFC East champions and have clinched home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. Philadelphia never trailed in defeating the New York Giants 22-16. Jalen Hurts looked rusty in his return with a game plan that looked as if the Eagles wanted to get out of this game with no injuries.

Hurts finished 20 of 35 for 229 yards with an interception in the victory as the Eagles couldn't find the end zone enough to completely put away the Giants. Philadelphia finished 1 of 5 in the red zone in the win, as Jake Elliott hit five field goals -- his longest from 54 yards in the third quarter.

The outcome was never in doubt, thanks to the Eagles scoring early. Hurts led them to scores on four of their five drives, but Philadelphia only had one touchdown in the mix -- an 8-yard run by Boston Scott to give the Eagles a 10-0 lead with 4:14 left in the first quarter. Philadelphia led by double digits until under two minutes left  in the game -- when Kenny Golladay made an incredible touchdown catch over Darius Slay to cut the lead to 22-16. 

The Giants rested starters -- including Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley -- with the No. 6 seed locked in. Davis Webb went 23 of 40 for 168 yards and a touchdown pass in his first career start, including 41 rushing yards and a touchdown. 

For the Eagles, A.J. Brown also passed Mike Quick for the most receiving yards in a season by a Philadelphia player with a 35-yard catch on the first play of the game. Brown finished the season with 1,496 yards. Meanwhile, DeVonta Smith finished his regular season with 95 catches -- the most by a wide receiver in franchise history. 

Here are the takeaways from this one:

Why the Eagles won

Philadelphia just needed to take care of business against New York early in this one and made sure the game was never really in doubt by scoring on four of its first five possessions. The Eagles would have liked a better performance in the red zone (1-for-5), but this wasn't exactly a game where Philadelphia needed to panic after jumping out to a 19-0 lead.

Jake Elliott making five field goals certainly helped and the defense holding New York to just one touchdown (with under two minutes left). The outcome never seemed in doubt. 

Why the Giants lost

New York didn't play many starters in this one, including Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley. Both players sat with the No. 6 seed locked in prior to kickoff. Davis Webb got the start and Gary Brightwell was the leading ball carrier. This game didn't matter to the Giants, who will prepare for the Vikings next week. 

Turning point

Boston Scott's 8-yard touchdown run with 4:14 left in the first quarter set the tone for how this game was going to go, as the Eagles built that early double-digit lead they envisioned. Scott has 17 career touchdowns, 10 have come against the Giants. 

New York couldn't get the deficit into single digits until 1:38 left in the fourth quarter. Scott scored the only touchdown of the day and the Eagles' only touchdown on five red zone trips. He finished with nine carries for 54 yards. 

Play of the game

Kenny Golladay's touchdown catch over Darius Slay with 1:38 left was his first touchdown in two seasons with the Giants, but it was a play that reminded the NFL why he got paid $72 million over four years in the first place. 

Golladay had blanket coverage by Darius Slay, but still corralled the pass in for the Giants' lone touchdown of the game. He finished with two catches for 30 yards and a score. 

The quote

"We got home-field advantage. That's the main advantage. Playing in front of these fans. Playing here in Philly. It's definitely hard to come up here. It's cold. It's windy. Those are all variables that make it hard to play here." -- James Bradberry to CBS Sports on earning home-field advantage. 

What's next

The Giants (9-7-1) travel to Minnesota to face the Vikings (13-4) in the wild card round while the Eagles (14-3) have a first-round bye and will not play for two weeks by virtue of being the No. 1 seed. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 7:22 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles have clinched home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs.

They have clinched the No. 1 seed and the NFC East title. First time since 2017. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 7:03 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles have 29 carries for 135 yards today. 4.7 YPC. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 6:53 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

C.J. Gardner-Johnson on the PBU after the #Giants went for 2. It's 19-9 with 10:04 left.

Eagles offense should get some points this drive. Just my analysis. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 6:49 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Have the Eagles played well? No.

But they are 11 minutes away from clinching the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage. That's all that matters.

[Jan 8, 2023 at 6:41 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles offense just hasn't looked good in the second half. 18 plays for 87 yards in the third quarter. Not firing on all cylinders heading into the playoffs. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 6:36 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Giants are on the board. Davis Webb eluded pressure several times on that drive to move the chains. 9 plays, 65 yards for a Graham Gano 24-yard FG. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 6:25 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jake Elliott hits his 4th FG today. It's 19-0 Eagles with 6:17 left in the third. This one was from 54 yards. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 6:24 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jalen Hurts has looked like a QB who hasn't played in two weeks.

Again, this is why it was beneficial for him to play.

[Jan 8, 2023 at 6:17 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Heck of a tackle by Marcus Epps on Matt Breida to get the Giants off the field. Eagles just need a TD to put this thing out of reach. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 6:12 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jalen Hurts throws his first INT in the red zone this year. The Eagles have looked dreadful in the red zone today. 1-of-4 in red zone.

[Jan 8, 2023 at 6:08 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Nakobe Dean recovered the onside kick for the Eagles. Giants thought they could fool them to open the 2nd half.

[Jan 8, 2023 at 5:55 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

DeVonta Smith has 91 catches this season. 2nd-most by any player in a season in Eagles history. Zach Ertz has the most with 116.

[Jan 8, 2023 at 5:48 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

That T.J. Edwards almost INT may have put an end to Jalen Hurts' day. Thought for sure that would be a pick 6. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 5:25 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles are now 1-for-2 in 3rd-and-30 situations this season.

[Jan 8, 2023 at 5:24 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Reddick gets the QB hit after an intentional grounding penalty instead. 3rd-and-9 for the Giants. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 5:23 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Should be a sack for Haason Reddick. That would be No. 17 on the season for him. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 5:13 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

DeVonta Smith is the first WR to have 90 catches in a season for the #Eagles.

Ties Brian Westbrook for 2nd most in a season in franchise history.

Eagles get a FG and are now up 13-0. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 5:08 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The #Eagles don't have a sack yet, but they're getting to Davis Webb a lot. Another 3-and-out for the Giants. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 4:58 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

James Bradberry with a pass breakup on Kenny Golladay on 3rd-and-9.

The Giants try a fake FG instead of kicking a 47-yarder and didn't get it. Everyone is laughing in the press box.

[Jan 8, 2023 at 4:56 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

That T.J. Edwards unnecessary roughness penalty appeared to just be a unintentional  push. Nevertheless, it was called. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 4:49 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Boston Scott with the TD. The Eagles score on their first two possessions and are up 10-0. Taking care of business. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 4:45 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jalen Hurts found A.J. Brown deep again.

This one goes for 37 yards. Brown has 2 catches for 72 yards already. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 4:42 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

DeVonta Smith has the most catches by a WR in a season in Eagles history (89).

[Jan 8, 2023 at 4:38 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Haason Reddick has faced two third downs today.

He has two pressures and a QB hit.

[Jan 8, 2023 at 4:35 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

No run plays called on that first drive for the #Eagles, which resulted in a FG.

Jalen Hurts went 3 of 6 for 51 yards. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 4:31 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jalen Hurts comes out onto the field and the fans chant M-V-P.

Hurts completes a pass to A.J. Brown for 35 yards on his first pass.

Brown passes Mike Quick for the single-season receiving yards record. 1,436 yards on the year.

[Jan 8, 2023 at 4:28 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Haason Reddick with the pressure on 3rd down and the Giants go 3-and-out. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 4:24 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles won the toss and deferred. It's time at the Linc. And it's loud. 

[Jan 8, 2023 at 4:22 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

He's back