Eagles vs. Giants score, takeaways: Philadelphia grounds out win, ends New York's slim postseason hopes

The Eagles rush for 170 yards in the win

PHILADELPHIA -- Philadelphia Eagles fans screamed throughout Lincoln Financial Field to "run the ball." Whether Nick Sirianni listened to them or not, the stadium erupted when Kenneth Gainwell ran for 22 yards in a two-point game -- the longest run of the night for a running back group that had its share of peaks and valleys all year. 

Three plays later, D'Andre Swift rushed for a 5-yard score much to the fans' delight -- giving the Eagles the cushion they needed to beat the New York Giants 33-25 in a game that shouldn't have been close. Kelle Ringo actually intercepted Tyrod Taylor's pass in the end zone to seal the win with no time left. 

Two Eagles turnovers in the second half proved costly for a team that needed a "get right" game, which looked that way in the first half after the Eagles took a 20-3 lead heading into the break. Olamide Zaccheaus ran into Boston Scott on the opening second-half kickoff that led to a Scott fumble and Saquon Barkley scored a 7-yard touchdown three plays later to make it 20-10. Jalen Hurts threw an interception to Adoree Jackson that was returned for a score to cut the lead to 20-18 heading into the fourth quarter. 

Then, the Eagles "ran the ball." Eagles running backs had 12 carries for 92 yards through the first 13 minutes in the fourth quarter as Swift and Gainwell preserved them the win. Swift had nine carries for 59 yards while Gainwell had three carries for 33 yards, averaging 7.7 yards per carry. 

The Eagles were able to run the ball in the final quarter to the tone of 170 yards total in the win, averaging 4.9 yards per carry.

Here are the takeaways from the Eagles' Christmas victory. 

Why the Eagles won

Philadelphia didn't do itself any favors with the two turnovers that led to 15 New York points, but the Eagles were able to keep control of the game by running the football. The running backs had 13 carries for 88 yards in the fourth quarter, over half of the 170 yards the Eagles earned on the ground. Jalen Hurts went 5 of 7 for 77 yards in the fourth, including the 32-yard completion to A.J. Brown that set up the final touchdown. 

The Eagles had 161 yards of offense in the fourth quarter and 465 on the night. They weren't always efficient, but were able to get the 13 points they needed in the fourth to preserve the win. 

Why the Giants lost

The Giants put up a fight with Tyrod Taylor at quarterback, but that was in part to two Eagles miscues in the second half -- the Boston Scott collision/fumble and the Jalen Hurts interception for a score. The first-half deficit ended up being too much to overcome, but that was when Tommy DeVito was in. 

DeVito and the offense put up just three points in the first half as he went 9 of 16 for 55 yards. The Giants had just 101 yards and had five pressures, as DeVito looked overmatched by an Eagles defense looking to turn the corner. Taylor brought some life back into the Giants with his 69-yard touchdown pass to Darius Slayton, but the Giants are in the game thanks to two Eagles miscues. 

Turning point

Eagles fans screamed at the team to "run the ball," as the chants could be heard all around the stadium. This was after A.J. Brown caught a 32-yard pass on third-and-20 to extend the drive, on what was the biggest play of the night for the Eagles. 

Kenneth Gainwell got the ball on the next play and ran for 22 yards on what was the longest run of the night for any Eagles running back. Gainwell had three carries for 33 yards in the fourth quarter, no carry bigger than that one. D'Andre Swift scored three plays later to make it 27-18 with 11:07 left. 

The Eagles running backs had three carries for 30 yards on that eight-play, 75-yard drive. 

Play of the game

The Eagles were facing a third-and-20 at their own 26 when Jalen Hurts competed a pass to A.J. Brown that went for 32 yards and for a first down. Hurts was coming off a pick-six and the Eagles appeared headed for a three-and-out before Hurts found his best receiver for a monster gain.

That was the first third-and-20-or-more the Eagles converted under Nick Sirianni, which was followed by a Kenneth Gainwell 22-yard run. D'Andre Swift scored a touchdown three plays later to put the Eagles up 27-18 in the fourth quarter. 

The quote

"I don't pay too much attention to it. Just trying to operate it. They're trying to get loud on offense, they supposed to get loud for the defense," Jalen Hurts said with a smile on the Eagles fans chanting "run the ball." 

Up next

The Eagles (11-4) play host to the Cardinals (3-12) on New Year's Eve while the Giants (5-10) play host to the surging Rams (8-7) in Week 17.

[Dec 25, 2023 at 7:53 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Kelee Ringo with the pick and that will do it. Eagles win 33-25. Giants eliminated form playoffs. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 7:43 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles RBs in the 4th quarter -- 13 carries for 88 yards -- actually had 12 for 92 before chewing clock. Jake Elliott makes it 33-25. One more stop and the Eagles win., 1:10 to play. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 7:27 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

I don't get why Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka called pass plays on 3rd-and-4th and 1 there. Give the Eagles the ball back. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 7:14 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The #Eagles RBs that drive 

 3 carries, 30 yards, TD -- D'Andre Swift with the score. 

Kenneth Gainwell with a 22-yard run, right after the A.J. Brown 32-yard completion. 

 17 carries for 78 yards for the RBs, 4.6 YPC. Again, run the ball -- better.

[Dec 25, 2023 at 7:11 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

D'Andre Swift rushes for a 5-yard TD. The Eagles take a 26-18 lead over the lowly Giants. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 7:11 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Eagles fans are begiing for them to run the ball. Kenneth Gainwell gets a 22-yard run to their delight. Eagles RBs have 16 carries for 73 yards. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 6:55 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

A.J. Brown back in there. This drive has lasted 12 plays for 5:58 thus far. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 6:50 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

A.J. Brown gets hit in the back trying to make a catch. Down for a minute, but walks off under his own power. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 6:47 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles are 3 of 3 on the "tush push" today. They are starting to put together a long drive. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 6:32 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

This friendly fire is why the Eagles need to clean the little things up. QB staying in bounds, wasting 20 seconds before a time out, jogging off the field, it all adds up

[Dec 25, 2023 at 6:31 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles go 3-and-out after failing to convert a 3rd-and-1. Some panic here at the Linc as Tyrod Taylor comes back on the field with the Giants trailing 20-10.

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

Tyrod Taylor in at QB for the Giants and Saquon Barkley runs untouched for the score. Giants take advantage of the fumble on the kickoff and its 20-10. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 6:23 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Olamide Zaccheaus just went right into Boston Scott and Scott fumbled on the start of the 2nd half kickoff.

Inexcusable.

[Dec 25, 2023 at 6:21 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The 20 points in the first half were the most the Eagles scored in the first half this season.

[Dec 25, 2023 at 6:07 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Delay of game on Bobby Okereke gets the Eagles indie the 5. He held Jalen Hurts down after a 9-yard run, but the Eagle skick a FG t take a 20-3 lead at the half 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 5:53 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Haason Reddick should be nicknamed "The Closer."

Huge play to stop Saquon Barkley on 4th-and-1 and force the Giants turnover on downs.

[Dec 25, 2023 at 5:48 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Nick Sirianni was not happy with Jalen Carter after that offsides penalty. Carter appeared to be slowly getting off the field as the punt was going off. Ginats have 2 1st downs since. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 5:41 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Eagles were stopped on an offensive possession. They go 3-and-out for the first time tonight. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 5:35 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Players with multiple 1,000-yard receiving seasons in their 1st 3 years with Eagles 

Mike Quick (1983-1984) 

DeSean Jackson (2009-2010) 

DeVonta Smith (2022-2023)

[Dec 25, 2023 at 5:29 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Olamide Zaccheaus had a tremendous block on the DeVonta Smith TD.

Those types of plays are what the Eagles need for the big plays to work. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 5:27 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jalen Hurts to DeVonta Smith for the 36-yard TD.

Hurts is 7-of-12 for 100 yards and a TD (113.2 rating)

Eagles up 17-3, scored on all 3 possessions

[Dec 25, 2023 at 5:22 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Through 3 possessions -- Eagles defense

16 plays, 55 yards, 3 points, 3.4 yards per play

[Dec 25, 2023 at 5:18 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

That was a heck of the throw by Jalen Hurts with pressure in his face.

Dallas Goedert tried to snag it with one hand, but pass was incomplete. Eagles get a FG it's 10-3.

18 plays, 72 yards, 8:11. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 5:13 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

End of first quarter. Eagles 7, Giants 3. Eagles have a 3rd-and-goal at the 5. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 5:11 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Lot of motion on this drive, but that run by D'Andre Swift was all him.

Swift avoided four tackles on the play, but they are checking to see if his knee was down.

[Dec 25, 2023 at 5:08 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jalen Hurts fumbles, picks the ball up and somehow finds Grant Calcaterra for a 1st down on 3rd-and-5.

A busted play gets a first down anyway.

[Dec 25, 2023 at 5:03 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Britain Covey with his first NFL catch. Said to me in preseason he was hoping for an opportunity to catch passes, but his injury kept him on the sidelines. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 4:56 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Darren Waller should have scored a TD as he couldn't corral that pass in. James Bradberry on the coverage.

Waller had a full step on him.

Giants get a FG out of the drive. 10 plays, 34 yards -- it's 7-3 Eagles 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 4:54 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Tommy DeVito is 4 of 6 for 34 yards to start the game. Everything is short passes, but the Eagles aren't stopping it. They are at the Eagles' 34. 

[Dec 25, 2023 at 4:42 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jalen Hurts has set the NFL record for rushing TD by a QB in a season (15).