Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Glenn Erby

Eagles vs. Giants: 10 takeaways from the first half as Philadelphia leads 28-0

After two weeks of talk about potential rust and pregame jitters, the Eagles jumped out to a 14-0 lead and haven’t looked back as they lead 28-0 at the half.

Jalen Hurts has two passing touchdowns and three touchdowns on the day as Philadelphia dominated their NFC East rival in the third matchup of the season between both teams.

Buy Eagles Tickets

Hurts was 12-17 passing for 118 yards, while also logging eight carries for 30 rushing yards. For the Giants, quarterback Daniel Jones is 6-10 for 57 yards and one interception.

With another half of football to play, here are ten takeaways from the Eagles’ dominant first half.

1. Jalen Hurts opening drives

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia couldn’t afford a three-and-out or offensive inefficiency on their first drive and it went just about as perfectly as an opening drive could go.

Hurts went 5-5 passing for 68 yards on the opening drive and ran twice — including the zone read, before hitting tight end Dallas Goedert for a touchdown.

The All-Pro quarterback added two more completions for 21 yards after the defense turned the Giants over on downs.

In that perfect first quarter, Jalen Hurts was 7-7 passing for 89 yards, 2 TDs, and 14 rush yards.

2. DeVonta Smith set for a monster night

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Smith opened the first drive with a 40-yard catch on a dime from quarterback Jalen Hurts.

He then finished the first quarter with a nine-yard touchdown off a wide receiver screen to put Philadelphia up 14-0.

Smith finished the first half with four catches for 50 yards and a touchdown.

3. Adoree' Jackson traveling

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants’ veteran cornerback missed both regular season contests against Philadelphia but opened up the divisional matchup against the Eagles traveling with A.J. Brown.

Brown had two catches for 17 yards in the first half.

4. Haason Reddick was dominant early on

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

On back-to-back plays with under six minutes remaining in the first quarter, Haason Reddick was able to get pressure on Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, ruining a potential scoring drive.

Reddick beat Giants rookie Evan Neal for a sack on 3rd down, and then was used in a stunt to loop inside and sack Daniel Jones on a fourth-down pass attempt.

Reddick had 2 sacks, 3 tackles, 3 QB hits, and 3 TFLs on Philadelphia’s opening drive.

5. Dominant first quarter on defense

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The media talked all week about the Giants being dangerous on offense, and through one quarter, Brian Daboll’s squad had only produced 64 total yards on 19 total plays in a disastrous first quarter that saw Daniel Jones get picked off by former teammate James Bradberry.

6. Boston Scott scores another touchdown

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

After scoring another touchdown, 11 of his career 19 touchdowns have come vs the Giants.

That means 61% of them have come against the Giants, including one tonight.

7. Saquon Barkley contained in first half

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Barkley has four carries for seven yards in the first half, and one reception for two yards as Philadelphia worked to bottle up the Giants’ star running back.

8. Eagles have dominated Giants on scoreboard

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

In the first half of three matchups, the Eagles have outscored the Giants 68-7 after jumping out to an early 28-0 lead.

9. Shane Steichen-Jonathan Gannon are out of here

Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

After Shane Steichen and Jonathan Gannon both interviewed for head coach jobs this week, there was some discussion about the Eagles’ focus.

If the first half at Lincoln Financial Field is any indication, Nick Sirianni will be replacing his offensive coordinator and defensive coordinator in the coming weeks.

Steichen had the Eagles’ offense rolling in the first half to the tune of almost 300 total yards and a brilliant run-pass strategy.

Gannon’s defense harassed Daniel Jones and the Giants’ offense in the first half, as New York struggled to break 60 total yards.

10. Random notes

Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Philadelphia had 15 first downs in the first half compared to the Giants’ two.

Philadelphia was 5-6 on third down during an efficient first half.

Philadelphia was 4-4 in the red zone for an efficient first half.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.