Eagles 33, Giants 25: Eagles gift 2 touchdowns as big lead vanishes; Tommy DeVito benched

PHILADELPHIA − The Eagles showed some signs in the first half of breaking out of their 3-game losing streak.

They led 20-3 at halftime. But then they turned generous, gifting the Giants two touchdowns in the third quarter, allowing the Giants back into the game.

They held off the Giants for a 33-25 win Monday.

Jalen Hurts threw for 301 yards, and D'Andre Swift had 92 yards rushing. But it was hardly easy as the Giants had a chance to tie the game on Tyrod Taylor's last-second pass into the end zone. Eagles cornerback Kelee Ringo intercepted the pass, and the game was over.

The Eagles are 11-4 and in sole possession of first place in the NFC East.

But the Eagles also got a big break at the end of the half. With no timeouts left, Jalen Hurts escaped pressure down the sideline, but instead of going out of bounds to stop the clock, he cut back inside and was tackled.

The clock would have ran out, but Giants Bobby Okereke was called for delay of game, stopping the clock with 4 seconds left. Jake Elliott then came on to kick a field goal.

Still, the Eagles reached 20 points in the first half, or more points than they have scored in any of their previous three games.

Eagles gift 2nd TD to Giants as Jalen Hurts throws a pick-6

The Eagles are putting on a clinic in how to blow a big lead.

After fumbling away a kickoff, Jalen Hurts threw a pick-6 late in the third quarter. He was trying for Dallas Goedert on the sideline on a 2nd-and-20 from the Giants' 28. But Goedert fell down and the ball went right to Adoree Jackson, who ran it back 76 yards for a touchdown.

To add insult to injury, Hurts was called for a horse-collar tackle in the end zone, setting up a 2-point conversion try that the Giants made. Just like that, the Eagles' lead was down to 20-18 heading into the fourth quarter.

Eagles gift a TD to Giants to start 2nd half as Tommy DeVito benched

In keeping with the Christmas spirit, the Eagles gifted a touchdown to the Giants on the opening kickoff of the second half. Boston Scott fielded the ball around the goal line and ran into teammate Olamide Zaccheaus.

Scott fumbled and the Giants recovered at the Eagles' 14. Three plays later, Saquon Barkely ran the ball in from the 7. Just like that, it was 20-10.

Tyrod Taylor was the Giants' QB on that series after Tommy DeVito went 9-for-16 for 55 yards in the first half.

Contributions all around

The Eagles got contributions on special teams on Britain Covey's 54-yard punt return to start their first drive from the Giants 13. They got contributions from the depleted linebacker unit as Ben VanSumeren played his first defensive snaps of his career, and other starting linebacker Shaq Leonard had his first sack of the season.

And Hurts and the Eagles' offense were much more precise than in previous weeks. Hurts broke an NFL record with his 15th rushing touchdown, which came on a "tush push." He also threw a 36-yard TD to DeVonta Smith.

In all, Hurts was 11-for-19 passing for 156 yards and a touchdown in the first half.

Revolving door at linebacker

The Eagles revolving door at linebacker is continuing against the Giants, albeit with a wildcard this week.

That's because both starters at off-ball linebacker are injured. Zach Cunningham was ruled out Saturday with a knee injury, and Nicholas Morrow, listed as questionable with an abdominal injury, was ruled out before the game.

The only other off-ball linebackers are Shaq Leonard, who was signed only two weeks ago, and rookie Ben VanSumeren, who has never played a defensive snap in the NFL.

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The Eagles also gave a practice-squad elevation to linebacker Brandon Smith, a second-year player out of Penn State, who's on the active roster for the first time as an Eagle.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni hinted at another alternative, something the Eagles showed late last Monday night against Seattle when Morrow suffered his injury.

In those situations, instead of using a second linebacker, the Eagles would either have edge rusher Patrick Johnson drop into coverage, or use safety Sydney Brown as a hybrid linebacker. On Monday, Nolan Smith lined up at middle linebacker on a few plays.

Either way, Sirianni said there's enough depth if Morrow can't play, in addition to Cunningham.

"We're really happy with the (linebacker) room," Sirianni said. "I mean, the room in general, and even the guys that aren't in the room that are cross-training in the room. I won't get too much into that. You saw some of it last week."

The other game-day inactives are QB Tanner McKee, CB Darius Slay (knee), RB Rashaad Penny, G Landon Dickerson (thumb), TE Albert Okwuegbunam. Sua Opeta is starting for Dickerson.

Eagles appear to be benching Quez Watkins as 2 others make first catch of the season

The Eagles stretched their lead to 10-3 to start the second quarter quarter after an 18-play drive.

But Quez Watkins has played sparingly, if at all. Instead, two players who haven't had a catch all season, had receptions. The first was wide receiver Britain Covey, who's used as the punt returner. He caught a 7-yard pass.

The other was tight end Grant Calcaterra, who made a 9-yard catch on 3rd-and-3 from the Giants' 17. Jason Kelce's snap went over Hurts' head. Hurts chased the ball down, picked it up and ran to his left where he threw to Calcaterra near the sideline.

The drive ended with a field goal. Then the Eagles made it 17-3 on Hurts' 36-yard touchdown pass to DeVonta Smith as Smith caught a pass over the middle, then blew past the Giants defense. The reception gave Smith 1,010 yards for the season, his second straight season with at least 1,000 yards receiving.

Big punt return leads to Jalen Hurts record-setting TD

That didn't take long for the Eagles. The Giants went 3-and-out on their opening possession. Britain Covey returned the punt 54 yards down to the Giants' 13. The Eagles didn't waste any time as D'Andre Swift carried the ball down to the 1.

Then Jalen Hurts scored on a "tush push." Hurts broke an NFL record with his 15th rushing TD. Carolina's Cam Newton set the previous record with 14 in 2011. The Eagles took a 7-0 lead with 12:27 left in the first quarter.

Eagles Sydney Brown gives scouting report on Giants' Tommy DeVito

Sydney Brown has some inside knowledge about Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito, the rookie who began the season as the third string QB after signing as an undrafted free agent.

That's because the two were teammates last season at Illinois, and quickly became close friends. DeVito transferred to Illinois after spending his first four seasons at Syracuse. DeVito threw for 2,650 yards last season.

Since becoming the Giants QB following injuries to Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor, DeVito has thrown for 1,032 yards and 8 TDs with 3 INTs in 8 games. The Giants (5-9) are 3-2 with DeVito as the starter.

"I’m not surprised," Brown said. "He’s just taking advantage of an opportunity. He’s the kind of guy that’s a competitor. He’s just riding with it. I think it’s impressive with what he’s done. Everybody seems surprised, but I’m not."

As for stopping DeVito, Brown said he has relayed some ideas to the Eagles coaches.

Eagles' path to winning NFC East is easier - and harder

As hard as it is to believe, the Eagles still have an outside chance at the No. 1 overall seed, but they'll have to win two more games than the 49ers over the final three games.

The Eagles' path to winning the NFC East got much easier after the Cowboys lost to Miami on Sunday. If the Eagles (10-4) win out, they'll become the first repeat winner in the division since the Eagles last did it in 2003 and 2004. The Cowboys are 10-5.

But the Eagles will now lose a tiebreaker if they go 2-1 and Dallas goes 2-0. That's because the Cowboys lost to Miami, an AFC team. Since the Eagles and Cowboys split the season series, the next tiebreaker is division record. The Cowboys are 4-1 with Washington left. The Eagles are 3-1 with two games left with the Giants. If the Eagles lose one of those, then Dallas will have a better division record by winning out.

Also, if the Eagles lose to the Cardinals, but beat the Giants twice, then Dallas will win the tiebreaker of better overall conference record. As of now, Dallas is 7-3 in the conference, while the Eagles are 6-3.

If the Cowboys had won Sunday, and had both teams continued to have won out, it would have gone to the fifth tiebreaker − strength of victory. And here, the Eagles currently have a big lead, but that could change.

Alas, that is no longer a factor.

What's the weather forecast for Eagles vs Giants?

It only seems like forever since the Eagles played in dry conditions. In fact, four of their last five games were played in rainy conditions, going back to Nov. 5.

But take heart, the forecast for Christmas Day is not only dry, but it's warm. The forecast calls for partly cloudy skies in the afternoon, with light winds and a high of 55 degrees.

What are the odds for the Eagles vs. Giants game?

Betting line (Odds via Sportsbook Review): Giants +12 (Odds via PointsBet), Eagles -11.5 (Odds via FanDuel)

Over-Under: Over 42, Under 42.5 poins

Moneyline: Giants +500 (Bet $100 to net $500), Eagles -650 (Bet $650 to win $100)

What time is the Eagles vs. Giants game?

• Date: Monday, Dec. 25

• Time: 4:30 p.m.

• Place: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia

How to watch, stream, listen to Eagles vs. Giants

Cable/Network TV

The game will be available locally on FOX Philadelphia.

Streaming

You can also stream games if you have subscriptions to NFL+, NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube Primetime, YouTube TV, fuboTV.  Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV.

Radio

You can listen to the Eagles Sirius XM satellite radio on Sirius channel 82 and XM channel 228 (Eagles feed). The Eagles Radio Network has stations across the region. Merrill Reese has the play-by-play and Mike Quick the analyst.

• Wilmington − WDEL/101.7 FM and 1150 AM

• Levittown − WBCB/1490 AM

• Philadelphia − WIP/94.1 FM

• Atlantic City − WENJ/97.3 FM

• Salisbury/Ocean City − WAFL/97.7FM

Who is announcing the Eagles vs. Giants game?

• Play-by-play: Joe Davis

• Analyst: Daryl Johnston

• Sideline reporter: Pam Oliver

Eagles vs. Giants prediction

Martin Frank pick:

The Eagles have to hope that Jalen Hurts has overcome what's ailing him, both with his illness and his play the last three weeks. Let's just say this is a must win for the Eagles' psyche, and they'll find a way. Barely.

The pick: Eagles 26, Giants 22

2023 Philadelphia Eagles schedule

• Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023: Eagles 25, Patriots 20

• Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023: Eagles 34, Vikings 28

• Monday, Sept. 25, 2023: Eagles 25, Buccaneers 11

• Sunday, Oct. 1, 2023: Eagles 34, Commanders 31 (OT)

• Sunday, Oct. 8, 2023: Eagles 23, Rams 14

• Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023: Jets 20, Eagles 14

• Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023: Eagles 31, Dolphins 17

• Sunday, Oct. 29, 2023: Eagles 38, Commanders 31

• Sunday, Nov. 5, 2023: Eagles 28, Cowboys 23

• Monday, Nov. 20, 2023: Eagles 21, Chiefs 17

• Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023: Eagles 37, Bills 34 (OT)

• Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023: 49ers 42, Eagles 19

• Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023: Cowboys 33, Eagles 13

• Monday, Dec. 18, 2023: Seahawks 20, Eagles 17

• Monday, Dec. 25, 2023: vs. New York Giants, 4:30 p.m.

• Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023: vs. Arizona Cardinals, 1 p.m.

• Sunday, Jan. 7: at New York Giants, TBD

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants: Pivotal NFC East Christmas game