If you woke up this morning wondering thursday night football what was the score, you aren't alone. The NFC East is always a chaotic mess, and last night's showdown between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field didn't disappoint. Philadelphia walked away with a 27-10 victory, but the score alone doesn't really tell the whole story of how ugly this game got in the second quarter.
The Eagles moved to 11-5. The Giants? Well, they’re looking at a very high draft pick.
It was cold. It was windy. Honestly, the first fifteen minutes felt like a punting competition rather than a professional football game. But then Saquon Barkley decided to remind everyone why he’s the frontrunner for Offensive Player of the Year.
Breaking Down the Scoring Plays
The game started with a whimper. Both teams traded three-and-outs like they were afraid of the end zone. However, halfway through the second quarter, Jalen Hurts orchestrated a 12-play drive that chewed up nearly seven minutes of clock.
He capped it off with the "Tush Push"—a play that everyone seems to hate unless it's their team doing it. That put the Eagles up 7-0. New York tried to answer back, but Daniel Jones looked rattled under the heavy blitz packages sent by Vic Fangio. A tipped pass led to an interception by Reed Blankenship, which set up an easy field goal.
10-0.
The Giants finally found some life right before the half. Rookie receiver Malik Nabers hauled in a 34-yard contested catch that set up a short Graham Gano field goal. At halftime, the scoreboard read 10-3. It felt close, but if you were watching the line of scrimmage, you knew the Giants were gassed.
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The Second Half Surge
Coming out of the locker room, Philly just looked faster.
Barkley broke loose for a 42-yard touchdown run on the third play of the third quarter. He hit the hole so fast that the Giants' secondary didn't even have time to take an angle. That pushed the lead to 17-3. At that point, the energy in the stadium shifted from "nervous" to "celebratory."
New York’s lone touchdown came late in the third. It was a scramble play where Daniel Jones found Wan'Dale Robinson in the back of the end zone. For a second, it felt like we might have a game on our hands at 17-10. But then the Eagles' offensive line simply took over. They bullied the Giants' defensive front for an 80-yard drive that ended in a Dallas Goedert touchdown catch.
One more field goal in the fourth quarter iced it.
27-10.
Thursday Night Football What Was The Score and Why It Matters for the Playoffs
This wasn't just another game on the calendar. With the win, Philadelphia has officially clinched a playoff berth and stays neck-and-neck with the Cowboys for the division lead.
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The implications are huge.
If the Eagles hadn't secured this win, they’d be looking at a potential wild-card spot and a road trip to a place like Detroit or Tampa Bay. Now, they have a legitimate shot at the #2 seed in the NFC. The Giants, conversely, are officially eliminated from playoff contention.
People always talk about "meaningless" late-season games, but tell that to the guys in the trenches. The physicality in this game was off the charts. We saw three different players head to the blue medical tent in the first half alone. Luckily, none of the injuries appeared to be season-ending, though Eagles fans were holding their breath when A.J. Brown limped off briefly.
Defensive Standouts and Statistical Oddities
You can't talk about the score without mentioning the Philly defense. They recorded five sacks. Jalen Carter is playing like a man possessed, frequently demanding double teams that he just brushes off anyway.
- Jalen Hurts: 215 passing yards, 1 passing TD, 1 rushing TD.
- Saquon Barkley: 146 rushing yards, 1 TD.
- Daniel Jones: 182 passing yards, 1 TD, 2 interceptions.
- Total Yards: Eagles 388, Giants 210.
The yardage gap is the real kicker here. The Giants basically couldn't move the ball unless it was a broken play or a penalty. New York finished with only 62 rushing yards. You aren't going to win many games in the NFL when your leading rusher has fewer yards than the opponent's backup tight end.
Looking Ahead to Next Week
So, now that you know thursday night football what was the score, what’s next?
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The Eagles head into a massive showdown against the Cowboys next Sunday. That game will likely decide the NFC East. If Philly plays like they did in the second half last night, they’re going to be tough to beat. Their pass rush is peaking at exactly the right time.
For the Giants, it’s soul-searching time. They have a lot of questions at quarterback, and while Malik Nabers is a superstar in the making, he can’t throw the ball to himself.
To prep for the upcoming weekend of games, fantasy owners should keep an eye on the waiver wire. With the Eagles' dominant performance, Kenneth Gainwell saw more touches than usual in the fourth quarter to keep Barkley fresh. If you’re in a deep league, he might be a sneaky add.
Also, watch the injury reports for New York's offensive line. They lost two starters last night, which could make their remaining games a nightmare for whoever is under center.
The playoff race is heating up, and last night was just the appetizer. Get your rosters set and your TV ready, because the next three weeks are going to be a sprint to the finish line. Keep an eye on the point spreads for the Sunday afternoon slate, as several lines have shifted following the outcome of this Thursday night contest.