With key players rested to preserve their health for the playoffs, the Eagles focused on evaluating their depth during the Week 18 win over the Giants.
In a game that had little bearing on the standings, the Philadelphia Eagles comfortably defeated the New York Giants 20-13 in their Week 18 matchup. With the NFC’s No. 2 seed already secured, the Eagles focused on maintaining the health of their key players and giving their backups valuable playing time. The Giants continued to limp through an underwhelming season, unable to offer much resistance despite their own playoff aspirations.
Quarterback Tanner McKee once again showed why he has earned attention as a reliable backup option. Taking the reins behind a backup offensive line and without top receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, McKee went 7-for-9 for 92 yards and a touchdown in just the first quarter. Should McKee continue to impress, he may earn the backup quarterback role over Kenny Pickett, who, despite battling through a tough performance against Dallas last week, was listed as the emergency QB3 for this game.
For the Eagles, McKee’s potential future with the team could also lead to an offseason decision. With Pickett nearing the end of his rookie deal, moving him for a draft pick and elevating McKee to No. 2 quarterback behind Jalen Hurts might be the smarter long-term move.
Tight end Dallas Goedert, recovering from injury, looked sharp in his return, catching four passes for 55 yards. Goedert’s chemistry with McKee was evident early, and his well-rounded skill set continues to be a key weapon for the Eagles. Getting him back into action before the playoffs was an important step, and Goedert appears ready for a full postseason workload.
Running back Will Shipley also had a chance to shine, making the most of his limited role behind Saquon Barkley and Kenny Gainwell. Shipley showed flashes of potential, and with Gainwell set to enter free agency, Shipley could be in line to compete for the No. 2 spot in next season’s backfield.
Defensively, the Eagles dominated despite resting many of their key players. With only Jordan Davis and Milton Williams seeing significant minutes among the starting defenders, the Eagles’ defense, under the guidance of Vic Fangio, suffocated the Giants.
As the Eagles now shift focus to the playoffs, they will rest and prepare for their first postseason game at Lincoln Financial Field. With the Green Bay Packers’ loss today, Philadelphia will host Green Bay in the Wild Card round, where they’ll face either Jordan Love or Malik Willis. The Eagles enter the postseason with confidence, having showcased strong depth and the ability to handle business even with backups on the field.