A three-game winning streak to end their current three-game losing record is just what the Philadelphia Eagles want for Christmas.
They still have a chance to win the division and maybe lock up the top overall seed in the conference if they manage to accomplish that, which includes defeating the NFC East rival New York Giants twice.
The Eagles (10-4) will take on the Giants (5-9), who haven’t triumphed in Philadelphia since 2013, at home on Christmas afternoon. The Eagles have won all four of their previous games, including a 38-7 rout at Lincoln Financial Field during the divisional playoffs the previous season.
The regular-season finale between these two teams is scheduled for January 7 in East Rutherford, New Jersey, following Philly’s New Year’s Eve hosting of the Arizona Cardinals.
Although his Eagles have lost all three of their games in December, scoring fewer than 20 points in each, head coach Nick Sirianni insisted there is no cause for concern.
“When you change who you are or you change your core values based off of wins and losses, that’s when you’re going to lose the team and so it’s the exact same accountability regardless of the outcome,” Sirianni told the press on Wednesday.
It’s the only thing that will make you better in the end. We’re now in a little bit of a rut, but because to the folks in this building, I’m extremely certain we can pull out of it.”
Jalen Hurts, the team’s quarterback, is still trusted; his 12 interceptions are double what he had in 2022. Hurts has scored eight touchdowns on the ground rather than six passing touchdowns since the beginning of November.
A Giants defense that ranks 29th against the run, allowing 131.6 yards per game, will be tested by Hurts (542 rushing yards) and D’Andre Swift (896 rushing yards, four touchdowns).
Monday’s 20-17 loss to Seattle extended Philadelphia’s losing run, while Sunday’s 24-6 loss to New Orleans ended DeVito and New York’s three-game winning streak.
Since taking over for the injured Daniel Jones in Week 9, DeVito has played in Las Vegas, Dallas, Washington, and New Orleans, but he hasn’t encountered anything like the welcome he will receive in the City of Brotherly Love.
“I understand that the atmosphere is quite antagonistic,” DeVito stated on Wednesday. “I’m excited about it. I prefer to do well in such kinds of settings.”
When asked if he enjoyed being the bad guy, DeVito responded with his signature swagger.
He declared, “It’s fun.” It is a feature of the game. I enjoy an adversarial crowd.
Due to injuries to defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (hamstring), safety Xavier McKinney (illness), and right tackle Evan Neal (ankle), the Giants could not be fully healthy for the trip.
Following thumb surgery, Eagles left guard Landon Dickerson will not play in the Pro Bowl; meanwhile, right guard Cam Jurgens (pectoral) was fully active on Thursday after sitting out Monday’s loss in Seattle. Wide receiver DeVonta Smith (knee) and linebackers Zach Cunningham (knee) and Nicholas Morrow (abdomen) did not practice.
