Best content from NFL Week 6: Consider the Patriots, Titans and Rams
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- Giants rookie QB Jackson Dart had a prime-time coming-out party and got plenty of help.
- Can you name the last time the Eagles lost two straight?
- Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley showed flashes on and off the field Thursday…even if it was just for a moment between the lines.
A month ago, while the Super Bowl 59 champion Philadelphia Eagles were still officially dominating the NFL, the New York Giants, who had the league’s toughest schedule (2024 opponents’ combined winning percentage of .574), were widely expected to be the underdogs league-wide.
When both teams began Week 6 of the 2025 season on Thursday night, they had only taken a slight step back toward average during that time, but now suddenly appear to be in a collision course after the Giants defeated their NFC East rivals 34-17 and Philadelphia suffered back-to-back losses for the first time since the end of the 2023 season.
But there was more going on at MetLife Stadium than the final result on the scoreboard. So let’s break down Thursday’s ancillary winners and losers.
winner
rematch
At a time when the Eagles just won their second Lombardi Trophy and the Giants have meant little since their last Super Bowl win nearly 14 years ago, it looks like these teams may finally have some new energy in the Border Wars. Even if you missed Thursday night’s Ambush of the Champions, you’ll be able to see it again soon against the Giants, who come to Philadelphia in Week 8.
giants rookie
This year, the G-Men were the first team to lose to the New Orleans Saints, but they bounced back in a big way thanks to the rookies responsible for getting the Eagles into the woods. First-round QB Jackson Dart, making his third NFL start, passed for 195 yards and a touchdown and ran for an additional 58 yards and an additional score. Fourth-round RB Cam Skatebo rushed 19 times for 98 yards and 3 TDs. And while the two combined for four of New York’s five turnovers in the loss to New Orleans, they had none on Thursday.
Dart and Skatebo also put on quite the exclamation point when they appeared on Prime Video’s postgame set that night.
“Push push”
The Eagles will obviously continue to make the most of their signature offensive play as long as it’s legal. That included an early 3-yard TD catch from tight end Dallas Goedert after using a modified formation in the passing game (which he also used in Tampa two weeks ago), followed by four consecutive runs starting from the 3-yard line for a touchdown in the second quarter.
brian burns
The Giants pass rusher tied a career high with two of the team’s three sacks of Philadelphia QB Jalen Hurts.
Saquon Barkley?
The former Giants star and 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year stopped an 18-yard run, his longest of the season, on the first play of the game from scrimmage. Barkley also made a (temporary) touchdown-saving tackle in the fourth quarter after Hurts’ interception, but the Giants scored a few plays later. Finally, Prime Video also released its latest NFL documentary, “SAQUON,” on Thursday, so despite the loss and modest production, it was an eventful day for Barkley.
loser
Saquon Barkley?
The former Giants star and 2024 NFL Offensive Player of the Year had 17 runs of at least 20 yards last season, and he rushed for a league-high and career-best 2,005 yards on essentially one run per game during the regular season. After gaining 58 yards on Thursday night, he is on pace for 921 yards this season.
Russell Wilson
“Mr. Unlimited” was limited to two plays in the third quarter when Dart absorbed a body blow while running and had to go to the medical tent. Wilson handed off once and threw an ugly (and incomplete) pass on third down, forcing the Giants to punt, earning another boo-serenading from the Big Blue crowd. Freelance Jamis, Coach Daboll.
eagles defense
Philadelphia was the league’s top unit during its run to the crown last season, but surrendered a season-high 34 points, marred by the early departure of an apparently inactive DT Jalen Carter (heel) and top CB Quinyon Mitchell with a hamstring injury.
Philadelphia’s explosive power
In addition to Barkley’s run to start the game, the Eagles had three completions of 20 yards or more, the longest being a 36-yard run by tight end Dallas Goedert when the game was essentially decided. Not enough. Hurts missed a wide-open DeVonta Smith shot early in the third quarter for what was likely a game-changing 89-yard TD.
AJ… Dillon
Barkley’s backup provided an ugly reminder of why that’s his role. After the Giants led by 17 points with nearly 10 minutes left in the game, Dillon nullified the ensuing kickoff, relegating Philadelphia to its own 5-yard line. He fumbled at the Giants’ 25-yard line on the play after Goedert’s 36-yard catch, putting the game on ice seven snaps later. Games, sets and matches.
AJ…Brown
The Eagles’ receivers ended up having a solid night with six receptions for 80 yards between the lines. But Hurts’ postgame interview with reporters, in which he blandly denied any involvement in meetings with Barkley when this offense wasn’t going well, won’t help the suddenly worrying picture surrounding this team.
Jalen Hurts
In addition to missing Smith, he found Giants cornerback Cordale Flott in the fourth quarter for his first interception on his 305th regular-season pass, ending the league’s longest active clean sheet…and effectively ending the game.
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