The New York Giants will host their NFC East division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles, on Thursday Night Football this week in a high-stakes Week 6 showdown. These longtime foes will clash twice within 17 days, first in Week 6 and again in Week 8, intensifying the NFC East rivalry.
Both teams enter the matchup on the heels of recent losses. While the Giants sit at 1-4 with just one victory this season, the Eagles boast a strong 4-1 record and remain one of the NFL’s top contenders. As heavy home underdogs, the Giants face a daunting challenge against Philadelphia’s potent offense and stout defense.
Ahead of this pivotal Giants vs. Eagles matchup, here are three major causes for concern.
Eagles’ bounce-back potential following loss
The Eagles have historically dominated the Giants, winning seven of their last eight meetings dating back to 2021 and establishing themselves as perennial NFC East powerhouses. Philadelphia’s recent Sunday defeat snapped a four-game winning streak, but the team has not dropped consecutive games since 2023. Hungry for redemption, the Eagles view this as an ideal “get-right” opportunity against a struggling New York squad. Expect a motivated Philadelphia offense, led by Jalen Hurts, to exploit the Giants’ vulnerabilities and secure a statement victory.
Saquon Barkley returns to MetLife
The Giants will face a familiar and formidable foe in former star running back Saquon Barkley, who signed with the Eagles in free agency last offseason. Barkley capped his debut Philadelphia campaign with a legendary performance in Super Bowl LIX, helping to power the Eagles past the Giants’ rivals, the Kansas City Chiefs. New York’s ongoing struggles against the run — ranking 26th in the league — only amplify the threat. Despite not yet eclipsing 100 rushing yards in a single game this season, Barkley is primed for a breakout effort against his old team, mirroring his explosive 2024 return, where he tallied 176 yards and a touchdown.
Wide receiver void
The Giants’ aerial attack suffered a severe blow when wide receiver sensation Malik Nabers suffered a season-ending injury in Week 5, leaving a glaring void at wide receiver. Opting against midseason reinforcements, New York limped through a lackluster Week 6 preparation with a depleted corps, underscoring the position’s fragility. With a short Thursday turnaround, the Giants must urgently scheme improvements to protect young quarterback Jaxson Dart from Philadelphia’s talented secondary. Without sharper execution and creative play-calling, the Giants’ offense risks being stifled early, dimming any upset hopes in this critical NFC East battle.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: New York Giants vs. Eagles: 3 causes for concern in Week 6
