The Giants broke a 13-game losing streak at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, beating the Eagles 19-11 to improve to 5-2-1 in the NFC East while Philadelphia fell to 2-7.
The win puts more distance between the two teams atop and at the bottom of the division, and it comes just days before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. trade deadline, when the Giants are expected to look for help at defensive tackle and running back.
Adding a running back is the flashier option, but shoring up the interior defensive line may matter more. When defensive tackle D.J. Reader comes off the field, the Giants’ run defense weakens noticeably, and it gets worse still when both Reader and Shelby Harris are out. The Giants would like an upgrade over Darius Alexander and rookie Bobby Jamison-Travis, who have not done enough to stop the run.
The running game looked rough in Philadelphia. Devin Singletary carried 21 times for just 31 yards, starting only because Cam Skattebo sat out with a hamstring injury and Tyrone Tracy remains on injured reserve. Skattebo could return Thursday night against the Commanders after his best game of the season last week against the Texans. Tracy is expected to miss three more games before he’s eligible to come back.
The Giants reportedly tried to pry running back Jonathan Taylor away from the Indianapolis Colts, offering a 2027 second-round pick and a 2028 fifth-round pick, but the Colts turned it down and have shown no interest in moving him. With Skattebo, Tracy and Singletary all expected back on the roster at various points, the Giants believe they can piece together a workable running game without a trade.
Harbaugh Addresses the Streak
Head coach John Harbaugh is typically willing to discuss almost anything at the podium short of giving away competitive secrets, but last week he declined to engage with questions about the Giants’ 13-game losing streak in Philadelphia, a skid that dates back to 2013 — when Harbaugh was six years into his 18-year tenure as the Ravens’ head coach and had no connection to it.
Several Giants players who have been on the roster for multiple seasons felt the weight of that history, even if Harbaugh didn’t experience it directly. After Sunday’s win, he acknowledged the streak had been on his mind.
“I think it’s a crazy deal,” Harbaugh said. “I think it’s hovering is probably a good word for it. You can’t concern yourself with it as far as getting ready for the game, but now it’s over.”
Ending that run of futility is one more example of why the Giants brought Harbaugh in to begin with — to change the team’s fortunes in moments like this one.
