Few thoughts from the #Giants 19-11 win over the #Eagles, which improved their record to 5-2-1.
- The defense and Dennard Wilson deserve so much credit. Much has been made about the offense, losing Jaxson Dart ... it's easy to forget what the Giants don't have there. No Tremaine Edmunds. No Brian Burns. Questions on the IDL. Questions in the secondary. Doesn't matter. Dennard Wilson, who the Giants might have to fight like hell to keep in 2027, is coaching his ass off. The Eagles finished with just 13 first downs, 220 yards, 3.3 YPP & were 5/18 on third down. Saquon Barkley -- remember him? He had 13 carries for 22 yards and a TD. That's it. Yes, dealing with a hamstring. Still, impressive.
- Arvell Reese is a monster. Not sure I can recall a LB having a more dominant game. CJ Mosley's debut with the #Jets is up there, but he got hurt after the first half. Reese had 12 tackles and three sacks. What impresses me most with him is how when he hits someone ... they just drop.
- I'm warming up to the idea the Giants should trade their 2027 1 for Jonathan Taylor. I know, I know ... it's a lot. But this offense is not sustainable as one dimensional as it is right now. They rushed 31 times for 80 yards (2.6 YPC) versus Philly. And 22 of those yards came from J.J. McCarthy. Not good enough. That first rounder is tracking toward a pick in the 20s. If they win a playoff game .. it's going to be even lower. Is a late fist-round pick worth it for an elite-level back in 2027? Even if he takes a step back in 2028, you're talking about a top-10 player at the position. He makes your QB better ... your OL ... opens up the passing attack. You have to take people out of coverage, shadowing Malik Nabers and Isaiah Likely, when Taylor running. If you don't, Taylor is running against light fronts. It's a win-win.
- McCarthy turned a lot of heads in that locker room returning from a hip injury. There were some questions about his maturity, how much guys liked him in Minnesota. Everyone inside this building loves this guy -- ownership on down. His numbers on Sunday were modest (12/19, 127 yards, 22 rushing yards), but most of his struggles were protection related vs. his own struggles. Vic Fangion, the Eagles DC, didn't forget how to call a game.
- The Giants sit first place in the NFC East at 5-2-1. The Cowboys, who almost lost to the Colts, are 4-5. Then the Commanders (2-5-1). Then the Eagles (2-7). The Giants have the finale of what Harbaugh called a "pivotal" two-game stretch on Thursday night -- a battle with Washington at MetLife. If they can win that, improve to 6-2-1, there's no reason they shouldn't run away with the division. It would be their first title since 2011.