The Giants.com crew reacts to the team's 13-7 victory over the Eagles in Week 12:
John Schmeelk: There are no style points in the NFL. When a team wins a game, especially against a division rival, it is a good day. It doesn't matter that the Eagles outgained the Giants by 68 yards or that Jalen Reagor had two chances to make potential game-winning catches on Philadelphia's final drive. The Giants were able to take advantage of another team's mistakes and come away with a victory.
That's not to say the Giants didn't contribute to some of those Eagles mistakes, including their four turnovers. Interceptions have to be caught by defensive backs, and fumbles forced and recovered. Football is a weird sport. Teams play well or poorly week to week. Half the battle for teams is winning games when the opponent presents those opportunities. The Giants took advantage of those on Sunday and won the game.
Dan Salomone: The biggest takeaway from Sunday is the upward trajectory of Xavier McKinney. From one to another, Saquon Barkley said after the game that the second-year safety is a "superstar who's only going to get better throughout this league." Much was made this offseason about stockpiling playmakers on offense, but they need them on defense, too. McKinney, who accounted for one of the defense's four takeaways against the Eagles, has five interceptions this season. McKinney also led the team in tackles with veteran Logan Ryan sidelined for a second consecutive game due to COVID protocols. Coach Joe Judge mentioned after the game that part of the process in the first half of the season was trying to find the best spots for players. They found the perfect places across the board on Sunday, especially for McKinney.
"One thing we've really found with him is this guy can do a lot of things close to the line of scrimmage," Judge said. "He can cover man, he can play underneath as a robber, he does all those things very well. The one thing he really does exceptionally well is playing the deep part of the field. That's where he's made a lot of plays right now. He plays with very good vision, very good instincts. He's very intelligent. He understands what he's seen earlier in that game as well as on tape to kind of go ahead and calculate the formation along with the personnel and how they're using it, what they're going to get to. He plays with good discipline on the backend of the field. He's made a lot of plays by sitting back there, letting the play develop and then he, obviously, has the skillset physically to make those breaks and finish with those catches."
Lance Medow: In college football, style points are a big part of measuring teams. It's not just about winning but how you go about accomplishing that feat. In the NFL, those factors don't come into play. You don't get brownie points on top of a victory. The Giants didn't pick up any style points in Sunday's win over the Eagles. It wasn't pretty but they did enough to get the job done and also witnessed an opponent struggling with what has plagued them at times: the accumulation of self-inflicted wounds or mental mishaps.
The Eagles turned the ball over four times. Jalen Hurts threw three interceptions and Boston Scott lost a fumble. Throw in a pair of turnovers on downs and Philadelphia wound up with nothing to show on six of its 10 possessions. The Eagles were able to move the ball (332 total yards including 208 rushing) but they had more empty possessions than ones that led to actual production. That was certainly a product of both their own decisions and the Giants defense. The takeaways proved to be crucial, especially at the end of the first half when the Eagles walked away with no points despite putting together a 15-play, 92-yard drive.
While Philly ran the ball effectively, Hurts still attempted 31 passes and that was the most times he's put the ball in the air since he made 34 throws in Las Vegas in Week 7. From Weeks 8 through 11, his totals were 14, 17, 23 and 24, respectively. The more times a quarterback throws, the more chances for the defense to capitalize and the latter happened more often than not thanks to several opportunistic plays. It's also important to note that on a day when Hurts attempted a high volume of throws, his top target on the season coming in, DeVonta Smith, only had two catches for 22 yards and tight end Dallas Goedert finished with one reception for no gain.
The defense bent a few times but didn't break. With that being said, the offense has now scored 20 points or fewer in eight of their 11 games this season and that has put pressure on the defense. In a game when the Giants were plus-four in turnover differential, they only won by six points and it came down to a potential dropped touchdown reception by Jalen Reagor in the final seconds.
View all the action from the Giants' Week 12 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones throws under pressure during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Evan Engram (88), right, makes a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley, center, gets a hand off during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, bottom, is tackled by New York Giants' Reggie Ragland during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones slides during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Evan Engram, right, makes a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones runs with the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Evan Engram, second from left, makes a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Evan Engram, right, makes a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants Pharoh Cooper, left, makes a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) gestures during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, right, hands off to Saquon Barkley during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge talks to his players during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Philadelphia Eagles defenders tackle New York Giants' John Ross, center, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge talks to his players during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Darius Slayton, right, makes a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Philadelphia Eagles' Steven Nelson, left, forces New York Giants' Saquon Barkley out of bounds during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Adoree' Jackson during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Philadelphia Eagles' Miles Sanders, center, is swallowed up by New York Giants defenders during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants cornerback Darnay Holmes (30) reacts with teammates after an interception against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes under pressure from New York Giants defensive end Leonard Williams (99) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants wide receiver John Ross (12) runs against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) passes against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones (8) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Steve Luciano)
New York Giants Pharoh Cooper, right, tries to make a catch during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants defenders tackle Philadelphia Eagles' Boston Scott, center, during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Darnay Holmes during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, center, looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Tae Crowder (48) celebrates his interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) against the Philadelphia Eagles during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
New York Giants' Tae Crowder (48) celebrates his interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Tae Crowder (48) celebrates his interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Former New York Giants player Michael Strahan during a halftime ceremony at an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Former New York Giants player Michael Strahan during a halftime ceremony at an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Former New York Giants player Michael Strahan during a halftime ceremony at an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Former New York Giants player Michael Strahan jumps in the air during a halftime ceremony at an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Former New York Giants player Michael Strahan jumps in the air during a halftime ceremony at an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Former New York Giants player Michael Strahan during a halftime ceremony at an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Kenny Golladay during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Former New York Giants player Michael Strahan during a halftime ceremony at an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Former New York Giants player Michael Strahan, right, is honored during a halftime ceremony at an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Former New York Giants player Michael Strahan during a halftime ceremony at an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Former New York Giants player Michael Strahan, left, greets former Giants coach Tom Coughlin during a halftime ceremony at an NFL football game between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Tae Crowder, left, makes an interception during the first half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Kenny Golladay during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Xavier McKinney, right, trips up Philadelphia Eagles' Dallas Goedert (88) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Xavier McKinney, left, intercepts a ball intended for Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Reagor (18) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Xavier McKinney, left, intercepts a ball intended for Philadelphia Eagles' Jalen Reagor (18) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Chris Myarick (41) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Chris Myarick (41) celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Chris Myarick (41), second from right, celebrates his touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
Philadelphia Eagles' Avonte Maddox, right, tries to bring down New York Giants' Saquon Barkley during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
The Philadelphia Eagles, left, line ups against the New York Giants during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
S Julian Love
New York Giants' Devontae Booker runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Evan Engram, right, runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Evan Engram, center, runs with the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones looks to throw during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants kicker Graham Gano, right, kicks a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Andrew Thomas during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Philadelphia Eagles' Boston Scott, bottom right, fumbles the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants kicker Graham Gano, right, kicks a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley, left, makes a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants' Julian Love reacts after recovering a fumble during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Teammates celebrate with New York Giants' Julian Love (20), bottom center, after he recovered a fumble during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
RB Saquon Barkley
New York Giants Pharoh Cooper runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants Pharoh Cooper runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
Philadelphia Eagles' Boston Scott, bottom right, fumbles the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. The Giants recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
T Andrew Thomas
DL Leonard Williams
New York Giants' Aaron Robinson (33), right, celebrates with teammates after breaking up a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)
New York Giants head coach Joe Judge talks to players before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Raymond Johnson III before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley warms-up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley warms-up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Leonard Williams before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants' Saquon Barkley warms-up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
New York Giants quarterback Daniel Jones warms-up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/John Munson)
QB Daniel Jones
CB Darnay Holmes
QB Daniel Jones
WR Pharoh Cooper
QB Daniel Jones
QB Daniel Jones
RB Saquon Barkley
QB Daniel Jones
RB Saquon Barkley, WR John Ross
S Xavier McKinney
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Kenny Golladay
LB Tae Crowder
S Xavier McKinney
TE Evan Engram
WR Darius Slayton
QB Daniel Jones
S Julian Love
LB Tae Crowder
CB Adoree' Jackson
LB Azeez Ojulari
T Andrew Thomas
LS Casey Kreiter, P Riley Dixon, K Graham Gano
T Matt Peart
QB Daniel Jones
T Andrew Thomas
QB Daniel Jones
QB Daniel Jones
LB Tae Crowder
CB Darnay Holmes
QB Daniel Jones
WR Darius Slayton
QB Daniel Jones
RB Saquon Barkley
LB Tae Crowder
QB Daniel Jones
WR Darius Slayton
S Xavier McKinney
WR Kenny Golladay
WR Kenny Golladay
QB Daniel Jones
LS Casey Kreiter
RB Saquon Barkley
WR Darius Slayton
CB Darnay Holmes
DB Steven Parker
T Andrew Thomas, G Ben Bredeson, QB Mike Glennon
TE Chris Myarick
LB Quincy Roche, DL Raymond Johnson III
K Graham Gano
CB Darnay Holmes
LB Tae Crowder
G Will Hernandez
LB Reggie Ragland
TE Evan Engram
WR Collin Johnson
