EAST RUTHERFORD – In his six years with the New York Giants, Saquon Barkley was often perceived as the centerpiece of the team’s offense, the primary threat capable of challenging opposing defenses. On Sunday afternoon, the tables turned as Barkley donned the Philadelphia Eagles jersey during his return to MetLife Stadium, contributing to the Giants’ struggles in a 28-3 defeat.
The Giants, led by quarterback Daniel Jones, struggled throughout the game despite the return of receiver Malik Nabers. Jones appeared hesitant to throw, a likely result of an offensive line that faltered in the absence of star left tackle Andrew Thomas, who is out for the season due to recent surgery.
Josh Ezeudu stepped in for Thomas, marking a significant change in the lineup with only seven weeks into the season. Unfortunately, Ezeudu was quickly overwhelmed, allowing the Eagles to sack Jones a total of eight times.
This highly anticipated matchup had been a focal point for both teams since Barkley’s departure from the Giants to sign with the Eagles. The last time Barkley played in this rivalry was during the regular season finale in January 2023, where he helped secure a win for the Giants. His exit from the Giants, which was captured on the “Hard Knocks” series, had heightened the drama surrounding his return, particularly after Giants co-owner John Mara expressed concern over Barkley joining their rivals.
On Sunday, Barkley faced consistent boos from Giants fans each time he touched the ball, but he answered the crowd’s jeers with an impressive performance, finishing with 176 rushing yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. His standout moments included explosive runs of 55 and 38 yards.
The Giants’ offense continued to struggle, as Jones ultimately handed over the reins to Drew Lock for the remainder of the game, completing 14 of 21 passes for just 99 yards. This has raised questions about whether Giants head coach Brian Daboll will consider a quarterback change ahead of their upcoming game against the Steelers.
With only 10 touchdowns so far this season, the Giants sit near the bottom of the NFL rankings for scoring. Averaging just over 14 points per game, their performance has been particularly dismal at home, having won no games at MetLife this year. Their lackluster effort against the Eagles highlighted critical issues such as energy and engagement that often plague losing teams.
Injuries have compounded the Giants’ woes; several key players, including Thomas and Kayvon Thibodeaux, are unavailable. As Barkley showcased the talent that made him a top draft pick, the Giants find themselves at a crucial crossroads this season.
Other notable moments included Jalen Hurts scoring on a one-yard run, extending the Eagles’ lead to 21-3 as Barkley surpassed the 130-yard rushing mark. In the first half, the Giants faced frustration when a potential touchdown was nullified due to offensive pass interference, ultimately settling for a 38-yard field goal to score their only points of the game.
Overall, the opening quarter featured sloppy play from both teams, but the Eagles established dominance as the game progressed. The Giants’ offensive struggles, compounded by key injuries, present a challenging outlook as they prepare for upcoming games.