The Philadelphia Eagles continued their dominance over the New York Giants with a 20-13 victory in Week 18, even while resting key starters like Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. This win marked the Eagles’ 96th in the historic rivalry, extending their lead in the series to 96–89–2 .
In a significant development, the NFL owners voted on the controversial “tush push” play—a quarterback sneak aided by teammates pushing from behind. The proposal to ban the play required 24 votes to pass but fell short with only 22 in favor, allowing the Eagles to continue utilizing this effective strategy . Jalen Hurts has notably benefited from this play, with a substantial number of his 55 career rushing touchdowns coming from short-yardage situations .
Looking ahead, the Giants aim to bolster their defense against such plays. The addition of rookie defensive tackle Darius Alexander, alongside veteran Dexter Lawrence, strengthens their interior line . Furthermore, the inclusion of edge rusher Abdul Carter and enhancements in the secondary are expected to improve their defensive resilience
Beyond the field, the NFL introduced the “Protector of the Year” award to honor the league’s top offensive lineman, recognizing the crucial role these players play in team success . Additionally, the Giants are set to feature in the upcoming in-season edition of HBO’s “Hard Knocks,” focusing on the NFC East division.