Instant Analysis: Giants fall to Eagles, 28-3

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT THE DEFENSE

Despite missing practice time this week, defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence (hip), outside linebacker Brian Burns (groin), and safety Dane Belton (illness) were active against Philadelphia. All three were listed as questionable heading into Sunday.

Cornerback Adoree’ Jackson appeared on Thursday’s injury report with a neck issue and was ruled out for Sunday.

Saquon Barkley, the player with the most rushing yards in the history of MetLife Stadium, returned to his former home for the first time since signing with the Eagles. On his first touch, he was greeted by Lawrence, who served alongside Barkley as co-captains and had the running back as a guest at his wedding over the offseason, after a one-yard gain.

Barkley eventually broke through with a 55-yard run in the second quarter, setting up his own three-yard touchdown run a few plays later. He got going from there and finished with 176 yards on 17 carries.

Entering Week 7, the Giants’ league-leading 26 sacks was their highest total through six games since they had 30 in 1985. The Giants were also on pace to finish the season with 73 sacks, which would easily break the franchise record of 68, set in 1985. The NFL single-season record is 72, set by the 1984 Chicago Bears.

Shane Bowen’s unit kept up the pace with five sacks on Sunday by Lawrence (2.0), Burns (1.0), Azeez Ojulari (1.0), and Tomon Fox (1.0).

The Giants limited the Eagles to just one third-down conversion on 12 attempts, but Philadelphia was successful on all three of its fourth-down conversions.

Lawrence, a two-time Pro Bowler, has already established a career-high in sacks with 9.0 in seven games. His previous best was 7.5 in 2022.

Ojulari has three sacks in two games since Kayvon Thibodeaux landed on injured reserve after undergoing wrist surgery.

WHAT WE LEARNED ABOUT SPECIAL TEAMS

Left-footed punter Jamie Gillan missed his second consecutive game with a hamstring injury on his kicking leg. Matt Haack filled in and punted a career-high 10 times.

Greg Joseph, who missed both of his field goal attempts last week, made his lone try from 38 yards on Sunday.

PHI: OT Mekhi Becton (concussion), LB Zack Baun (shoulder)

NYG: LB Ty Summers (ankle), CB Cor’Dale Flott (groin)

PHI: QB Tanner McKee, CB Eli Ricks, OT Darian Kinnard, G Trevor Keegan, TE Dallas Goedert, DT Byron Young

NYG: OT Christopher Hubbard, P Jamie Gillan, CB Adoree’ Jackson, S Anthony Johnson, OLB Boogie Basham, QB (3rd) Tommy DeVito

PHI: OT Jordan Mailata (placed on Reserve/Injured), T/G Jack Driscoll (standard elevation from practice squad), S Sydney Brown (activated from Reserve/Physically Unable to Perform list)

NYG: OT Andrew Thomas (placed on Reserve/Injured), OT Christopher Hubbard (free agent signing from San Francisco’s practice squad), OLB Tomon Fox (standard elevation from practice squad)