Oct 9, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) celebrates after a touchdown against the Philadelphia Eagles during the fourth quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium.

The New York Giants grounded the Philadelphia Eagles on "Thursday Night Football."

New York handed its division rival a 34-17 loss in Week 6, an eyebrow-raising, lopsided victory for New York.

It was all working for the Giants on Thursday night: rookie passer Jaxson Dart looked on-target, with a passing touchdown and a rushing touchdown in the win. The much-maligned Giants defense held Jalen Hurts and the rest of the Eagles offense in check.

Most notably, the home crowd felt energized, seeing a team that just might be turning a corner.

Weird things happen in the NFL on Thursday nights all the time, but the result of this game felt a little more real than most: The win showed that the Giants may be finding their footing as an outfit, while the Eagles' flaws not only resurfaced, but were on full display in the thrashing.

So what are the biggest takeaways from this matchup? USA TODAY Sports' NFL experts weigh in below:

Eagles vs. Giants reactions

Beasts of the NFC East?

Is the NFC East headed for a new heyday? This suddenly feels like a moment similar to the 1980s and 1990s when the Cowboys, Giants, Eagles and Washington – RIP, St. Louis Cardinals – were so often concurrently great while sharing immensely nasty and important rivalries that so often had Super Bowl implications. But with Giants rookie QB Jaxson Dart making his NFL prime-time debut in fine style in Thursday night’s upset of Philly, it sure looks like all four teams in the division are now armed with franchise quarterbacks – each with his share of top-end supporting lieutenants … though Dart’s are more like privates. But when these Little Giants get a year of experience, and WR Malik Nabers rejoins Dart, RB Cam Skattebo and LB Abdul Carter in 2026? This could be a helluva divisional free-for-all – hopefully for several years. – Nate Davis

Eagles' wings clipped

This Eagles passing game stinks. There is no creativity, no moving of the pocket for Hurts and no juice from the players. Maybe the Tush Push has taken it out of them. But offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo needs to tap into that imagination if the offense wants any chance of resembling last year’s, because the run game is also still MIA. – Chris Bumbaca

Forget the Liberty Bell – sound the alarm bells

Saquon Barkley, Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown met amid their recent offensive struggles. The entire team needs to have a meeting now.

Philadelphia was thoroughly outplayed in all three phases by the Giants. The Eagles looked out of sorts. The offense lacks explosiveness as they attempt to labor down the field, and the defense couldn’t stop the run or rush the passer without Jalen Carter.

Brian Daboll, Jaxson Dart and the Giants defense deserve a tun of credit. It was a signature victory for Daboll and a performance the team can build upon the rest of the season. – Tyler Dragon

A Giant turning point

This felt like a game the Giants won more than one that the Eagles lost. Jaxson Dart looked poised and made throws in rhythm and off-script. The defense held Eagles receivers in check and pressured Jalen Hurts throughout the night. This is the team that Giants fans expected to see coming out of a hot preseason. One Big Blue question remains – can they maintain the momentum? If they keep playing like this, then it might not be much of a question at all. – Joe Rivera

...Playoffs?

At 2-4, the Giants' wins have come against the defending champions and the previously undefeated Chargers. Rookies Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo will put New York in the wild-card conversation through Thanksgiving and cool off Brian Daboll's seat.

The Eagles need the extra time off after this one to get healthy and sort out what's become a lackluster offense. Jalen Carter's absence hurt the defense and so did guard Landon Dickerson's on offense. Philadelphia's now gone four consecutive games without clearing 100 yards rushing as a team after doing that just once in the regular season and playoffs combined in 2024.

At least A.J. Brown got his targets; Nine in total that yielded six catches for 80 yards. – Ayrton Ostly

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Giants vs Eagles instant reactions: NFL experts weigh in on Philly stumble

Reporting by Nate Davis, Tyler Dragon, Chris Bumbaca, Joe Rivera and Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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