Rookie Upset: Dart and Skattebo Stun Eagles on TNF

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Under the bright lights of Thursday Night Football, the New York Giants didn’t just win a game; they may have redefined their identity. Against a Philadelphia Eagles team that had started the season 4-1 and was still reeling from their first loss, the Giants—led by a stunning performance from their rookie offensive duo—delivered a resounding 34-17 victory at MetLife Stadium.

The win wasn’t a fluke; it was a physical, dominant performance driven by the poise of quarterback Jaxson Dart and the bruising power of running back Cam Skattebo. Together, the two rookies spearheaded an offense that marched down the field with confidence and, most importantly, converted on a staggering 11 of 16 third-down attempts, consistently frustrating the Eagles’ defense.

The Rookie Revelry

Dart, making only his third professional start, was nothing short of brilliant. After a shaky outing the week before, the first-round pick played what many are calling the best game of his young career. While his stat line of 17-of-25 for 195 yards and a touchdown is respectable, it doesn’t capture his impact as a dual-threat weapon.

Dart’s improvisation and athleticism were the clear difference-makers. He finished with 58 rushing yards and a touchdown on nine carries, often scrambling to extend plays or picking up crucial first downs on broken pockets. His 20-yard touchdown run early in the game set the tone, demonstrating his ability to take control when a play breaks down. By the end of the night, Dart joined Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts as the only quarterbacks in the Super Bowl era to record 50+ rushing yards in each of their first three career starts.

But the night truly belonged to the Giants’ physical commitment, embodied by Cam Skattebo. The rookie running back proved unstoppable in the red zone and in short-yardage situations, bulldozing his way to three rushing touchdowns—twice from the 1-yard line and once from four yards out. He amassed 98 yards on 19 carries, leading a Giants rushing attack that totaled 172 yards and relentlessly chewed up the clock.

The Turning Point: Hurts’ Uncharacteristic Error

The game was a back-and-forth affair in the first half, with the Eagles even taking a 17-13 lead late in the second quarter on a patented Jalen Hurts “Tush Push” quarterback sneak. However, the game decisively shifted in the fourth quarter with the Eagles driving to try and keep the score manageable.

With the Giants leading 27-17, the Eagles moved the ball inside the New York 10-yard line. Then, disaster struck for Philadelphia. Quarterback Jalen Hurts, who had gone 305 regular-season attempts without an interception, threw a late and inside pass intended for Jahan Dotson. Giants cornerback Cor’Dale Flott stepped in front of the pass, intercepting it and returning it a momentum-crushing 68 yards deep into Eagles territory.

The turnover led directly to Skattebo’s third touchdown of the night, extending the lead to 34-17 and serving as the “knockout punch” that silenced the road crowd. A subsequent fumble by Eagles running back A.J. Dillon on their next drive sealed Philadelphia’s fate.

Eagles Left Searching for Answers

For the defending champions, the loss marks their second consecutive defeat and drops their record to 4-2, immediately putting pressure on the team during their mini-bye week. The dominant narrative of the Eagles’ early season—a high-powered offense—has been replaced by questions about their consistency and execution.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni, whose message to the team was simply to “Get up and keep fighting,” acknowledged the offensive struggles, particularly on the critical downs. The Eagles converted a dismal 1-of-9 on third down, often finding themselves in unmanageable third-and-long situations. Star quarterback Jalen Hurts finished with 283 yards, a touchdown, and a crucial interception, but a visibly frustrated offense failed to score a single point in the entire second half.

The Giants’ defense, anchored by two sacks from veteran Brian Burns, kept the clamps on the Eagles’ ground game, limiting Saquon Barkley to just 58 yards after his explosive start.

This was more than just a division win for the Giants. It was a statement that their future, powered by the dynamic, fearless play of rookies Dart and Skattebo, might be arriving sooner than anyone expected. The Giants are now 2-4, and while the road is long, the hope in East Rutherford is palpable.