3 Takeaways from Giants' Week 18 Win vs. Eagles
The New York Giants took advantage of a porous Philadelphia Eagles defense to finish the NFL regular season with a home victory.
The Giants tore up an Eagles defense that has not looked right in over a month and that led to a 27-point outburst led by Tyrod Taylor and Saquon Barkley.
Barkley ran for 46 yards and a pair of touchdowns in what might have been his final game with the franchise.
Taylor tossed the ball around well in the first half to create separation on the scoreboard, and he gave the Giants a good look at the pass-catching talent that is on the roster.
New York has a bunch of difficult personnel decisions to make in the offseason and that could lead to a completely different set of offensive skill position players on the field for Week 1 of the 2024 campaign.
Saquon Barkley Thrived in Likely Farewell
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Barkley found the end zone on two occasions in what was likely his final appearance in Giants blue.
Barkley, who is an impending free agent, finished off the season with scoring runs of two and three yards to finish off first-half scoring drives.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft did not reach the 1,000-yard mark in Week 18, but he still had a solid farewell at MetLife Stadium.
The Giants will likely get younger at running back in the offseason with players who cost the team less than Barkley's potential free-agent deal would.
That is partially a product of the massive contract the Giants handed out to Daniel Jones last offseason, but it also represents the life span of an NFL running back.
Barkley can still get paid at 26, but the Giants would much rather prefer to have younger, cheaper options on the roster next season to build up to being a playoff team again.
Wan'Dale Robinson Can Be Key Offensive Piece in 2024
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Wan'Dale Robinson improved his stock for next season more than any Giants player expected to be back in 2024 over the last month.
Robinson finished his 2023 campaign with a five-catch, 85-yard performance against the weak Eagles secondary.
The 2022 second-round pick produced three games with at least 50 receiving yards in December and January.
Robinson is one of the few offensive pieces the Giants can actually justify keeping as they retool that part of the roster in the offseason.
The Giants need to land a No. 1 wide receiver either through the NFL draft or free agency, but at least they have a good No. 2 or No. 3 option in place with Robinson.
Defensive Scheme Wreaked Havoc On Eagles
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Philadelphia had trouble dealing with New York's defensive scheme from the start of the contest.
Wink Martindale's unit wreaked havoc on Jalen Hurts and did not allow the Eagles to have a shot at challenging the Dallas Cowboys for the NFC East crown.
Philadelphia pulled its starters in the second quarter once it was apparent it would not win and that Dallas would secure the division title with a win over the Washington Commanders.
The Eagles did not achieve success with Marcus Mariota under center until late in the second half.
The Giants defense finished with five sacks, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries in a performance they can be proud of going into the offseason.
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