The Philadelphia Eagles take on the New York Giants on Sunday, and I have to ask the question. Do we care at all anymore? If there’s one reason to tune in, it’s quarterback Joe Milton getting the start for Philly. He should at least make this NFC East matchup more entertaining than what we’ve been watching. But here’s the problem. The Giants are 2.5 games ahead of the Eagles, and I can’t believe I’m writing this, but New York is the more polished football team right now.

Look, a new quarterback can only fix so much. And this Eagles team has a lot that needs fixing.

Who is Joe Milton?

If you’re asking yourself who Joe Milton is and what he’s done, you’re not alone. Milton has never started an NFL game. He did see real action with the New England Patriots in Week 18 of the 2024 season, when Drake Maye took the start and Milton took over. He completed 22-of-29 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown, and he ran for another score. He was a sixth-round pick in 2024, and he played five games with the Dallas Cowboys last season.

The arm is a rocket. Nobody questions that. I like his attitude, athleticism, and skill set. But his decision-making has been very questionable, and the real question is whether he can control all of that raw talent.

And let’s be fair here. I don’t think the struggles were all on quarterback Tanner McKee. The offensive line stinks. On top of that, running back Saquon Barkley might be somewhat limited, and who knows if wide receiver DeVonta Smith will even play. The injury reports are so long at this point that I’ve stopped reading them. The Giants might have some key guys out as well, including quarterback Jaxson Dart, but Philly is the team that can’t afford to be shorthanded.

The Giants are simply the better-coached team

New York Giants head coach Jon Harbaugh has done wonders, as he usually does. Now, do I believe the Giants are going to win the Super Bowl? Absolutely not. They are very, very far from that. But they are more prepared, they are better coached, and they play with great fundamentals right now.

New York will start quarterback J.J. McCarthy again this week. McCarthy made his first start for the Giants before their bye week against the Houston Texans, a team that has been up and down. He just operated within offensive coordinator Matt Nagy’s system and did what he was asked to do. He went 20-of-28 with no touchdown passes and no interceptions, completing 71% of his throws. I expect more of the same Sunday, because the Eagles defense can’t stop anybody.

The matchup that really worries me is up front. The Giants are second in the league in blitz percentage, and I fully expect them to throw the kitchen sink at Milton to try to confuse him. Here’s the funny part, though. New York is last in the league in sacks despite all that blitzing. That tells you the pressure isn’t really getting home.

But this is the Eagles’ offensive line we’re talking about. Anybody can get to the quarterback against that group. Milton is more mobile than McKee, who can’t move at all, and that should help. Still, I think he could put the ball in harm’s way. Philadelphia simply can’t turn it over and give New York a short field. And if the offense keeps going three-and-out, the defense will trot right back out there and get worn down. That unit is already not playing well.

The Giants rank 13th in offense and 10th in defense. Is that a juggernaut? No. Is it better than what the Eagles are putting on the field? Absolutely.

Prediction: The losing streak continues

I just can’t pick the Eagles to beat anybody right now, ladies and gentlemen. Simple as that. This will be a sloppy game and a close game for at least a bit. Maybe the Eagles actually score in the second half for once. Milton will make it a lot more entertaining, and both teams will be down a lot of players, but the Giants just have a little bit more. With the way Philly has come out with zero execution, I don’t see a win here.

I think New York pulls away late and wins this one 27-14, and the Eagles’ losing streak continues. Unfortunately. Or maybe fortunately, depending on how you look at it. Another loss could push Philadelphia into the trade deadline as a seller, flipping veterans for value and climbing toward a higher draft pick. That’s where we are with this team, and it stings to say it about a group that still has this much talent.