The Philadelphia Eagles are set to face the New York Giants for the first time in the 2020s decade*. They are coming off of an impressive 16-4 record against the Giants in the 2010s, sweeping them three straight times and in five of the last six seasons. Their dominance in recent years helped them take the lead in overall wins in the historic 87-year rivalry (88-86-2)*. *UPDATE: After their win against the Giants in Week 7, the Eagles now lead the all-time series 89-86-2.
There have been plenty of players over the years who stepped up their play when the Giants were on the field. In this article, we will take a look at Eagles of past and present who have earned the title of "Giants Killers."
Joe Scarpati
He only played against them four times, but Scarpati came up big in those games, picking off a total of four passes. In a game in 1966, the safety picked three passes off, which is still tied for the 2nd-most in a game in Eagles history.
Nick Foles
He wasn't given many games against them, but the few times he did face the Giants Foles played lights out. In three games he was under center, the Eagles went 3-0, while Foles himself threw for 682 yards and eight touchdowns with just two interceptions.
DeSean Jackson
This is the obvious one. Of course, the most memorable moment in Eagles-Giants history (at least from a Philadelphian's point-of-view) is The Miracle at the New Meadowlands, when DeSean Jackson recorded the only walk-off punt return touchdown in NFL history. That wasn't the only game against the Giants where Jackson came up big. He also had a game in 2009 where he recorded six receptions for 178 receiving yards and a touchdown (also 83 punt return yards and a punt return touchdown). Going into the 2020 season Jackson has 69 receptions for 1,109 receiving yards and six touchdowns in 18 regular-season games against the Giants; he also added one rushing touchdown and two punt return touchdowns.*
UPDATE: Jackson recorded three receptions for 34 yards in the Week 7 win over the Giants.
Brian Westbrook
Westbrook made a big splash in the rivalry pretty early in his career. In 2003 (his third game against the Giants), he recorded one of the other miracles that happened over the Giants when he returned a punt for a touchdown late in the 4th-Quarter of a tied game to secure a victory. Westbrooks was solid overall all-time against the Giants. In 12 regular-season games against them, he recorded 841 rushing yards (70/game) and added seven rushing touchdowns. He also caught 46 passes for 462 yards and five receiving scores. In the two playoff games against New York, he recorded 204 all-purpose yards and one rushing touchdown.
Herm Edwards
Who could forget that magical play at the Meadowlands that still haunts Giants fans to this day? The Miracle at the Meadowlands happened in 1978, and for seven years after that play, Edwards still terrorized New York whenever the Eagles played them. In total Edwards played in 18 games against the Giants with the Eagles, recording seven interceptions and two touchdowns.
Jake Elliott
Yes, a kicker can be considered a Giant Killer too. He burst onto the rivalry's scene in 2017 with a 61-yard game-winning field goal as time expired (longest kick in Eagles history). That kick propelled the Eagles to a 2-1 record early in the year and sparked a run that put the Eagles at 13-3 and an eventual Super Bowl title. Elliott has performed well in his other games against New York, making 12 of his 15 field goals in six games against them (The Eagles are also 6-0 in those games).*
*UPDATE: He went 1-for-2 on field goal tries in the Week 7 win over the Giants. The Eagles are now 7-0 against the Giants ever since Elliott joined the team.
LeSean McCoy
In 12 games, he recorded 1,036 rushing yards on 199 attempts, good for a 5.2 YPC margin. He also added 42 receptions for 254 yards.
Harold Jackson
In seven games, he registered 695 yards and four touchdowns. In four of those seven games he recorded more than 125 receiving yards. Jackson's 194-yards against the Giants in 1970 are still the 9th-most in a game in Eagles history.
Zach Ertz
Ertz always seems to show up in rivalry games. In 13 games against the Giants, Ertz has caught 70 passes for 807 yards and seven touchdowns. He has recorded at least one touchdown in the last five games against the Giants.
Tommy McDonald
McDonald caught 58 passes for 1,145 yards and 12 touchdowns in 15 games against the Giants. He had two epic games against the Giants. In 1959 he scored four total touchdowns against them (three receiving, one punt return). Then in 1961, he set the Eagles record for most receiving yards in a game with 237 yards -- a record that still holds to this day.
Boston Scott
Scott has only played in two games against the Giants, but he has earned the right to be called a Giant Killer for his performances in both games. In the first game against them, he was instrumental in the Eagles offense being able to complete a comeback to win in overtime. That win sprung the Eagles to win four consecutive divisional games to end the season and clinch the NFC East title. The second game was Week 17 to help clinch the actual division crown. In those two games, Scott produced 113 yards, four rushing touchdowns, 10 receptions, and 153 receiving yards. He only has five career touchdowns, so 80% of them have come thanks to the Giants*.
*UPDATE: -- Boston Scott’s TD was his 10th against the Giants Sunday and his ninth rushing. Only four players in NFL history have more career rushing TDs vs. the Giants: Emmitt Smith [21], Philly’s Leroy Kelly [14] and Jim Brown [12] – all Hall of Famers - and Larry Brown [12]. Only 11 players overall have more TDs vs. the Giants than Scott. The only Eagles with more are Brian Westbrook [13], Timmy Brown [11] and Tommy McDonald [11].
Eli Manning
Yes, the starting quarterback of the Giants for 15 seasons was a Giant killer himself. In 31 regular-season games against the Eagles, Manning's teams have produced just a 10-21 record with him under center. In those 31 games, Manning threw 34 interceptions. When he had chances to redeem himself against the Birds in the postseason, Manning faltered again -- he posted an 0-2 record and threw three interceptions.
