Takeaways: Process Eagles finish regular season with 20-13 victory over the New York Little Giants

In a game that felt more like a preseason exhibition than a Week 18 matchup, the Eagles handled the New York Giants 20-13 while resting most of their key players.

With the Birds locked into the NFC’s No. 2 seed, this one was about keeping stars healthy, evaluating depth, and, most importantly, laughing at the current state of the Giants.

Watch to watch in the ‘Process Eagles’ regular season finale against the New York Giants

Tanner McKee Makes His Case

Tanner McKee. Philly’s third-string quarterback continues to impress anytime he’s given an opportunity. He did it again on Sunday behind a backup offensive line and without A.J. Brown or DeVonta Smith.

McKee was poised, going 7-for-9 for 92 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter alone.

You always remember your 1st TD 🕺@ainias_smith | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/w0O99SlIe5

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 5, 2025

McKee’s calm presence in the pocket and his ability to make throws without elite weapons around him is something the Eagles need to seriously consider when planning for the playoffs.

Kenny Pickett, who gutted out a gritty performance last week against Dallas, dressed but was listed as the emergency QB3 but if the Birds want to roll with the hotter hand, McKee should be the backup heading into the playoffs.

The Eagles might also have an offseason decision on their hands. With Pickett nearing the end of his rookie deal, moving him for a draft pick and making McKee the clear No. 2 behind Jalen Hurts seems like a smart move. But for now, McKee has proven he deserves a closer look, especially if disaster strikes during the playoffs.

Dallas Goedert Shakes Off the Rust

Coming off an injury, Dallas Goedert looked sharp. The Eagles’ star tight end hauled in four catches for 55 yards, developing a nice rhythm with McKee early. Goedert’s blend of physicality and finesse remains a key weapon for this offense. Getting him some game action ahead of the playoffs was a calculated move, and it appears to have paid off.

Will Shipley Shows a Flash

Will Shipley hasn’t had much of a role behind Saquon Barkley and Kenny Gainwell this season, but he showed some juice in this game. Gainwell’s impending free agency could open the door for Shipley to step into the RB2 spot next season.

While Shipley has potential, the Eagles would be wise to target a traditional power back in the draft to complement Barkley. For now, Shipley looks like a solid depth piece who can fill in when needed.

Vic Fangio’s Scheme or Giants’ Ineptitude?

The Eagles’ defense was dominant, even with backups getting most of the snaps. Was this a testament to Vic Fangio’s brilliance, or just another example of the Giants being a complete mess? Probably both.

New York’s offense looked like it was running a preseason tryout rather than an NFL game. With only Jordan Davis and Milton Williams playing significant minutes among the Eagles’ key defenders, the Giants couldn’t muster anything meaningful.

A @Sydbrown___ game-clinching interception 🙂‍↕️ pic.twitter.com/mSZlwwo14Y

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) January 5, 2025

To be clear: These are supposed to be professionals fighting for their jobs, and yet they looked utterly lost.

It’s a testament to Fangio’s system that even with backups, the Eagles were able to suffocate an NFL team (if you can call the Giants that right now).

Speaking of the New York Little Giants Dumpster Fire…

How did the Colts give up 45 points to this team last week? Watching the Giants struggle to execute even basic plays was borderline comical. Yes, this game helped them with draft positioning, but the gap between these two franchises feels monumental. It’s hard to see how New York crawls out of this hole anytime soon.

The Eagles will rest up and prepare for a playoff game at Lincoln Financial Field next weekend. Their opponent? A loss by the Green Bay Packers today means Philly will host Jordan Love (or Malik Willis) and the Packers in the Wild Card round.

Jordan Love and Christian Watson exit with injuries, Packers face uncertainty heading into the playoffs

For now, the Eagles can feel good about their depth and their ability to handle business even with backups. The Giants, meanwhile, head into the offseason as a case study in organizational dysfunction.

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