Eagles at Giants: 6 things to watch for in season finale

The Eagles (11-5) and Giants (5-11) will meet for the second time in three weeks, with both teams having something to gain and a lot to lose.

A Philadelphia win and Dallas loss to Washington would give Nick Sirianni’s team the NFC East and a viable shot at the No. 2 seed.

For the Giants, a loss increases the chances for a top-three pick in the 2024 NFL draft.

With kickoff fast approaching, we’re looking at six things to watch in this must-see Week 18 season finale from MetLife Stadium.

How will Eagles cope without DeVonta Smith

Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

After going over 1,000 yards for the second straight year, DeVonta Smith will miss his first regular-season NFL game.

How will Philadelphia handle the wide receiver snaps opposite A.J. Brown? Julio Jones and Olamide Zaccheaus could see an uptick in snaps, while Quez Watkins is also back in the lineup.

Eagles defense heading into playoffs with confidence

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – DECEMBER 18: Philadelphia Eagles coach Matt Patricia looks on before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on December 18, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

The Eagles will have Darius Slay, Avonte Maddox, and Zach Cunningham in the lineup when they enter the postseason, but can Matt Patricia’s defense produce a standout effort in Week 18 that’ll allow this group to enter the playoffs with confidence?

Eagles-Cowboys on opposite channels

Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Hoping to cash in on the Week 18 NFL chaos, the Cowboys will be featured on FOX, while the Eagles matchup against the Giants will be featured on CBS Sports.

Two double headers during the early and afternoon portions of the schedule, and fans can follow both teams simultaneously.

Hurts on a record chase

Dec 31, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) passes for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Arizona Cardinals at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

There are milestones and incentives to reach on Sunday, and the Eagles’ quarterback needs 58 total yards to break his single-season franchise record for total yards from scrimmage (4,461 in 2022), he needs 237 passing yards to top Carson Wentz’s Eagles record of 4,039 set in 2019, and Hurts needs 2 rushing touchdowns to tie LeSean McCoy’s franchise record of 17, set in 2011.

Possible end of an era

(Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Fletcher Cox will make his 189th regular season appearance with the Eagles, joining Brandon Graham and Jason Kelce on the list.

They are now 1st, 2nd, and 3rd on Philadelphia’s all-time list and could be playing their final game at MetLife.

Rashaad Penny snaps

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

No player wants to waste an entire season in their prime, but that’s what Rashaad Penny did when he signed with the Eagles.

Penny, 27, thought he would be a key contributor in the Eagles backfield. But the team’s trade for D’Andre Swift has led to him playing in just two games this season.

Penny has just five carries for 17 yards and one reception for 5 yards on the season, and Sunday seems like the perfect time to let him breathe.