Analysis: Eagles, Tanner McKee missed one goal vs Giants. Will it cost them in playoffs?
PHILADELPHIA − As far as meaningless finales go, the Eagles got everything they wanted out of it, except for one thing.
The 20-13 victory over the hapless New York Giants on Sunday was irrelevant to accomplishing the Eagles' goals heading into the playoffs next weekend.
The Eagles (14-3), who tied the franchise record for wins in a season with 14 originally set two years ago, came into the game locked into the No. 2 seed. They will host a playoff game next weekend against the No. 7 seed Green Bay Packers.
So the Eagles were able to rest their key players, including Jalen Hurts (concussion), running back Saquon Barkley, who was deprived a chance of going after the NFL single-season rushing record, and several others.
"We were able to kind of create our own bye-week, I guess to say, after not having a bye-week since Week 5, so that’s good," Eagles coach Nick Sirianni said. "Any time you can get the guys rest this late in the season ... it’s a long season. Every game is so, so important. It’s huge to be able to do that."
At the same time, the Eagles were able to get work for many backups and deep reserves who would be in proverbial mothballs at this time of year.
That included third-string QB Tanner McKee, who made his first NFL start and went 27-for-41 for 269 yards and 2 TDs. Backup QB Kenny Pickett didn't play because of a ribs injury.
"It's huge, just seeing how fast the game is, seeing the different looks that people are going to give you, different checks," McKee said. "You can do a lot of walkthroughs and a lot of practice, but there is a little bit of difference in the game, the adrenaline and what's on the line and things like that.
"So, it is nice to kind of have that under my belt. And I think ultimately, for me, it just builds confidence, which is great."
And who knows? Hurts is still in the concussion protocol, although Sirianni said "he's progressing." Sirianni said Hurts did attend the team's walkthrough Saturday, which is a sign that he might be cleared to practice this week.
In addition, Kenny Pickett sat out with a rib injury. So it's possible that McKee could move up to backup if Hurts is able to play. And he acquitted himself well.
"You see Tanner McKee just throwing dimes all over the field?" said center Cam Jurgens, who joined the starting offensive line on the sidelines. "It’s fun to watch. We get to see him dice up our scout team. It’s just fun watching him go out there and make plays."
But there was one cause for concern from the game, and it is potentially a big one heading into the postseason.
That came in the first minute of the second quarter when Jake Elliott missed a field goal from 39 yards. Elliott was already having a miserable season, having made 78.8% of his chances, including just 1-for-6 from 50 yards or more.
So a 39-yarder should have been seen as basically a confidence booster heading into the postseason. Sure, the wind was swirling at about 19 mph. But the Eagles faced a 4th-and-4 from the 21, and Elliott has kicked in those conditions before.
In fairness, Elliott did make two field goals later in the game − from 24 and 32 yards − and both of his extra points.
"We didn't lose any faith in him," Sirianni said. "He went out and ripped two that we needed right after that. Yeah, it happens in this game."
Still, maybe in the postseason, the Eagles will think twice about kicking in that situation.
As for the game, tight end Dallas Goedert was able to get some work in the game. Goedert was activated from injured reserve Saturday after missing the required four games with a knee injury.
Goedert played the first two series to shake off the cobwebs. He caught 4 passes for 55 yards, then took a seat for the rest of the game.
On defense, tackle Jordan Davis and edge rusher Bryce Huff played well into the second half. Huff, the Eagles' big free agent signing, came off IR and needed the work.
In all, the Eagles held the Giants (3-14), who were playing their starters (relatively speaking) to 238 yards, which included Malik Nabers' tight-roping 45-yard TD catch in the fourth quarter.
Linebacker Oren Burks led the way with 17 tackles and rookie Jeremiah Trotter added 11. They played in place of starters Zack Baun and Nakobe Dean.
"I’ve really enjoyed playing with Trott," Burks said. "I’ve been really impressed with him this year as a rookie. And getting these opportunities, you have to take advantage of them and I feel he’s done that every time he’s gotten in, just knowing what he’s doing."
Rookie wide receiver Ainias Smith and tight end EJ Jenkins caught their first career touchdowns, third wide receiver Jahan Dotson had his best game as an Eagle with 7 catches for 94 yards as A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith sat out.
And rookie running back Will Shipley, getting his most significant playing time by far, had 10 carries for 32 yards.
Heck, McKee even ran the tush push, drawing the Giants offsides on one and converting another in the fourth quarter after the Giants had cut the Eagles 17-3 lead to four points.
Soon after, the Eagles ran out most of the remaining 7:21 of the game, with a big assist from the Giants, who committed a neutral zone infraction on 4th-and 3 with 2 minutes left, followed by a roughing the passer penalty, giving the Eagles two first downs.
The real season begins next weekend and the Eagles will be rested − and mostly healthy and worry-free − to face the Packers. The Eagles beat Green Bay 34-29 on Sept. 6 in Brazil. Four months later, they'll see the Packers again.
So much has changed, for both teams.
"This is an evolved defense from that first game," Davis said. "This is a different defense, it’s a different look that they’re going to see. It’s a different type of mindset that we have. It’s a different feel that we have on defense that the Packers haven’t seen.
"I just believe that when we go out there, and do what we’re supposed to do ... it shouldn’t even be close."
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl.