Jordan Raanan, ESPN Staff Writer December 21, 2023, 6:00 a.m. ET
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- Jordan Raanan is a reporter for NFL Nation at ESPN. Raanan covers the New York Giants. You can follow him on Twitter @JordanRaanan.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – Sunday's 24-6 loss in New Orleans looked all too familiar for the New York Giants. It was the same old story – a barrage of sacks allowed, an incompetent offense, the lack of a pass rush – all led to a blowout loss.
The loss ended any dream of a miracle playoff berth. It also slowed the Tommy DeVito train and reignited the discussion about potentially taking a quarterback in the draft. It has taken the air out of the last three games, including this week's Christmas Day matchup against the rival Philadelphia Eagles.
According to ESPN Analytics, the Giants (5-9) now have a 0.1% chance of making the playoffs. What's even more remarkable is that, as of this writing, they have a 58 percent chance of going top five in the 2024 NFL Draft. They are even still in the race for a spot in the top two and will be heavy underdogs in each of their final three games against the Los Angeles Rams and Eagles, whom they play twice.
The Giants will play the Eagles on Monday afternoon for little more than pride and draft positioning while the entire nation watches the game in prime time.
“We are all professionals. Get ready to play. That’s our job,” said coach Brian Daboll. “I’m looking forward to the opportunity to play [Monday].”
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There is still a lot for DeVito to play for in the final three weeks.
This is a rivalry that the Eagles have dominated for years. They have won 16 of the last 19 games. Philadelphia is an organization that the Giants have been following for much of the last decade, especially this offseason following a 38-7 playoff loss at Philadelphia earlier this year.
“There's a talent gap that we need to close,” general manager Joe Schoen said after last season about the entire NFC East and the Eagles in particular.
So far it doesn't look promising. But these teams meet twice in the last three weeks.
If DeVito can put together a strong performance and win in Philadelphia, it would boost his stock significantly. How could he not be viewed differently when he is capable of doing something that few Giants quarterbacks have been able to do in recent years? How could it not be an eye-opener with a second major performance in three weeks in front of the entire nation?
DeVito wasn't great against the Saints, but he wasn't terrible either. This defeat can hardly be attributed to him alone, as the entire offense is struggling. The line allowed for quick pressure and seven sacks. His top three receivers dropped three passes in the first half alone.
The unlikely rookie starter has still thrown seven touchdowns to just one interception in the first five starts of his career. A win over the Eagles would be a huge addition to his growing list of accomplishments and would only reignite the DeVito mania. It would be such an achievement that he would likely have a chance to potentially be the Giants' starter next season.
The alternative is that DeVito flops, as most Giants quarterbacks have done against the more talented Eagles over the last decade, and that story fades come the 2023 calendar year.
DeVito said a win would be “huge.” It would be an incredible addition to his resume.
“I’ve never played against the Eagles in the league before, so my record right now is 0-0,” DeVito said. “So I’m looking forward to going out there and trying to make it 1-0.”
Daboll pointed out several times Wednesday that the Eagles have “a lot of talent” on their football team. The Eagles are 12-point favorites on Monday.
Pride remains on the line for the Giants, who lost to Philadelphia three times last season, including the 31-point loss in the postseason.
Last season's playoff defeat is still felt.
“Yeah, I mean, without a doubt,” linebacker Micah McFadden said. “When you get eliminated like that in the playoffs, of course we don't think too much about the past and focus on what lies ahead, but it definitely hurt a little bit to be eliminated by a team.” Your department .”
It won't feel much better if this disappointing season ends with two more defeats against their bitter rivals, proving the gap is even bigger than expected.