A thrilling victory for the New York Giants over their long-time rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, has left fans buzzing. It's a win that feels extra sweet, especially after the Giants' rough start to the 2025 season. But here's where it gets interesting: the Pro Football Focus (PFF) grades for this game might not reflect the excitement and importance of the victory.
You see, PFF grades primarily focus on individual player performance, evaluating how well each athlete executed their physical tasks on the field. They don't consider the game's context, the opponent's strength, or the mental aspects of the game. So, while the Giants' overall grade for this game might not be as impressive as you'd expect, it doesn't diminish the team's achievement.
Let's dive into the PFF grades and snap counts for this game, breaking down the performance of the Giants' offense and defense, and see how they stack up.
Offense
The Giants' offense put up an impressive performance, with no player scoring below 50 on the PFF scale. This is a significant improvement from previous weeks, where several players were in the 30s and 40s.
Quarterback
Jaxson Dart, the Giants' quarterback, had an exceptional night. He threw a touchdown pass, made some big-time throws, and avoided any turnover-worthy plays. Dart's ability to sense pressure and scramble to create time and space for himself was crucial. His time to throw was quick, and even under pressure, he managed to keep plays alive and deliver passes with accuracy.
Receivers
The receiving grades might be a bit misleading. Theo Johnson, despite a low grade, had a big catch that was offset by a drop earlier in the game. Wan'Dale Robinson, who made an incredible move to evade the safety and score a touchdown, received an above-average grade. Lil'Jordan Humphrey, with two contested catches, also deserves a higher grade in my opinion. Jalin Hyatt, who made a nice catch with some difficulty and drew a DPI in the end zone, was graded lower than expected.
Rushing
Dart's rushing touchdown showcases his ability to contribute on the ground. His rushing stats from last year at Ole Miss and this season in the NFL are impressive. Skattebo, the featured back in the absence of Tyrone Tracy, had an excellent game, with 64 yards after contact and four missed tackles forced.
Pass Blocking
The offensive line, with the exception of Jon Runyan, had a solid game. Runyan has been struggling this season, but the rest of the line only surrendered six pressures and no sacks. John Michael Schmitz had three consecutive good games before his injury, and his replacement, Austine Schlottman, had a clean performance. Jermaine Eluemunor and Andrew Thomas also contributed to a strong pass-blocking effort.
Run Blocking
Among the players primarily responsible for run blocking, all performed reasonably well. Jalin Hyatt, who is not a natural run blocker, is forgiven for his lower grade.
Snap Counts
- Four of the five offensive linemen played every snap, with Schlottman replacing the injured Schmitz.
- Dart played almost every snap, with Russell Wilson taking over briefly for a concussion check.
- Skattebo, the featured back, played a significant role, with Devin Singletary getting limited snaps.
- Theo Johnson played almost every snap, with Daniel Bellinger and Chris Manhertz sharing TE duties.
- Wan'Dale Robinson and Lil'Jordan Humphrey played the majority of snaps, while Jalin Hyatt has seen increased playing time over the last three weeks.
Defense
The Giants' defense held a high-powered Eagles offense to just 17 points, but the PFF grades don't fully reflect this achievement. Dane Belton, with a forced fumble and an interception, stood out with a high grade.
Pass Rush
The pass rush generated 16 pressures, with Brian Burns converting two into sacks. Darius Muasau also had a sack. Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence contributed multiple pressures, but their grades were lower than expected.
Run Defense
The run defense grades were more in line with expectations. Kayvon Thibodeuax, who has been impressive all season, had four stops. Rakeem Nunez-Roches, Tyler Nubin, and Roy Robertson-Harris also had strong performances.
Pass Coverage
The pass coverage was a mixed bag. Dane Belton and Cor'Dale Flott, who had an interception, received high grades. The other defensive backs and linebackers mostly received average grades, with Tyler Nubin being an exception, giving up four completions.
Snap Counts
- The CB2 rotation ended, with Flott playing almost every snap and Deonte Banks benched.
- Adebo and Dru Phillips played the majority of snaps at CB.
- Bobby Okereke played every snap, with Darius Muasau playing about 60%.
- Dexter Lawrence, Thibodeaux, Burns, and Carter played 70-80% of the game.
The Giants' victory over the Eagles was a thrilling display of football, and while the PFF grades might not fully capture the excitement, they provide an interesting insight into individual player performances.
And this is the part most people miss: the context and impact of a game extend beyond the numbers. So, while the PFF grades are a valuable tool, they don't tell the whole story. What do you think? Are PFF grades an accurate representation of a player's performance, or do they miss the bigger picture? Let's discuss in the comments!
