You know that moment when you’re the underdog, but you feel the stars just might align? That’s the New York Giants heading into Lincoln Financial Field this Sunday. Week 18. Eagles. Rivalry. Sure, the playoffs are out of reach, but pride? Pride’s still on the line. Oh, and maybe a dash of revenge for that Week 7 embarrassment. Let’s dive into six ways Big Blue can pull off an upset.
1. Ignore the Noise, Play the Game
The Giants have been riding a rollercoaster of media speculation lately. “Brian Daboll’s job is in jeopardy!” “Saquon Barkley’s sitting out—what’s the point?” Blah blah blah. Last week, they tuned it all out, looked sharp against the Colts, and actually resembled a cohesive football team. Same recipe here: focus, execute, and block out the drama. Easy to say, harder to do, but they’ve proven it’s possible.
2. Channel Emotions Without Letting Them Boil Over
Rivalry games are emotional by nature, but this one’s extra spicy. For some Giants, it might be their final NFL game. For others, it’s potentially the end of their stint in New York. And for Coach Daboll? Let’s just say he’s walking a tightrope. Channel all that adrenaline into focused aggression. No blown coverages because of a heated argument on the sideline. No frustration-fueled penalties. Stay cool. Stay composed.
3. Respect Philly’s Depth Chart
Don’t get lulled into a false sense of security. The Eagles might be sitting stars like Jalen Hurts and Devonta Smith, but their reserves are no scrubs. Kenneth Gainwell can carve up defenses. Kenny Pickett (assuming he plays) isn’t afraid to sling it. Philly’s backups would probably start for half the league. Overlooking them would be a fatal mistake. The Giants’ defense needs to bring the same intensity as if Hurts were lining up under center.
4. Let Drew Lock Cook
Let’s take a moment to appreciate Drew Lock’s game last week. Four touchdowns. Over 300 yards. Not a single sack or interception. When’s the last time Giants fans saw quarterback play like that? (Don’t answer; it’ll just hurt.) Lock and Malik Nabers were electric. So why fix what isn’t broken? Give Lock the reins and let him air it out. Philly’s secondary isn’t impenetrable—time to exploit that.
5. Play Smart, Play Clean
Here’s the thing about Lincoln Financial Field: it’s not just hostile—it’s deafening. Pre-snap penalties become a real problem when you can’t hear the snap count. Last week, the Giants had seven penalties for 94 yards and somehow still won. That margin for error disappears against Philly. A single false start or ill-timed holding penalty could shift momentum entirely. Keep it clean. Keep it simple.
6. Soak It All In
It’s the last game of the season. For some players, the last game of their career. No playoffs. No pressure. Just football. This might be the final time these 53 men share a locker room, a huddle, a sideline. Enjoy it. The Giants have had a rough season, but Sunday is a chance to play for the love of the game. Play loose, take risks, and leave it all on the field.
The odds are against the Giants, sure. But that’s kind of their thing, isn’t it? Scrapping and clawing for a chance when everyone’s counting them out. Win or lose, Sunday is an opportunity to make a statement, to show that this team is building toward something meaningful.
So grab your popcorn, folks. This one’s going to be a ride.
P.S. I’m not saying Drew Lock is the future of the Giants. But also… maybe? Just a thought.
P.P.S. Fun fact: Lincoln Financial Field is infamous for having a jail underneath it. A JAIL. So, like, maybe don’t get too rowdy if you’re going to the game.