Game day brings the Philadelphia Eagles into a Week 9 NFC East matchup that already feels loaded with possibilities, even with the team sitting at 2-6 and trying to snap a six-game losing streak. The New York Giants arrive off a bye after opening the year 4-2-1 and sitting atop the division, but this game still has plenty of room for chaos.
One of the biggest questions centers on Joe Milton III, who is making his first NFL start after the Eagles signed him less than a month ago when Jalen Hurts was ruled out for the season with blood clots. Milton takes over for Tanner McKee, who lost all three of his starts this season.
In six career games with the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys, Milton has completed 69.8% of his passes for 424 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He has also rushed for 66 yards on 15 carries and scored once.
The arm talent is obvious, but so are the mistakes, and the expectation here is that he throws at least two interceptions.
Makai Lemon is another name to watch, and this feels like the spot where he finally breaks through for his first 100-yard game. After a sluggish opening stretch, Lemon has started to find his footing.
He totaled 127 yards over the first six games, then added 124 yards and a touchdown over the last two. There was real chemistry developing between him and McKee, and the Eagles will again be without DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks, who have missed the last two games and will miss this one too.
Lemon has looked more comfortable every week, and a 100-yard outing feels well within reach.
Tight end Eli Stowers could also become part of a bigger conversation. In the Week 8 loss to the Washington Commanders, he made noticeable progress, earning more offensive reps and finishing as the team’s second-leading receiver with three catches for 53 yards.
He has played in only two games so far, and many expected the 2026 season to be more of a redshirt year after his training camp struggles. With injuries piling up and the season nearly gone, this could be the moment Stowers forces the Eagles to seriously consider moving Dallas Goedert at the trade deadline on Tuesday and handing him the job the rest of the way.
On defense, Nolan Smith Jr. has been one of the few bright spots, and another big outing could be coming. He already has four sacks entering the Giants game after posting only three in 13 games last year, and he is the only Eagles edge rusher with a sack in a game in 2026.
New York’s offensive line has allowed 21 sacks, third-most in the NFL, which sets up Smith for a chance to take over. Two sacks feels like a real possibility here.
And then there’s the kind of result that would leave Eagles fans with more confusion than confidence: an upset win. New York will be without Cam Skattebo in the backfield, and J.J.
McCarthy is making just his second start with the team. Milton may have growing pains, but he can still hit the explosive plays Philadelphia needs, and Saquon Barkley is healthier than he has been over the past month, which should mean more touches.
McCarthy has not always been accurate, so the Eagles could create pressure and turnovers. If Philly pulls this off, the mood around the bye could shift fast, with everyone suddenly talking about a miraculous run back into the NFC East race.
In Other News...
Eagles Make Another QB Change As Season Starts Slipping Away
With the season slipping further off course at 2-6, the Eagles are turning again to a new face under center for Week 9 against the Giants. Joe Mixon, signed from the Cowboys practice squad three weeks ago, has been named the starter, giving Philadelphia another reset as it tries to find some stability on offense after a rough stretch.
Mixon takes over for Tanner McKee, who was recently benched, and the move adds another layer to a quarterback situation that has changed quickly as the losses have piled up. Nick Sirianni said he believes Mixons athleticism can help lift the offense, and now the Eagles will see whether this latest switch can offer more than just another temporary fix. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Fans Need To See More Than Survival From Joe Milton III
Joe Milton III is about to get his first NFL start for the Eagles in Week 9 against the Giants, stepping in for Tanner McKee at a moment when the offense could use more than just a steady hand. For Philadelphia, this is less about surviving the assignment and more about what Milton can add to it. The arm talent has always been part of the appeal, but the chance in front of him calls for a fuller showing, one that gives the coaches a better read on what kind of backup quarterback he can be.
The expectations are pretty clear: show a willingness to push the ball downfield, bring something with his legs, and keep the football out of harms way. Those are the traits that can turn a one-off start into something more meaningful for a roster that values depth at quarterback, especially when injuries or lineup changes force the issue. If Milton can check those boxes, the Eagles may come away with more than just a placeholder performance. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles May Be Heading For A Deadline Selloff After This Loss
The latest loss to the Giants only sharpened the sense that the Eagles are at a crossroads, with their playoff path slipping further out of reach and the front office staring at a difficult decision. In that kind of season, Howie Roseman has never been shy about thinking ahead, and the looming trade deadline now looks like a chance to turn a disappointing year into a longer-term reset by collecting future draft capital.
Philadelphia has a handful of players who could draw calls from around the league, and the list speaks to how many moving parts this roster still has. Cornerback Riq Woolen, tight end Dallas Goedert, defensive tackle Moro Ojomo, offensive lineman Matt Dickerson and edge rusher Nolan Smith all sit in the conversation as Roseman weighs whether to keep patching holes or start reshaping the roster more aggressively before the deadline passes. [Read more 🡒]