It really was a good Week 6 for Giants fans — in fact, it might go down as one of those nights that we look back on as a turning point. The 34‑17 win over the defending champion Eagles was the kind of statement victory the franchise has long needed. It wasn’t perfect, but it had feel, swagger, promise — and enough tangible substance to make you believe.
Let’s start with the biggest headline: The rookie running back delivered one of the more memorable single-game performances we’ve seen from a first‑year player in recent years. He rushed for three touchdowns, came just shy of 100 yards on the ground, and added receiving yards to go over 100 scrimmage yards. His usage was heavy — he handled 71 percent of the Giants’ offensive snaps, making him the clear workhorse for the night. But it wasn’t just about volume or stats — he played with a confidence and burst that marked him as someone who belongs, someone who isn’t intimidated by the stage. The kinds of runs that broke through defenders, the cuts, the power — you saw flashes of a back who could drive an offense.
Then there’s Jaxson Dart. We’ve been watching him, measuring him, wondering whether the rookie quarterback can steer this ship. Thursday night, he got more than a passing grade. He completed 17-of-25 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown; he also scrambled for 58 yards and another score He became just the third quarterback in the Super Bowl era to rush for at least 50 yards in each of his first three career starts, joining Lamar Jackson and Jalen Hurts. That consistency with his legs is big. He’s got to tighten his reads and decision‑making, but you get the sense that he has the athleticism, the toughness, and the growth potential to be more than just a flash in the pan.
The defense, too, brought the heat. Brian Burns was a menace all night — two sacks, frequent disruption, and a general presence that forced the Eagles to account for him every play. (SI) The secondary wasn’t perfect, but Cor’Dale Flott made a huge impact with a 68‑yard interception return that set up Skattebo’s third touchdown. That play, in the red zone, flipped momentum and made a statement: the Giants are going to take the ball away, and when they do, they’ll punch you. The Eagles’ last chance drive was thwarted in part by a fumble recovered by Dru Phillips — the Giants seemed to have answers when they were challenged.
It was also a night when the supporting cast stepped up. With Malik Nabers out for the season and Darius Slayton hampered, pressure was on the receivers. But Wan’Dale Robinson emerged. He caught six passes on seven targets for 84 yards and a touchdown You needed guys to show up, to have big moments, and he did. Theo Johnson, the tight end, also played a role, even if modest — he’s becoming a security blanket and a part of their scheme given the thin receiver depth.The Giants leaned into the run game, leaned into their identity, and made the game theirs.
What also stands out is the psychological effect of this win. Beating the defending champions at home, on primetime, after a rough start to the season — that’s the kind of victory that can shift energy in a locker room, among fans, in the league’s perception. The Giants snapped some ugly trends: they got their first divisional win since Week 18 of 2023, and they won a Thursday Night game for the first time since 2015They did it when expectations were low. That matters.
Of course, there are still concerns. The offense can’t be one‑dimensional forever; while the run was dominant Thursday, against better defenses that may clamp down, you’ll need more consistent passing, more diversity. Dart will make mistakes; his growth trajectory will be bumpy. The supporting cast has to keep elevating. The defense needs to shore up in coverage, execute better in tight spaces, avoid giving up big chunk plays. And durability, consistency across weeks — those are the tests ahead.
But for one night in Week 6, the Giants fans got to ride a wave. They got to see what this team could be, not just what it has been. The rookies, the vision, the fight — it all came together in a way that made you lean in and believe. If this is the spark, the kind that ignites confidence and change, then Week 6 may be looked back as more than just another win. It may be the start of something real.
