Giants Fall To Eagles 48-22

The Eagles dominated the Giants from start to finish in beating their division rival 48-22 to improve to 12-1, maintain their lead in the NFC for the No. 1 seed, and clinch a spot in the postseason tournament for the second year in a row.

The Eagles never trailed, starting with a methodical touchdown drive on their first possession, opening up a 21-0 lead in the second quarter before the Giants got on the board. The Eagles led by as much as 48-14 before the Giants got a last-minute touchdown.

Quarterback Jalen Hurts once again played at an MVP level, throwing for 217 yards, rushing for 77, and accounting for three total touchdowns. Hurts became the first quarterback in NFL history with double-digit rushing touchdowns in back-to-back seasons. He also posted a 109.2 QB rating.

Giants QB Daniel Jones was 18 for 26, 169 yards, and one TD. Saquon Barkley started after speculation surrounding a neck issue that cropped up late in the week. His workload was limited and he stayed on the sideline once the score grew so lopsided. Barkley finished with nine rushing attempts for 28 yards and two receptions for 20 yards.

The Giants are 7-5-1 and their Week 15 meeting with the Commanders  (also 7-5-1) at FedEx Field is a rematch of the Week 13 20-20 tie. Next Sunday night’s game stands as the most important game of the season for both sides — almost a playoff eliminator for the loser.

NY Mets Lose Pitcher DeGrom to Texas Rangers

Jacob deGrom has signed a five year, $185 million contract with the Texas Rangers. The deal has no deferments, a full no-trade clause, and a ‘conditional’ sixth year option. Due to Texas having no state income tax, the actual payout deGrom will receive is substantially higher. 

The Rangers had been a rumored home for deGrom since the talk of his opting out became a more frequent topic earlier this season. The Mets were rumored to be offering a three year deal initially, for a higher average annual value, but this deal is clearly everything that deGrom was looking for: guaranteed years, big money, and a control over his destiny, vis a vis trades.

deGrom, who will turn 35 in the middle of next season, has has an injury riddled recent past, missing half the season in both 2021 and 2022. When he’s been healthy, deGrom has been as dominant as ever, having an absolutely incredible first half in 2021, posting a 1.05 ERA in 15 starts. 

LA Rams Aaron Donald Continues Defense Domination

Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald added another accolade to his legacy, notching his 100th career sack with a takedown of Cardinals QB Kyler Murray. 

Donald is only the seventh active player to reach the 100-sack milestone, joining six players all drafted multiple years before him. The three-time Defensive Player of the Year is coming off five consecutive seasons with double-digit sacks despite primarily playing as an interior defensive lineman. 

Donald came close to retiring after only eight seasons this past offseason, even going as far as submitting a retirement letter to the Rams, but the two sides agreed to a revised contract. Donald revealed in August that he plans to play at least two more seasons, citing the new contract. 

Donald has won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, just like Lawrence Taylor, who had 142 sacks.