Giants vs. Eagles: 5 biggest storylines for Week 18 ​on January 4, 2025 at 2:37 pm

The Eagles are locked into the second-overall seed for the upcoming NFC Playoffs. So, they’ve got very little to play for this week. Their only goal is to escape the game with little to no injuries.

The Giants, by losing, can better their positioning for the 2025 NFL draft. At 3-13, they stand at No. 4 overall. A loss could move them up a spot or two. A win could knock them down to as far as No. 9.

The Monday after the final week of the regular season is called Black Monday for it’s the day that teams in need of regime changes cut ties with their general managers and coaches.

Even though the Giants have just logged in another miserable season, they are likely to stick with general manager Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll for at least another year.

The Giants have built a solid young core and many believe are headed in the right direction. They just need to continue to build their roster. A change now would be seen as a setback.

Co-owner John Mara gave the due a lot of confidence during the season and might be tired of spinning his wheels by standing pat. The Giants have had six head coaches since 2015.

Former Giants star running back Saquon Barkley has always been an unselfish individual as a player.

This week, Barkley continued to display his team-first attitude by agreeing to sit out the team’s season finale and give up his chase for the NFL’s single-season rushing record.

Barkley has 2,005 rushing yards this year, 100 shy of Eric Dickerson’s record of 2,105 set in 1984.

Dickerson’s record was set during a 16-game schedule while Barkley’s total would be over 17 games.

The Giants will be seeking quarterback options this coming offseason and could very well draft one with their first-round pick.

But the plan under center will not end there. The Giants will be exploring any and all options and one of them is currently under their roof in Drew Lock.

While many don’t see Lock as a franchise quarterback, the six-year veteran has shown flashes of success that can’t be ignored. Last week against Indianapolis, Lock accounted for five total touchdowns and led an offensive explosion the Giants haven’t had in years.

With a solid showing on Sunday in Philly, Lock could pump up his market value and give the Giants something to think about as he heads back into free agency.

The Giants are thinking positively and will be seeking to end the season on a high note. They will do that by putting the four remaining members of this year’s draft class front and center again this week.

Wide receiver Malik Nabers, running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., cornerback Andru Phillips, and linebacker Darius Muasau will all start again and play prominent roles.

Nabers and Tracy have already set milestones this season and will seek to continue to add to their production. Phillips has played well and Muasau is becoming a solid performer in the middle.

Tight end Theo Johnson and safety Tyler Nubin, the other two 2024 draftees, are both on injured reserve (IR) but had shown to be both reliable and productive during the time they played.