Eagles vs. Giants: 5 Under-The-Radar Players Stood Out in Philly’s Win

Philadelphia Eagles returner Britain Covey tops the list after a tone-setting punt return and adding his first career reception, but who were four others who played a big role in the win?

PHILADELPHIA – This was supposed to be an exactly-what-the-doctor-ordered kind of game - “Take one heaping tablespoon of the New York Giants and call me in the morning.”

It wasn’t that, but at least the Philadelphia Eagles didn’t wake up on Tuesday morning with their heads throbbing from losing four in a row after hanging on for a 33-25, Christmas Day win at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Eagles' offensive superstars turned in respectable performances, with Jalen Hurts throwing for 301 yards and a touchdown while running for one score, and receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith putting up 80 and 79 yards, respectively, with Smith notching his seventh touchdown of the season.

Defensive superstars Haason Reddick had four quarterback hits and a tackle for loss and Fletcher Cox pillaged his way to five tackles and a QB hit.

The Eagles needed more from others, and they got it from several players. Here are five who stood out:

Britain Covey after Week 16 win vs. New York Giants :: Ed Kracz/SI Eagles Today

Britain Covey. He started things with a career-high 54-yard punt return that set the Eagles up to grab a 7-0 lead early in the first quarter. He also had a 7-yard reception, the first catch of his career, and it was the catch Covey was most proud of.

“I don’t view myself as a punt returner who plays receiver, I view myself as a receiver who plays punt returner. So, it’s nice to get the first one.”

Grant Calcaterra. Talk about making your first catch of the season count. The reserve tight end stayed alive and found an opening for Jalen Hurts to get him the ball after a bad snap had the ball skittering around on the ground before the quarterback picked it up. 

Hurts bolted left and somehow threw a ball that Calcaterra grabbed off his shoetops before scrambling for a 9-yard gain to give the Eagles a first down at the Giants 17. The play came on 3rd and 3. 

Calcaterra added his second catch of the season later and ended with two receptions for 12 yards.

D’Andre Swift. The running back piled up 92 yards, his most rushing yards since Week 3 when he had 130 vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He ran the ball seven straight times for 43 yards after New York pulled to within 30-25 on a 69-yard touchdown pass. His running helped lead the Eagles into field goal range to extend the lead to 33-25 with 1:10 left in the game.

Swift is now 12 yards away from the first 1,000-yard season of his career.

“I didn’t know what my yardage was until someone told me after the game,” he said. “I wasn’t trying to think about that stuff. I’ll worry about it after.”

That said, Swift is looking forward to probably going over 1,000.

“100 percent,” he said. “That’s a great benchmark for any running back. Getting 1,000 yards, or close to it. As long as we’re winning, that’s all I care about. Everything else will come after.”

Shaq Leonard. Despite signing just two weeks ago, the former All-Pro linebacker had to play 54 snaps (86 percent) when Nick Morrow was ruled out before kickoff and the team was already without Zach Cunningham (knee). Leonard, who had a second back surgery last year and didn’t begin running again until late June, responded with his first sack since 2020 and a game-high seven tackles with a pair of tackles for loss.

“I feel great,” he said afterward. “I’m ready to go home and spend some time with my girls.”

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Kelee Ringo. The rookie cornerback continues to see his role grow, playing 81 percent of the snaps (51) and responding with his first-career interception, picking off Tyrod Taylor in the end zone on the final play of the game.

Ringo had five tackles and one pass breakup.

Of his first career interception, Ringo said: “A lot of grace. Definitely great being on Christmas…It was great. Beyond words that I can explain.”

He said he had the ball after Leonard picked it up for him after Ringo let go of it to celebrate the win and pick with his teammates.