It wasn't just that the New York Giants embarrassed the Philadelphia Eagles on primetime — it was how they did it. It was a 60-minute, three-phase, 34-17 bottom-whooping that'll keep Giants fans up at night in the best way possible.
Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart looked unfazed by the moment, securing his first primetime win of his career in his third start. His efforts now sit alongside the likes of Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, and Patrick Mahomes. And he wasn't even the only rookie to contribute to the demolition of the Birds.
Related: Giants mercilessly roast Eagles into oblivion after stunning Week 6 upset
Running back Cam Skattebo continued his ascension with 110 all-purpose yards and three rushing touchdowns. The beatdown was so real, the G-Men might’ve been the straw that broke A.J. Brown’s disgruntled back. And Thursday night’s fireworks didn’t end there — Eagles pass rusher Za’Darius Smith suddenly announced his retirement after the game. Coincidence? Maybe. But it’s hard not to wonder if New York’s evisceration was the catalyst. Just more icing on the cake for Big Blue Nation.
Giants’ primetime beatdown of Eagles might’ve sparked Za’Darius Smith’s retirement
The 33-year-old only lasted five games in the City of Brotherly Love before announcing his retirement on social media Monday morning:
#Eagles pass-rusher Za’Darius Smith announced on Instagram that he’s retiring. pic.twitter.com/4yhEFoMWO3
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) October 13, 2025
And it makes sense. The Eagles are in free fall. Their offense can seemingly only generate positive plays when its quarterback's butt is being pushed by tight ends and fullbacks... and when the offensive line clearly false starts. Why would Smith want to be associated with that?
The 11-year veteran carved out a nice career for himself after arriving as a JUCO transfer turned fourth-round pick, peaking with back-to-back Pro Bowl nods in Green Bay and wreaking havoc across multiple NFC North teams. But Thursday night might’ve been the end of the line. After getting steamrolled by a pair of rookies and watching his defense give up 34 on national television, the longtime pass-rusher saw enough.
New York might not just be ending games now — they’re ending careers.
Smith's retirement is great news for Giants fans. Their pass-rushing unit becomes incredibly thin and uninspiring — Jalyx Hunt, Josh Uche, Patrick Johnson, and former Big Blue linebacker Azeez Ojulari. That's tough. And it's also not New York's problem.
Meanwhile, New York's pass-rushing group is one of the best in the league. The Giants travel to Denver in Week 7 before heading to Philadelphia in Week 8. Maybe they'll crush them so badly in Round 2 that they force another veteran into early retirement.