If John Harbaugh hasn't earned your trust yet, he's about to. The New York Giants head coach has gone toe-to-toe with some difficult opponents and has Big Blue comfortably in the lead of the NFC East title race, but he faces an important test in Week 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
This is a game that the Giants should win. They're 3.5-point favorites on the road, and the Eagles just made a mid-week change at quarterback. But anyone who watched Brian Daboll's teams knows that no win is guaranteed. The G-Men have fallen short in games they should win far too often in recent years.
To use the classic term, it's a trap game. But no need to be afraid, Giants fans; Harbaugh has been around the block a time or two. He's not going to overlook a game like this.
Giants can't overlook obvious trap game against Eagles
This isn't the Super Bowl-winning Eagles team fans may be used to. Jalen Hurts is out for the season, and Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith are both dealing with injuries. Joe Milton III is set to start for Philadelphia after being signed off the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad just a couple of weeks ago. Even Vic Fangio's defense has taken a step back.
The Eagles are in the middle of collapsing. They're the exact kind of team that would be easy to overlook. But they still have an NFC East upset in them.
Milton III might be a more erratic quarterback than Tanner McKee, but he has the arm to create some explosive plays in the passing game. If New York's secondary takes a play off, he'll make them pay for it.
And while Philly's defense has struggled this year, it still has the talent to make life difficult for J.J. McCarthy and the Giants. If Big Blue's offense can't get the ball moving and Milton III hits on some of his deep passes, this game could quickly get out of hand.
John Harbaugh has Giants positioned to overcome trap game vs. Eagles
For many in the Giants' building, being favored in a road game might be an unfamiliar experience. The G-Men haven't exactly been seen as superior in the last decade. When they were favored under Daboll, wins were never guaranteed. Even in 2022, Daboll's best season, New York was 3-2 against the spread as a favorite.
Big Blue hasn't been great after its bye week in recent years either, losing after the bye in 2024 and 2025.
Harbaugh can overcome both trends with one win. He has historically been excellent immediately following his bye week. He went 15-3 after the bye in his 18 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. That extra time to prepare has been invaluable for Harbaugh over the years.
Under Daboll, this game would feel like a toss-up. Giants fans should be much more confident with Harbaugh at the helm.
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