PHILADELPHIA – Call it Christmas in May because the NFL delivered quite a gift to Eagles fans on Wednesday, confirming a Christmas Day game at Lincoln Financial Field against the New York Giants.
The kickoff time between the two NFC East rivals is set for 4:30 ET.
The early heads-up on the game was one of a host of coordinated leaks by the league in advance of Thursday night’s full release of the entire schedule.
The Eagles have dominated the Giants in recent seasons, winning 10 consecutive games in the series at the Linc and 16 of 20 overall. Last season, Philadelphia went 3-0 against the NYG, all over a 28-day period finishing with a 38-7 drubbing in the divisional round of the playoffs.
The first win came on Dec. 11 at MetLife Stadium, a 48-22 blowout, and the middle contest came with the Giants resting their regulars in Week 18 and the Eagles needing the game to secure the No. 1 seed in the conference. Philadelphia wasn’t sharp in that one with Jalen Hurts returning after missing two games with a sprained SC joint in his shoulder but outlasted New York 22-16.
Hurts, the MVP runner-up last season, finished 21 for 31 with two touchdowns, adding 77 more yards on the ground and another TD in the rout in North Jersey. Still ailing with the shoulder injury, he threw for 229 yards in Week 18, and in the playoffs with the game never in doubt Hurts coasted to the tune of 16 for 24 with 154 yards and two touchdowns.
Boston Scott, the so-called Giants killer, rushed for 119 yards and a touchdown in the three games, upping his career TD total against New York to 10.
