What a fun afternoon for Eagles fans. The backups stepped up and defeated the New York Giants 20-13 to close out the regular season on a high note. While the stars rested, there were plenty of things to love about this game, and I’m here to break down the highlights.

Tanner McKee’s Stock is Rising

Tanner McKee delivered an impressive performance, completing 27 of 41 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns. He started the game red hot, and dare I say it—he looked a lot like Nick Foles out there. His size, calm pocket presence, and ability to deliver accurate throws evoked memories of the Super Bowl MVP.

Yes, McKee’s inexperience showed at times, and he could’ve easily thrown a couple of interceptions, but for the most part, he was sharp. This game likely solidified his place as the backup quarterback for the future—and perhaps even the playoffs. As I mentioned in my previous article, McKee’s draft stock fell due to playing on a struggling Stanford team and not fitting the mold of today’s dual-threat quarterback. However, his performance on Sunday was a glimpse of what he’s capable of.

Jahan Dotson Looked Smooth and Confident

Jahan Dotson made the most of his opportunities, finishing with seven catches for 94 yards—nearly surpassing his season total in one game. He looked polished as a route-runner and dynamic after the catch.

For a player who hadn’t seen much action this season, this “meaningless” Week 18 game might serve as the ultimate confidence booster. Dotson proved to his teammates and coaches that he can be a reliable weapon, which could bode well for his role in the postseason and beyond.

The Backup Linebackers Stepped Up

The Eagles’ backup linebackers showed out on Sunday. Oren Burks had a stellar game, recording 17 total tackles, including two for a loss. Burks has shown he can play at a high level recently, building on last week’s performance. Despite some fans still holding last year’s Super Bowl struggles against him, Burks looks much more comfortable in Vic Fangio’s system.

Rookie Jeremiah Trotter Jr. also flashed his potential. While he wasn’t able to log a sack(to do the celebration he and his father share),he finished with 11 tackles, showing his physicality and instincts, though he still needs to work on finishing plays. Tackling has been an issue for him dating back to college, but it’s clear he belongs on an NFL field. Trotter has time to develop, and the future looks bright for the Eagles at a position that’s often been a weakness in recent years.

The Eagles will now shift their focus to the playoffs, where they’ll host the Packers in a Wild Card matchup on Sunday at 4:30 PM EST on FOX. With the momentum from this strong finish to the regular season, the Eagles are poised to make a run in the postseason.