The New York Giants have finally exorcized a 13-year-old demon in the City of Brotherly Love.

Quarterback J.J. McCarthy completed 12-of-19 passes for 127 yards, while rookie linebacker Arvell Reese led all defenders with 12 total tackles and three sacks as New York earned a Week 9 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles 19-11 at Lincoln Financial Field.

The win marked the first time since October 27, 2013 that Big Blue left Philly in triumph, erasing a losing streak which had endured for more than a decade. Making his first NFL start, Eagles quarterback Joe Milton, III went 18-of-34 for 169 yards in the losing effort.

Jameis Winston, in temporary relief of an injured McCarthy, went 6-of-8 for 71 yards and the Giants’ only touchdown pass. Rookie kicker Dominic Zvada put his Week 7 woes behind him, connecting on all four of his field goal attempts.

With the victory, New York improved to 5-2-1 while taking a major step toward securing their first NFC East division title since 2011.

Game Summary

First Half

The Giants wasted little time in getting on the board at the Linc in Week 9. In the game’s opening drive, McCarthy converted two 3rd-and-longs (a 27-yard completion to tight end Isaiah Likely and a 17-yard strike to receiver Darnell Mooney) to advance Big Blue into Eagles’ territory. Following a sack of McCarthy by Eagles’ linebacker Zack Baun at the Philadelphia 33, kicker Dominic Zvada connected on a 53-yard field-goal attempt to give the Giants a 3-0 lead.

After forcing a three-and-out on their first defensive stand, New York’s offense traveled 23-yards on seven plays. The series was highlighted by a 22-yard completion to receiver Malik Nabers. Despite being on the doorstep of Philly’s red zone, Eagles’ defender Jonathan Greenard earned his first sack of the season to drive the Giants back 10 yards. Zvada made his second field-goal attempt of the day, this time from 49 yards to give New York a 6-0 advantage.

Still, the first touchdown of the day belonged to the home team. Milton led his team 58 yards on eight plays, 19 of which came on his own run on 3rd-and-6 from the Eagles 46. Philadelphia was given 30 yards on a defensive pass interference penalty on cornerback Deonte Banks. With the ball now on the Giants’ 3-yard line, Big Blue-ex Saquon Barkley rushed for the score. Milton called his own number to successfully convert Philly’s two-point conversion, as the Eagles took an 8-6 lead — an advantage they would carry into halftime.

Second Half

Both the Eagles and Giants traded defensive standoffs until just over 10 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Following McCarthy’s exit from the game due to a hip injury he suffered on an attempted zone-read run with 12:16 remaining, backup Jameis Winston entered the game.

Winston led the Giants 76 yards on 14 plays, while draining 7:56 off the clock. The drive was highlighted by two completions to Nabers, for 16 and 14 yards respectively, as well as a 27-yarder to Mooney. The 12-year veteran capped the drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to Likely, giving the lead back to the Giants. Zvada’s extra point put New York on top 13-8 heading into the fourth quarter.

Zvada, who was marred by two missed attempts during the Giants’ Week 7 win over the Houston Texans, helped to put the game on ice for Big Blue. New York’s final two scoring drives were capped by 49-yard and 53-yard connections respectively. With both makes, the rookie put the Giants on top 19-8.

Philadelphia refused to go quietly, Milton led his club on a 10-play, 48-yard drive, 24 of which came on his own designed run on 3rd-and-8 from their own 27-yard line. Eagles kicker Jake Elliott hot a 45-yard field goal to cut New York’s lead to 19-11 with 1:56 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles made things quite interesting on the game’s final possession, advancing 35 yards on nine plays. However, a last-gasp effort by Milton ended in a sack by Giants defender Darius Alexander, preserving New York’s win.

Final: Giants 19, Eagles 11

Injury Report

The Giants held their collective breath during McCarthy’s due to a hip injury. With 12:16 remaining in the third quarter, McCarthy attempted a run on 1st-and-10 from the Giants’ 27-yard line. New York’s starter was shaken up after taking a hard hit on the zone-read. He jogged off the field, giving the ball to Winston.

Despite being in pain as he attempted to throw on the sidelines, as well as a brief stay in the locker room, McCarthy rejoined the game to begin the fourth quarter and remained in the lineup.

Blue Notes

Giants rookie Arvell Reese was arguably New York’s best player in Week 9. He entered the game having become the seventh Giants rookie since 1994 to have 12+ tackles in a single game. Reese tied that total against the Eagles, finishing the game with 12. He also collected three tackles-for-loss and three sacks — including a, unblocked strip sack in the first half.

NFC East Recap

The Washington Commanders (2-5-1) lost to the Los Angeles Rams by a final of 20-13 at Northwest Stadium.

The Dallas Cowboys (3-5) trailed the Indianapolis Colts 23-20 after Indy kicker Spencer Shrader connected on a 50-yard field goal with just over one minute remaining in the fourth quarter.

What’s Next?

The Giants enter Week 10 with a short turnaround as they return home for their second, and final regular-season matchup with the Commanders at Northwest Stadium. New York and Washington battled to a 27-27 tie in Week 5.

Kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. ET on Thurs. Nov. 12 from MetLife Stadium.