PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joe Milton was flagged for a false start on the first play of the Philadelphia Eagles' opening series and was sacked on the final play of the game.
Milton spent most of the rest of the game against the New York Giants playing exactly like a quarterback signed off the Cowboys’ practice squad just three weeks ago.
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Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (26) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) during the second half of an NFL football game in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Elijah Mitchell (49) makes a catch as New York Giants defensive back Andru Phillips (22) and Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (41) stop him during the second half of an NFL football game in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Joe Milton celebrates a 2-point conversion during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Joe Milton throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Milton was about as inefficient with Philadelphia in his first start as Tanner McKee was in his three starts before being benched. McKee statistically wasn't even much better than Jalen Hurts before his season likely ended with blood clots in his lungs.
The quarterbacks change. The results, not so much.
Tasked with trying to save the season in a weak NFC East, Milton only threw for 169 yards and watched the New York Giants use two quarterbacks to rally past the Eagles 19-11 on Sunday.
The Eagles (2-7) are on their longest losing streak since they lost eight straight games in Andy Reid’s final season in 2012.
The Eagles head into their bye week facing potential coaching changes — offensive coordinator Sean Mannion remained on the hot seat as the Eagles finished with only 220 total yards — and a roster makeover at Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
“It's not Sean; it's all of us,” coach Nick Sirianni said. “It starts with me. The correct question there to me is, ‘do you think you’ve done a good enough job?' Obviously, I haven't done a good enough job. We all have things we've got to figure out.”
The news isn't much better when the Eagles get back. They have a home game against the Steelers, who are 6-2 and lead the AFC North.
“I think everybody should be here and will be here just trying to get better and closer,” Milton said.
The Eagles have not had more than 341 total yards in a game this season. They hit that mark in Week 2 against Tennessee. It was Philadelphia’s most recent win this season.
“Seeing them tonight, still got that excitement on their face, knowing that it’s not over,” Milton said, “it’s great to see.”
Pardon Milton for the false hope. The third-stringer-turned-starter is still new to Philly.
Milton went 18 of 34 with no touchdown passes or interceptions. He was sacked seven times, and his receivers dropped at least four passes. He showed flashes of the speed and strong arm that McKee doesn’t have and finished with 64 yards rushing, with a long run of 24 yards.
“He made some plays with his feet," Sirianni said. “Gave our guys a couple of chances downfield.”
Sirianni took extra time talking to his players before he met with reporters more than 70 minutes after the game ended. He declined to get into his messaging.
Sirianni also didn't get into specifics on what potential changes could be ahead for — amazingly, two seasons after a Super Bowl title — one of the worst teams in the NFL.
“My job is to be there for our guys,” Sirianni said. “I'll do anything I can to help this team win football games. I'll look at myself internally first and then go from there.”
He added: “I don't think you change just to change.”
Something has to change, right? The Eagles gained their first first down of the second half in the fourth quarter. Saquon Barkley was held to just 1.7 yards per carry on 13 carries. Rookie wide receiver Makai Lemon dropped a pair of easy passes when a win was still within reach.
“How do we figure this out,” Sirianni asked.
That's a tough question to still have to ask nine games into a season.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni speaks at a news conference after an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
New York Giants running back Devin Singletary (26) is tackled by Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) during the second half of an NFL football game in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles running back Elijah Mitchell (49) makes a catch as New York Giants defensive back Andru Phillips (22) and Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (41) stop him during the second half of an NFL football game in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Joe Milton celebrates a 2-point conversion during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Joe Milton throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — J.J. McCarthy may as well have been any New York Giants fan nervously watching on TV as the injured quarterback tossed a football to keep warm and paced around the locker room.
He felt a tinge of anxiety when Jameis Winston led a drive that could finally put the Giants ahead and end 13 years of misery in Philadelphia.
It took two QBs to get it done. Now, New York has control of the division.
Winston replaced McCarthy long enough to throw a go-ahead touchdown pass and help the New York Giants keep their grip on the NFC East and beat Philadelphia 19-11 on Sunday to hand the Eagles their seventh straight loss.
“The fact that J-Mo and I got to do it, it’s just a testament of what this team’s all about,” McCarthy said.
The Eagles (2-7) are on their longest losing streak since they lost eight straight games in Andy Reid’s final season in 2012.
With Jalen Hurts likely out for the season with blood clots and a playoff berth all but gone, the Eagles could get a roster makeover at Tuesday’s NFL trade deadline.
The Giants (5-2-1) are the only team in the division with a winning record.
“Have there been games where everything’s been going well for us this year? I would like to have one or two of those,” Giants coach John Harbaugh said. “I think we need to find out how to win when everything’s going our way and see how we are, see how we handle that.”
The Eagles had beaten the Giants 13 straight times at home — including one playoff win — since New York last won on Oct. 27, 2013.
It doesn’t seem to matter who’s playing quarterback for the Giants.
McCarthy suffered a hip injury in the third quarter that briefly forced him out of the game and the Giants trailing 8-6.
Harbaugh turned to Winston — who held the starting job for four games after No. 1 QB Jaxson Dart was injured — to rally New York.
Winston did enough in his cameo to keep New York’s first division title since 2011 within reach. He hit wide receiver Malachi Fields for 14 yards that took the ball to the Eagles 3-yard line and followed two plays later with a 5-yard TD pass to Isaiah Likely that sent the Giants into the fourth quarter with a 13-8 lead.
Winston was 6 of 8 for 71 yards and the lone touchdown.
“Circumstances are the circumstances,” Winston said. "But today we found a way."
McCarthy returned for the final play of the third quarter. He completed 12 of 19 passes for 127 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions.
“That’s big to fight through that kind of thing, fight through an injury, go back in, take care of it, get back out there,” Harbaugh said.
Dominic Zvada kicked field goals of 53 and 49 yards for a 6-0 lead in the first quarter and connected from 38 and 49 yards in the second half for a 19-8 lead.
Like the Giants, the Eagles have also cycled through quarterbacks because of injuries and ineffectiveness.
Tanner McKee went 0-3 after taking over for Hurts as the starter before he was benched this week for Joe Milton.
The 26-year-old Milton had appeared in five NFL games in relief and was suddenly tasked with saving the Eagles' season.
He showed flashes of the speed and strong arm that McKee doesn't have. Like McKee. Milton couldn't do much to move the offense.
Saquon Barkley scored on a 3-yard run late in the first quarter and — after a Giants penalty on the extra point — Milton ran in for the 2-point conversion for an 8-7 lead. Milton punctuated the score with a backflip in the end zone that got a rise out of the crowd.
Milton went 18 of 34 for 169 yards and was sacked seven times, including three times by linebacker Arvell Reese.
“Man, the Giants played great today," Milton said. “They had a great defensive (effort) and great players over there. What they did today was just pressure and play over top.”
Jonathan Greenard finally got his first sack as an Eagle after he was acquired from Minnesota in a draft-weekend trade. The edge rusher subsequently agreed to a four-year, $98 million extension, including $50 million guaranteed.
Braden Mann unleashed an 86-yard punt for the Eagles at the end of the first half. It was the longest punt in the NFL since 2001. Mann punted out of the end zone (the ball was spotted at the Eagles 8) and rolled out of bounds at the Giants' 6-yard line.
Mann followed with a 60-yarder to end the Eagles' first drive of the second half. He also lost 2 yards on a botched punt.
Former Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham actually holds the franchise record with a 91-yarder in 1989.
Harbaugh didn't deny a report that the Giants — with all their banged-up running backs — were interested in trading for Colts running back Jonathan Taylor.
“I’m not saying that report’s not true,” Harbaugh said. “Those conversations are taking place and if something happens for any player, I can’t talk about any player because they’re with other teams right now, but we’re not ruling anything out, but I don’t see anything particularly imminent right now either.”
Giants host the Commanders on Thursday.
Eagles head into a bye and return on Nov. 22 to host the Steelers.
See AP’s full NFL coverage here
Philadelphia Eagles running back Elijah Mitchell (49) makes a catch as New York Giants defensive back Andru Phillips (22) and Giants linebacker Micah McFadden (41) stop him during the second half of an NFL football game in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy reacts during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
New York Giants quarterback J.J. McCarthy (18) heads off the field during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (19) looks to pass during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely (9) celebrates scoring a touchdown with a pass from Giants quarterback Jameis Winston (19) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
