Albert Pujols, the future first ballot Hall of Famer, interviewed for the Los Angeles Angels’ managerial vacancy on Thursday, a person familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports.

The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the team didn’t plan to announce interviews.

The meeting went well between Pujols and Angels general manager Perry Minasian, with Pujols reiterating his desire for the job, but no offer was formally made, according to a person with direct knowledge of the talks.

“For me, I’ve always been serious about everything that I do in this game,’ Pujols told USA TODAY Sports in March, “and now I’m serious about managing. This game has done so much for me, and now, I want to give back.

“I’m ready.’

The Angels’ managerial job became vacant when the Angels did not pick up Ron Washington’s 2026 option.

If he becomes a manager, Pujols, an 11-time All-Star, three-time MVP and two-time World Series champion who hit 703 homers, would become the first 700-homer hitter to ever manage in the major leagues. Pujols, 45, retired after the 2022 season. He became a special assistant to MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, worked as an analyst for the MLB Network, and has been a guest instructor each spring with the Angels, honoring his 10-year, $10 million personal services contract.

Pujols, who recently married Nicole Fernandez, the daughter of former Dominican president Leonel Fernandez, managed Leones del Escogido to the Caribbean Series championship this past winter. He is scheduled to manage the Dominican Republic next spring in the World Baseball Classic, but would abandon the post if he lands the Angels job.

“He’s ready,’ said Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa, who managed Pujols 11 years in St. Louis. “And he’s going to be great.

“You talk about integrity. You talk about his IQ. You talk about his discipline. I call him ‘APP: Albert Perfect Pujols.’ When a guy has that much to offer and has so much love for the game, the game benefits when he wants to stay active and share.’

Certainly, there are plenty of star players who have become Hall of Fame-caliber managers. Joe Torre was a nine-time All-Star and batting champion, leading the Yankees to four World Series. Dusty Baker was a two-time All-Star, two-time Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove winner, leading five different teams to the postseason with three pennants and a World Series title. Lou Piniella was an All-Star and two-time World Series champion, and led three different teams to the playoffs and won a World Series championship.

“The key is not whether you’re a great player or not, but whether you have that love for the game,’ La Russa said. “Torre, Dusty, they love the game. And Albert loves the game. He always had the mental side commitment, and was inquisitive, always talking about the game. … So, if you have somebody with the kind of greatness like Albert, and is still motivated to stay close to the game, it’s a win-win for all of us.’’

San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt, who has known Pujols since 2005 during their time together in St. Louis, said: “I truly believe he’s doing to be a tremendous asset to any organization. A lot about managing is caring about people, and Albert does that. He has such attention to detail. He’s very clear in his messaging, a very principled guy with a great reputation. Really, he’s almost out of central casting for a manager.’

Now, he could be the greatest player to ever be a major-league manager, with Minasian predicting this spring that Pujols would be successful no matter where he manages.

“I always felt his baseball acumen is second-to-none,’ Minasian said. “His desire to win is second-to-none. And his ability to connect with all different kind of players, and make players believe in themselves is a hell of an attribute.

“Just the person, take the baseball part of it out, is impressive. The honesty. The belief. Everything. I think he can do whatever he wants in this game.’’

In the words of Angels great Mike Trout: “I think he’s going to be a great, great manager.’

Pujols, who’s looking forward to pursuing opportunity, believes in his heart he’ll be successful, too.

“I’d love the opportunity to give back to the game of baseball,’’ Pujols said. “I know I don’t have the experience as a manager, but 23 years in this game, you go through a lot. I’m talking about experience from baseball, being on the field and in the locker room. It’s not going from a university to try to be a manager and not having any baseball experience. Old-school mentality can help young mentality.

“I’ve learned from some of the best managers in the game. I believe with my experience, and the way I can communicate with players, I can have success. …

“If they give me the opportunity, I can promise you that I’m going to do my best to prepare the team to win a World Series. Is that a guarantee? No. But I can guarantee that I will prepare the guys to play the game just like I did with that mentality and toughness.’’

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

This story has been updated with new information.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – Usually, with less than 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the New York Giants playing in prime time, the fans heading to the exits at MetLife Stadium are their own.

Not on “Thursday Night Football” Oct. 9 against the Philadelphia Eagles. With the Giants doubling up the Eagles 34-17 and 9:41 remaining, it was the visiting fans clad in kelly green walking to the concourse on their way toward the marshes of New Jersey. The final score held, and the defending Super Bowl champions fell in consecutive games for the first time since the 2023 season.

The Giants’ malaise over the past several seasons can be further explained by their putrid prime time record. Since the 2019 season, they were 2-20 in night games, including a 1-12 showing at home at MetLife Stadium. 

Enter the rookie combination of quarterback Jaxson Dart and running back Cam Skattebo, both of whom carried the Giants’ offense. Skattebo (19 rushes, 98 yards) had three rushing touchdowns. Dart also had one on the ground (10 carries for 60 yards before the end-of-game kneel downs) and was 17-for-25 with 195 passing yards and a touchdown through the air. 

‘At times there’s some negativity that’s surrounding here,’ Dart said of his first impression of being a Giant. ‘For us, some of the new guys coming in here, we just got here so we don’t feel like we’re involved in the past. We’ve got a lot of winners on this team.

“We can’t be naive to everything. We hear what people say. It definitely lights a fire in us.”

‘Live by the sword,’ he said, ‘die by the sword.’

The statistical contributions and production are, of course, necessary for change to begin in head coach Brian Daboll’s fourth season at the helm. But the spiritual revitalization they have seemed to ignite – Dart is not lacking “aura,” as the kids say, and Skattebo is slapping cornerbacks on the sideline to celebrate their interceptions – are even more meaningful. 

‘It’s so much energy. It’s just life to our team,’ tight end Daniel Bellinger told USA TODAY Sports about the rookie duo. ‘We’ll have a down moment in a game and they’ll just bring that energy and that juice, like ‘All right, here we go.’”

From the Giants’ first drive, Dart sliced the Eagles’ depleted secondary, especially after cornerback Quinyon Mitchell exited in the first half with a hamstring injury (defensive tackle Jalen Carter was also surprisingly ruled out before kickoff). Dart converted a long third down with a jump ball pass to Lil’Jordan Humphrey and put All-Pro linebacker Zack Baun on skates for a 20-yard touchdown run for the Giants’ first score of the game.

On the next drive, Dart stayed calm in the pocket as the Eagles’ pass rush approached. The Ole Miss product turned to his right, found Wan’Dale Robinson for a first down and Robinson did the rest – sprinting down the right sideline for a 35-yard touchdown and an early 13-3 advantage. 

“They just love ball,’ Thomas said of both Dart and Skattebo. ‘They’re not really focused or concerned about how old they are, how many games they’ve been in, just they love football, they’re passionate about it, they play their tails off. And they brings guys with them.” 

Inside the huddle, Bellinger said, Dart is mature and shows almost no nerves while staying in control of his emotions.

“Brings us into the game and ready to (expletive) go,” Bellinger said.

Skattebo scored his first touchdown with 1:19 left before halftime and put New York back on top for good. He added one score in the third and fourth quarter apiece and finished with a taunting penalty for good measure. Seventy-nine of his rushing yards came after contact, while 47 yards came against stacked boxes (eight or more defenders), according to Next Gen Stats

“It’s been awesome,’ Skattebo said of emerging as a fan favorite. ‘They feel the energy. They see it. They know we have something behind us, the little underdog feeling that lights a fire underneath us and gets us to keep going.

“I feel it. But there’s a spark that comes from a lot of guys, too.”

From Day 1, running back Tyrone Tracy said, Skattebo has been outspoken, loud and emotional. His friendly slap of cornerback Cordale Flott, who picked off Jalen Hurts in the red zone, was an example.

“You need someone like that on your team that’s going to speak up and be loud and have that energy and producing like that,” Tracy told USA TODAY Sports. “That’s just him being him. Not everybody’s going to be like that.”

The rookies’ larger roles have also increased the Giants’ efficiency in situational downs; they were 11-for-16 (69%) on third down and scored on all of their red zone and goal-to-go scenarios.

Daboll said he has liked everything about Dart since draft night. The coach doesn’t expect perfection, but the toughness and vision, combined with the athleticism, has been noticed by Daboll. Dart has won two of his first three starts but there remains ‘a lot to work on.” 

“He’ll be the first to tell you that,” Daboll said, “but he’s a leader.” 

Not turning the ball over was a priority and topic of conversation for Dart and Skattebo during their talks since Sunday’s loss to the New Orleans Saints, when the Giants coughed the ball up five times.

“We’re just trying to set a standard of intensity here each and every single day,” Dart said.

“Me and him do a lot of things on the side together, talk a lot together, about kind of getting this turned around,” Skattebo said about the time he and Dart spend with one another.

Those conversations may involve just the two of them, but they realize they are not alone in the effort. Getting everybody on the same page, buying into positivity and improving may start with them but it doesn’t end there.

“We need to continue to build and build and build each and every day and have these guys with positive mindsets and get away from that losing mindset,” said Skattebo, who added he felt the sideline’s confidence whether they were trailing by three in the first half or leading by 17 for the last 10 minutes of the game.

“When your quarterback is that way, it’s a lot easier,” Skattebo said.

It’s also not simply Dart or Skattebo changing the vibe.

“It’s everybody in the building,” Skattebo said.

That may be true. But there is no denying that the two precocious ‘Big Blue’ rookies are the heartbeat behind any potential turnaround for the Giants.

This story has been updated with new information.

LOS ANGELES – Raja Jackson, the son of former Ultimate Fighting Championship champion Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson, pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged attack on a professional wrestler, his lawyers told USA TODAY on Oct. 9.

Raja Jackson, 25, faces one felony count of battery with bodily injury and one misdemeanor count of battery, according to charging documents obtained by USA TODAY. A preliminary hearing is set for Nov. 24 at the San Fernando Courthouse in Los Angeles, according to California Superior Court records.

The felony charge carries a potential sentence of up to four years in prison, though charging documents indicate prosecutors are seeking an enhancement that could result in a maximum sentence of up to seven years in prison.

Raja Jackson was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department in September and released on $50,00 bail, according to the booking records. His lawyer, Michael Freedman, declined to comment on the case beyond the not-guilty plea when reached by USA TODAY.

What is Raja Jackson accused of?

The charges stem from a viral incident where Raja Jackson allegedly interrupted a match during the ‘Knox Experience’ show put on by KnokX Pro Wrestling Academy on Aug. 23. He was seen on a live-streamed video picking up, slamming, and repeatedly punching Stuart Smith, who wrestles under the name Syko Stu.

As seen on the livestream reviewed by USA TODAY, the two appeared to have agreed that Raja Jackson would make a scripted interruption after a heated interaction before the show. The wrestling academy said that the wrestling spot turned into a “selfish, irresponsible act of violence against Mr. Smith” in a statement posted Aug. 24.

Douglas Malo, a wrestler who was involved in the ensuing melee, previously told USA TODAY in an interview that Smith lost ‘a lot of teeth’ in the incident. The misdemeanor charge stems from Raja Jackson’s altercation with Malo, according to the charging documents.

Smith was released from the hospital Aug. 31 and said in an Instagram post that he suffered multiple injuries, including a fractured bone in his face and a ‘serious head injury.’

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – A near-nightmare situation for the New York Giants unfolded on MetLife Stadium’s much-maligned turf Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. 

Rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, making his third professional start, stayed down after taking a sack from Eagles defensive lineman Patrick Johnson late in the third quarter and with the Giants leading 27-17.

Dart remained on the ground for a couple of minutes and banged his right leg onto the turf in frustration. He eventually hopped up and jogged off the field. Russell Wilson, New York’s starter for the first three games of the season, replaced him. 

It was later announced that Dart cleared a concussion evaluation, and would reenter the game on the Giants’ ensuing offensive possession. But not before some sideline hijinks involving head coach Brian Daboll and rookie running back Cam Skattebo, who ran over to the blue medical tent as Dart was undergoing tests.

Daboll apologized to the Giants’ team orthopedist, Dr. Scott A. Rodeo, who was standing near the medical tent and drew the head coach’s ire as Dart remained in the tent.

“If you’ve ever been on an NFL sideline there’s a lot of emotions,” Daboll said.

Daboll wanted Dart back on the field as he considered going for a fourth down and was asking how long it would take for Dart to be cleared since he would have burned a timeout ‘not at risk of anything else’ regarding his quarterback, he said.  

“I was in the wrong,” Daboll said.

It felt like an eternity inside the confines of the tent for Dart.  

“It felt so long,” Dart said. “I was just trying to get back on the field. I understand they have a protocol and whatnot but I was just trying to get out there fast.”

Skattebo joked that he was making sure Dart ‘wasn’t hurting anybody in the injury tent.’

“He’s a dog,’ Skattebo said of his fellow rookie. ‘He wants to be back on the field. I knew going over there, I needed to calm down a little bit, because I knew he was going to be on fire. 

“He was a little fired up.”

Dart was 16 of 22 for 187 passing yards and a touchdown throwing the ball and had seven carries for 51 yards and a score on the ground. 

Dart also exited his first start, a win over the Los Angeles Chargers, briefly while being evaluated for a concussion. 

This story has been updated with new information.

The Chicago Cubs beat the Milwaukee Brewers 6-0 at Wrigley Field in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Oct. 9 to force a winner-take-all showdown in Milwaukee.

The Cubs jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning on Ian Happ’s three-run homer and the score stayed that way until Chicago added runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth to put the game out of reach.

The Brewers won the first two games of the series at home and looked to be heading towards a romp against their NL Central rival, but the Cubs recovered to win Game 3 on Wednesday and delay Milwaukee’s celebrations at least another day.

Now, the series heads back up the Lake Michigan coastline with Game 5 is set for Saturday at American Family Field.

‘We had to earn two hard-fought wins. We did that,’ Brewers manager Craig Counsell told reporters. ‘Now we get the opportunity and the fun of getting to go close out a series.’

Since the wild card era began in 1995, only seven teams have come back from a 2-0 deficit to win a division series, most recently the New York Yankees in 2017.

Here’s how Thursday’s game unfolded:

Carson Kelly home run overturned

Chicago’s catcher hit a bomb down the left field line that was initially ruled a fair ball inside the foul poll and two-run homer. The play was reviewed and replays showed it was foul, missing the pole by a few inches.

Kelly was called back out to finish the at-bat and grounded out on a play that the Cubs challenged.

Kyle Tucker home run makes it 5-0 Cubs

Kyle Tucker greeted new Brewers pitcher Robert Gasser with an opposite-field solo home, extending Chicago’s lead to 5-0 in the bottom of the seventh.

Tucker, acquired last winter, is a free agent at the end of the season and is expected to fetch one of the biggest contracts in MLB history.

Matt Shaw adds insurance run for Cubs

Carson Kelly reached on an error and Aaron Ashby walked Dansby Swanson before Matt Shaw hit an RBI single to center to make it 4-0. But the Brewers avoided further damage with Ashby getting Michael Busch before Chad Patrick came on to retire Nico Hoerner and strand runners on second and third.

Cubs squander chance to blow it open

Aaron Ashby came on to replace Trevor Megill, who had put runners on first and second in the bottom of the fifth. The Brewers’ lefty walked Kyle Tucker to load the bases but struck out Seiya Suzuki and got Ian Happ to fly out to center to strand all three runners

Matthew Boyd, Cubs escape jam in fifth

After an uneventful fourth inning for both clubs, Chicago starter Matthew Boyd ran into some trouble to start the fifth. Sal Frelick doubled and Blake Perkins walked before No. 9 hitter Joey Ortiz moved them over with a sacrifice bunt.

Boyd was able to punch out Christian Yelich, though, and then was lifted from the game. Boyd went 4.2 innings, finishing with six strikeouts and three walks.

Daniel Palencia came on in relief and got Jackson Chourio to pop out, ending the threat.

The Cubs still lead 3-0.

Score after 3 innings: Cubs 3, Brewers 0

Freddy Peralta finally had a quiet inning in the third, retiring the side in order.

Counterpart Matthew Boyd has had little trouble so far, allowing just one hit and two walks.

Still 3-0 Cubs after 2 innings

Brewers starter Freddy Peralta got himself into another jam in the second, with an infield single followed by a walk with two outs, but this time he managed to get out of it.

Ian Happ homer gives Cubs early lead

The Cubs’ bid to force a decisive Game 5 is off to a good start.

Ian Happ hammered a ball into the right field seats at Wrigley Field to give the Cubs a 3-0 lead in the first inning.

Brewers starter Freddy Peralta got in trouble as Nico Hoerner reached base with a single and then Kyle Tucker walked to put men on first and second with one out. Peralta got Seiya Suzuki to strike out but Happ pounced on his 1-1 offering down the middle.

Peralta struck out Carson Kelly to end the inning, but significant damage had already been done.

What time is Cubs vs Brewers game tonight?

First pitch in Game 4 is scheduled for 9:08 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field.

Where to watch Brewers vs Cubs: TV channel, live stream

Thursday’s Game 4 will air on TBS and HBO Max and can be streamed with Sling TV. With the Phillies-Dodgers game going to extra innings, Game 4 between the Brewers and Cubs is beginning on TNT.

Watch Cubs vs Phillies on Sling TV

Get your MLB postseason questions answered!

USA TODAY Sports MLB reporter Gabe Lacques is taking questions live at 11:30 a.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 10.

Submit questions now and stop by for the full Q&A on USATODAY.com.

Brewers lineup tonight

1. Christian Yelich (L) DH
2. Jackson Chourio (R) LF
3. William Contreras (R) C
4. Brice Turang (L) 2B
5. Andrew Vaughn (R) 1B
6. Caleb Durbin (R) 3B
7. Sal Frelick (L) RF
8. Blake Perkins (S) CF

Cubs lineup tonight

1. Michael Busch (L) 1B
2. Nico Hoerner (R) 2B
3. Kyle Tucker (L) DH
4. Seiya Suzuki (R) RF
5. Ian Happ (S) LF
6. Carson Kelly (R) C
7. Pete Crow-Armstrong (L) CF
8. Dansby Swanson (R) SS
9. Matt Shaw (R) 3B

Cubs vs Brewers prediction, odds

From Sept. 29, 2024 through last Saturday, the Philadelphia Eagles lost two just regular season games. They’ve now equaled that in the last five days.

Philadelphia went on the road to take on NFC East foe New York on ‘Thursday Night Football’ and it was the Giants – led by their star rookies – who won the first game of Week 6 34-17 at MetLife Stadium.

Philadelphia scored a field goal on their opening drive but New York fired back with consecutive touchdown drives thanks to their rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart.

The first-round pick out of Ole Miss took in himself from 19 yards out to open the scoring for New York. He found Wan’Dale Robinson on the right sideline on their next drive and the wide receiver took it 35 yards to the house for another score.

Philadelphia responded with touchdowns on a 75- and 74-yard drive to take a 17-13 lead midway through the second quarter behind a ‘Tush Push’ touchdown by Jalen Hurts. That ended up being the last time the Eagles crossed the goal line for a score.

Giants rookie running back Cam Skattebo scored the first of his three rushing touchdowns on the next drive to put New York up 20-17 at halftime. A couple of Skattebo touchdowns and two key turnovers late in the fourth quarter sealed the win for the Giants, their second in three weeks.

Dart finished 17-of-25 passing for 195 yards and a touchdown as well as 13 carries for 58 yards and a score on the ground. Skattebo had 110 total yards (98 rushing, 12 receiving) and three touchdowns.

Philadelphia’s offense struggled against the Giants. The Eagles went just 1 of 9 on third down and Hurts’ interception late in the fourth quarter ended any hopes of a comeback. Former Giant Saquon Barkley managed just 58 yards on 12 carries as the Eagles failed to reach 100 yards rushing as a team for the fourth week in a row.

New York heads on the road next week against the Denver Broncos (3-2), who just handed Philadelphia their first loss of the season four days ago. The Eagles stay on the road again in Week 7 with a game against the Minnesota Vikings (3-2).

USA TODAY Sports provided live updates, highlights and more from the Week 6 matchup between the Giants and Eagles on Thursday night below.

Giants vs. Eagles takeaways

Jaxson Dart lives up to first-round hype

New York traded up for Dart in the 2025 NFL Draft and were panned by many for doing so. He’s now led the team to two wins in the last three weeks. Tonight, the Ole Miss product stood strong in the face of pressure and delivered regularly to keep the Giants’ offense moving. He completed 17 of 25 passes and, if not for a few drops, could’ve had an even better night.

Turnovers crush hopes for Eagles comeback

In the last 20 quarters of football Philadelphia played entering Thursday night, the Eagles had turned the ball over once: a Jalen Hurts fumble in Week 3. They were well in range to make this a 3-point contest early on in the fourth quarter but Hurts’ interception in the red zone swung things back in New York’s favor. An A.J. Dillon fumble on their ensuing drive sealed the loss as the Giants ran out the clock.

NFC East hierarchy becomes anarchy

Just 10 days ago, the Eagles looked well in control of the division with four wins – as many as the rest of the division combined. Now Washington has a chance to pull even in the wins column at home against the Chicago Bears in primetime on Monday night. In a couple of weeks, New York and Philadelphia will face off again in what could be a must-win for the Eagles before their bye.

Giants vs. Eagles highlights

Jaxson Dart stats vs. Eagles

The Giants rookie passer had an efficient, effective showing vs. the Eagles:

• 17/25 passing
• 195 yards
• 2 touchdowns (one rushing, one passing)
• 13 carries, 58 yards

Eagles turn the ball over again on A.J. Dillon fumble

Philadelphia ends a drive with a turnover once again as running back A.J. Dillon took a pass from Jalen Hurts for a first down but fumbled before his knee came down. The Giants’ defense recovered the ball and the offense takes over at their own 25-yard line with 6:25 left in the game.

Eagles vs Giants score: Cam Skattebo finds the end zone again

New York made the most of two key mistakes by the Eagles: a Jalen Hurts interception and defensive pass interference in the end zone on cornerback Kelee Ringo. That penalty on third-and-8 brought the Giants to the 1-yard line and Skattebo punched it in for his third touchdown of the night.

Jude McAtamney made the extra point and New York has now doubled up the defending champions with 9:41 to go in the game.

Jalen Hurts throws costly interception deep in the red zone

Hurts dropped back to pass from the Giants’ 15-yard line and fired off a pass under pressure to the left side towards Jahan Dotson. New York cornerback Cordale Flott intercepted the pass and sprinted down the sideline before getting knocked out of bounds at the Eagles’ 23-yard line.

The Giants offense takes over with 11:25 to go in the game.

When was the last time the Giants beat the Eagles?

While the Eagles have held recent dominance over the Giants, it hasn’t been too long since the last time the Giants beat their division rival. The Giants beat the Eagles in Week 18 of 2024, by a 27-10 tally.

Another punt for the Giants’ offense

Quarterback Jaxson Dart returned to the game to applause throughout MetLife Stadium but he couldn’t spark the Giants’ offense. New York went two yards in three plays before punting back to Philadelphia. The Eagles’ offense will take over at its own 34-yard line with 12:51 to go in the game.

End of 3rd quarter: Giants 27, Eagles 17

The Eagles’ defense forced a punt after Jaxson Dart left the game for New York but the offense hasn’t done much with that opportunity. Philadelphia will open the fourth quarter facing third-and-12 from their own 10-yard line.

Jaxson Dart injury update: Giants QB slow to get up after sack, exits game

The Giants’ rookie quarterback couldn’t evade pressure on first-and-10 from the Eagles’ 43-yard line and took a hard hit from multiple defenders. Dart eventually got up under his own power and jogged to the medical tent. Veteran Russell Wilson is now in the game for the Giants at quarterback.

Brian Burns sacks Jalen Hurts again to force another punt

Philadelphia gained 14 yards on a first-down pass from Hurts to Dallas Goedert to start their drive but went backward from there. Burns chased down Hurts for his second sack of the game on third-and-7 for a loss of nine yards. The Eagles punted again to give the Giants the ball back again with 5:25 left in the third quarter.

Eagles vs Giants score: Skattebo rumbles in for another TD

The Giants’ rookie running back brought the New York offense near the goal line with a 12-yard run on 2nd and 10 from the Eagles’ 13-yard line. He powered through on a second effort one play later to give the Giants a two-score advantage over the Eagles.

Jude McAtamney’s extra point is good and the Giants extend their lead with 7:56 to go in the third quarter.

Quinyon Mitchell injury update: Eagles CB ruled out of game

The Eagles’ first-round draft pick from a year ago has now been ruled out of tonight’s game with a hamstring injury. Veteran Adoree’ Jackson will likely play in Mitchell’s place for the rest of the game at outside cornerback.

Jalen Hurts overthrows DeVonta Smith, Eagles punt

These two offenses punted once each in the first half. They’ve now done that in the first two drives of the second half. Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts overthrew wideout DeVonta Smith on third-and-6 from their own 11-yard line and the Eagles kicked it back to the Giants. New York takes over at their own 44-yard line.

Giants punt after Theo Johnson can’t hang on

New York went three-and-out to open the second half and settled for their second punt of the game. Quarterback Jaxson Dart fired a pass deep to Johnson in the face of unblocked pressure but the tight end couldn’t control the ball to the ground and it was ruled incomplete.

The Eagles’ offense takes over at their own 7-yard line following an unnecessary roughness penalty on the punt with 13:43 to go in the third quarter.

Halftime: Giants 20, Eagles 17

Philadelphia barely got to midfield in the final 79 seconds of the half and ran out of time to get in range for kicker Jake Elliott to get in range for a game-tying field goal. The Eagles go into halftime down three points to the Giants, who will receive the second-half kickoff.

This is the first time the Giants have led at halftime over the Eagles since Week 18 of the 2023 season.

Eagles vs Giants score: Cam Skattebo gives Giants lead ahead of halftime

New York responded to the Eagles’ long scoring drive with one of their own. The Giants marched 67 yards in 15 plays to take the lead. This time, it was another Giants rookie to find the end zone as Skattebo powered over the left guard from four yards out for the go-ahead touchdown.

Jude McAtamney knocked through the extra point to take a three-point lead with 1:19 left in the first half.

Quinyon Mitchell injury update: Eagles CB questionable to return

Philadelphia’s top cornerback is on the sideline as the game nears halftime with what the team is calling a hamstring injury. He is questionable to return to tonight’s game and the Eagles have veteran Adoree’ Jackson in the game in his place.

Eagles vs Giants score: Philadelphia uses ‘Tush Push’ to take the lead

Philadelphia called their infamous ‘Tush Push’ play four times in a row inside the Giants’ 5-yard line to get the go-ahead score. Quarterback Jalen Hurts broke past the goal line from one yard out to cap off a 13-play, 74-yard drive that took nearly eight minutes off the game clock.

Jake Elliott’s extra point is good and Philadelphia takes a four-point lead with 6:56 to go in the first half.

Eagles vs Giants score: Hurts flips ball to Dallas Goedert for TD

Philadelphia’s offense marched 72 yards in seven plays for their first touchdown of the game. Quarterback Jalen Hurts took the snap from under center with an empty backfield and tossed the ball to Goedert for a 3-yard touchdown.

Jake Elliott’s extra point is good and the Eagles cut the deficit to three points with 1:49 to go in the first quarter.

Eagles vs. Giants score: Wan’Dale Robinson breaks free for TD

It took just four plays for the New York offense to march 66 yards for a score. Quarterback Jaxson Dart scrambled away from pressure on second-and-9 and found Wan’Dale Robinson on the right sideline. Robinson broke free from an Andrew Mukuba tackle and sprinted down the right sideline for another Giants touchdown.

Jude McAtamney’s extra point is no good but the Giants hold a 10-point lead with 5:37 to go in the first quarter.

Brian Burns sacks Jalen Hurts to end Eagles’ drive

New York’s defense stonewalled Saquon Barkley on second-and-5 from the Eagles’ 34-yard line for a loss of three yards. On the next play, Giants edge rusher Brian Burns looped inside for a drive-stopping sack and a loss of eight yards.

The Giants’ offense gets the ball back on their own 34-yard line with 7:39 left in the first quarter.

Eagles vs. Giants score: Jaxson Dart calls his own number for go-ahead TD

Facing third-and-7 from the Eagles’ 19-yard line, Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart avoided a tackler and sprinted for a touchdown, his second rushing score of the rookie season. A 34-yard shot from Dart to Lil’Jordan Humphrey set up the Giants near the red zone.

New York leads Philadelphia with 9:59 to go in the first quarter.

Eagles vs. Giants score: Philadelphia’s offense sputters, settles for FG

Saquon Barkley ran for 31 yards on his first two carries but the Eagles’ offense managed just five yards with him off the field for a breather. Dallas Goedert couldn’t get past the marker on third-and-10 from the Giants’ 29 and the Eagles brought out the special teams unit.

Jake Elliott knocked through a 42-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead with 11:59 to go in the first quarter.

Saquon Barkley takes first snap vs. Giants for 19 yards

Well, that didn’t take long: Saquon Barkley took his first snap for 19 yards right up the gut to give the Eagles a first down. He went right back up the middle for another first down.

Eagles starting the game on offense

Philadelphia will have great field position because the opening kickoff did not fall in the landing zone (inside the 20-yard line). Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkely and company will begin their first drive from their own 40-yard line.

What time does the Giants game start tonight?

• Kickoff time: 8:15 p.m. ET

The Philadelphia Eagles travel to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ to take on the New York Giants at 8:15 p.m. ET on Thursday night.

What TV channel is New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles on today?

• New York market: WNYW (Fox 5)
• Philadelphia market: WTFX (Fox 29)

The game will be broadcast on TV locally for those in the New York and Philadelphia TV markets.

MetLife turf ‘played a part’ in Jalen Carter not playing, report says

NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport, while reporting on Prime Video’s pre-game broadcast, said Carter, in what was ‘somewhat of a surprise’ development, was sitting out with a heel injury. Rapoport added that ‘the turf at MetLife Stadium played a part in (Carter’s) decision.’ – Nate Davis

Giants record in primetime games

Dating back to 2019, the Giants have put forth a subpar showing under the brightest lights. The Giants are 2-20 in night games since 2019, including a 1-12 record at MetLife. – Chris Bumbaca

Jalen Carter inactive

Eagles defensive star Jalen Carter will not play vs. the Giants with a heel injury. He was listed as questionable earlier in the week with the ailment, leading to his deactivation for Thursday’s matchup.

What happened to Malik Nabers?

During the Giants’ Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Chargers, Nabers tore his ACL and meniscus while leaping to try to catch a pass.

Giants vs. Eagles live stream

• Live stream: Amazon Prime Video

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Giants inactives vs. Eagles

The Giants will be without wide receiver Darius Slayton, further hampering their wide receiver corps. Here’s the rest of the list:

• WR Darius Slayton
• ILB Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles
• ILB Swayze Bozeman
• T James Hudson III
• OL Evan Neal
• DL Elijah Garcia
• QB Jameis Winston (3rd QB)

Eagles inactives vs. Giants

The Eagles will be without a couple of stars in the trenches: Defensive lineman Jalen Carter will be out, while guard Landon Dickerson will be out, as well.

• CB Mac McWilliams
• G Landon Dickerson
• TE Grant Calcaterra
• WR Xavier Gipson
• DT Jalen Carter
• QB Sam Howell (3rd QB)

Giants vs. Eagles prediction

It will be a beautiful October night in East Rutherford and spooky season is getting underway. The defending champs have not lost back-to-back games since December 2023, and it’s not likely that streak ends tonight against a reeling Giants team with a rookie quarterback. This has all the feels of a perfect spot for the Eagles to get right. The struggling stars Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown will lead the charge to a double-digit win.

Prediction: Eagles 26, Giants 16