There’s a lot of discourse about whether or not trap games actually exist in the NFL. In professional sports, opponents aren’t really supposed to catch teams by surprise. But it does happen, and if Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles aren’t careful, an NFC East rival could do that to them this upcoming season.
Pennlive.com’s Johnny McGonigal clearly believes in trap games. On Saturday, he identified three potential trap games for the Eagles in the 2026 season.
McGonigal picked the Week 9 matchup the Eagles have against the Giants as a possible trap game.
“It’s hard to label an NFC East game as a “trap.” They’re all important. They’re all long standing rivalries. The energy (and the hate) will be flowing,” wrote McGonigal.
“But after Carolina, the Eagles have back-to-back primetime games against the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders in Weeks 7 and 8. And after the Giants game, the Eagles will have their much-needed bye in Week 10.
“Could the Eagles get caught looking ahead? They almost did last year right before their bye week. The Eagles beat New York, 38-20. But that game could’ve ended a lot differently (or at least closer) if the referees correctly called a “tush push” fumble on Jalen Hurts.”
Jalen Hurts, Eagles Receive Warning on 2026 NFC East Rivalry Matchup