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 2026 Week 9 matchup the Eagles have against the New York 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.”
Eagles to Have Trap Game vs. Giants in Week 9?
The Penn Live writer was clearly concerned about the Week 7 and 8 2026 matchups for the Eagles.
In those games, Philadelphia will have back-to-back primetime games against division opponents. First, the Eagles will host the Dallas Cowboys on Monday Night Football during Week 7. Then six days later, the Eagles visit the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football.
With those pivotal showdowns back-to-back, McGonigal argued the game before and after the Cowboys-Commanders stretch could be dangerous traps for Philadelphia.
After facing the Giants in Week 9, the Eagles will have their bye. Sometimes, that’s a way for teams to avoid “traps.” That’s because there isn’t another immediate opponent on the schedule to look ahead to.
But McGonigal sees the Eagles potentially looking ahead for extra rest after a tough stretch in the NFC East.
“I’m not saying the Giants are going to be good in 2026. But we saw Jaxson Dart and Cam Skattebo cause problems for the Eagles last October, beating them at MetLife Stadium. That was without star receiver Malik Nabers. And they’ve since added first-round edge rusher Arvell Reese to pair with Abdul Carter. New York has enough to make things interesting,” wrote McGonigal.
Jalen Hurts Success Against New York Giants
The Eagles will have to be on guard to avoid two potential trap games in the early part of the 2026 campaign. But against the Giants, Philadelphia can have confidence based on how successful Hurts has been in his career versus New York.
Hurts owns a 7-4 overall record versus the Giants.
To McGonigal’s point, though, it hasn’t always been pretty for Hurts against New York. Hurts has thrown 11 touchdowns versus seven interceptions in his career versus the Giants. He has also averaged 6.9 yards per attempt.
Hurts has rushed for five touchdowns in those contests too while averaging 4.7 yards per carry.
Despite another division title in 2025, the Eagles are hoping for a much better offensive statistical season this fall. Hurts playing well against the NFC East, including the Giants, would go a long way.
Jalen Hurts, Eagles Receive Warning on 2026 NFC East Rivalry Matchup