Eagles Face Their Biggest Challenge Yet: Containing Brian Burns and the Giants’ Relentless Rush

The Philadelphia Eagles don’t need any reminders of what happened the last time they lined up against the New York Giants.
It was only two weeks ago, but it feels like a wound that hasn’t quite healed.

That Thursday night in the Meadowlands, the Eagles’ offensive line — usually one of the NFL’s most dependable units — was dominated. They allowed constant pressure, struggled to establish the run, and ultimately surrendered control to a hungry Giants defense that played like it had something to prove.

At the center of it all was Brian Burns, the relentless pass-rushing menace who turned the game into his personal highlight reel.

The Brian Burns Problem

Few defenders in football are playing at the level Burns is right now. Through seven weeks, the Giants’ edge rusher leads the NFL with nine sacks, along with 26 quarterback pressures and 21 tackles. He’s been disruptive in every sense — bending around tackles with elite speed, using violent hands, and chasing down plays from the backside with an energy that borders on chaotic.

When asked about facing Burns again this week, Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata didn’t hide his frustration.

“That was my worst game as a pro,” Mailata admitted. “He beat me inside, outside, and everything in between. I’ve got to wear that.”

He’s right. On the Eagles’ second offensive series in that loss, Mailata gave up a crushing eight-yard sack to Burns, who ripped through him inside and took down Jalen Hurts before the quarterback could even plant his feet. It was the kind of play that sets the tone — and the Giants never looked back, cruising to a 34–17 win.

Now, as the Eagles prepare to host New York again, Burns looms large as the one man capable of wrecking Philadelphia’s game plan before it even starts.

A Perfect Storm for New York

Burns’ impact goes beyond individual stats. He’s the emotional spark plug of a Giants defense that suddenly believes it can bully anyone in the league.

After a narrow one-point loss to Denver last week, the Giants are angry and motivated — and with Burns returning to practice Friday after a minor hip injury, the timing couldn’t be worse for Philadelphia.

“Brian sets the tone for everything we do,” said Giants head coach Brian Daboll. “When he’s on the field, everyone feeds off that energy.”

Burns isn’t just fast — he’s smart. Against the Eagles in Week 6, he repeatedly adjusted his angles based on Mailata’s footwork, switching from power moves to finesse in a single drive. The result? Chaos.

Even veteran right tackle Lane Johnson, one of the league’s best, struggled against rookie Abdul Carter, another Penn State product who gave the Giants a second wave of pressure opposite Burns. When both edges are winning, the Giants become a defensive nightmare.

The Eagles’ Offensive Line Under Pressure

The Eagles’ biggest strength is supposed to be their offensive line. But between injuries and inconsistency, that unit hasn’t looked like its usual self.

With Cam Jurgens sidelined by a knee injury, Brett Toth steps in at center, shifting responsibilities and chemistry across the line. That’s not ideal when facing a defensive front led by Burns and Dexter Lawrence, one of the NFL’s most dominant interior linemen.

“Communication is everything,” Toth said. “When you’re going against guys who move pre-snap, twist, and disguise pressure like the Giants, you can’t blink.”

But blinking was exactly what the Eagles did last time. They failed to adjust protection schemes, struggled to identify stunts, and let Hurts take too many hits.

This time, offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland has spent the week hammering fundamentals — hand placement, leverage, and recognition. Expect more quick passes and screen designs to counteract New York’s speed.

Still, none of that matters if the Eagles can’t contain Burns off the edge.

Hurts vs. the Heat

For Jalen Hurts, the challenge goes beyond the pass rush — it’s about staying patient. Against the Giants earlier this month, Hurts was forced to scramble far more than usual. His timing was disrupted, and the offense never found rhythm.

Two of Philadelphia’s three turnovers this season came in that loss. Hurts threw his only interception of the year while under heavy pressure, trying to escape Burns’ reach.

When asked about facing Burns again, Hurts kept his answer short.

“We know what we’re up against. It’s about execution.”

Without A.J. Brown (hamstring), Hurts loses his top receiver and security blanket on contested throws. That means he’ll need to trust DeVonta Smith and Dallas Goedert to create separation quickly — and rely on his legs when protection inevitably collapses.

Look for the Eagles to emphasize RPOs (run-pass options) early to slow down the rush, forcing Burns and company to hesitate before firing off the line. Screens to running back D’Andre Swift could also help neutralize the edges.

If the Eagles can make Burns think instead of react, they have a chance.

Stopping the Run, Winning the Battle

While the spotlight shines on Burns, the Giants’ front seven as a whole deserves credit. In that Week 6 game, they bottled up Saquon Barkley on the other side and limited the Eagles’ ground attack to a season-low yardage total.

Philadelphia’s offense thrives when it can establish the run, control tempo, and wear defenses down. Without that balance, Hurts becomes a sitting target.

Left tackle Mailata admitted that the line took last game personally.

“They punched us in the mouth,” he said. “This week, we’ve got to punch back.”

The Giants, however, know that confidence is their greatest weapon. They’ve already beaten the defending NFC champions once this season — and they believe they can do it again.

What’s at Stake

For the Eagles, this game is about more than revenge — it’s about identity.

They’ve dealt with injuries, media noise, and inconsistency. A dominant performance on Sunday could reestablish the physical, disciplined brand of football that defined their Super Bowl run two seasons ago.

If they can protect Hurts, stay balanced offensively, and slow down Burns, the Eagles should have enough firepower to win at home and maintain their lead in the NFC East.

If not? The Giants could walk out of Lincoln Financial Field with their first season sweep over Philadelphia since 2007 — and Brian Burns could cement his status as the Eagles’ new nemesis.

Final Word

Burns doesn’t talk much. He doesn’t have to. His play does the talking — fast, violent, and decisive.

For the Eagles, Sunday isn’t just another game. It’s a chance to prove they can handle adversity, patch up their weaknesses, and keep their championship aspirations alive.

Because if they can’t find a way to contain Brian Burns, all the noise about injuries, depth, and play-calling won’t matter. The story of Week 8 will be simple —
The Giants brought the heat again, and the Eagles got burned.