The Philadelphia Inquirer had an article this morning all about how Eagles TE Dallas Goedert’s stiff-arming of Giants CB Adoree’ Jackson in the first quarter set the tone for the game — and they were absolutely right.

Within the first few minutes of the game, it became clear that this divisional rivalry was going to be pretty one-sided. Jalen Hurts’ screen pass to Goedert in the first five minutes of the game, resulting in the stiff-arming and subsequent touchdown, made it obvious that this was a well-rested and renewed Eagles team that took the field. Anxieties and questions about the Birds’ ability to function well after a bi week (which didn’t go so well against the Commanders earlier this season), and about just how hot the Giants were coming off an upset against the Vikings last week, faded with Goedert’s touchdown.

Anxieties about the team’s overall health also dissipated within the first few plays of the game. Hurts was able to rack up 154 passing yards and showed no signs of pain in his shoulder. RT Lane Johnson, who suffered a groin injury earlier in the season, also looked tough; at one point in the first half he seemed to showing signs of discomfort, but he played the rest of the game without pause. The offensive line, which had appeared banged up in previous games, were able to make big holes for both Miles Sanders and Kenneth Gainwell to rush for over 260 yards.

Going into the game, my biggest hope was that Hurts would give it to WR A.J. Brown and that would be that. Just pass the ball every. Single. Play, and everything will be fine. I, like everyone else, was pleasantly surprised with the Eagles run game — and it looked like Brown was too. With only 22 yards, Brown was largely absent from the win, and at times he looked visibly annoyed by this.

But hey: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

And the Eagles found their pace with the run game. It wore the Giants defense down and made the Giants’ defensive coordinator Don Martindale increasingly agitated.

The Giants defense was one of my concerns, but my other big concern was the Giants offense. QB Daniel Jones recently realized that he can run, and he scrambled against the Vikings last weekend. However OLB Haason Reddick seemed driven by some divine force to bottle Jones up; back-to-back plays against Jones near the 50 yard line forced a turnover and renewed faith in this Eagles defense.

It seemed like everyone on the Eagles defense had a chance to shine: CB James Bradberry (and former Giant) had a fantastic pick against Jones, again stopping any momentum they tried to gain. RB Saquon Barkley was unable to get anything beyond a few runs here and there; the Eagles defense was able to keep him to 61 yards. Safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson also looked great keeping the Giants pass game limited. It largely looked like the Giants offense was just out-coached and out-played, testament to defense coordinator Jonathan Gannon’s performance.

So now I’m torn about today’s game between Dallas and San Francisco: do I cheer for Dallas to win, because they could be an easier opponent for us next weekend? Or do I cheer for the Niners, simply because I cannot stand the thought of playing Dallas in a championship game?

My enthusiasm in the next week depends on how this evening’s game goes. For now it’s nice to remind Giants fans who are the top dogs around here.