Giants' Brian Daboll explains starting Tommy DeVito vs. Eagles

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll spoke with reporters on Monday and elaborated on why rookie quarterback Tommy DeVito will start when Big Blue plays at the Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas Day. 

"He's earned it," Daboll said about DeVito, per the Giants' official website. "I'm not going to make a week-to-week change. He's earned it. It's not always going to be perfect, but he's earned the opportunity to play." 

DeVito endured a rough outing at the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 12 before the New Jersey native became a local celebrity and a hometown hero for guiding the Giants to three straight victories. However, the undrafted 25-year-old came back down to earth in a big way when he completed 20-of-34 passes for 177 scoreless yards in Sunday's humbling 24-6 loss at the New Orleans Saints that dropped the Giants to 5-9. 

According to ESPN, DeVito took seven sacks and eight quarterback hits at New Orleans' Caesars Superdome. Backup Tyrod Taylor saw some action when DeVito was evaluated in the medical tent during the game's second quarter, but Daboll insisted on Monday that the first-year pro is merely "sore" coming off Sunday's contest. 

Daboll also said he feels DeVito gives the team the best chance to win. 

The Giants technically aren't eliminated from postseason contention, but the ESPN Football Power Index gave them a 0.1% chance to make the playoffs as of Monday afternoon. As for the 10-3 Eagles, they dropped two games in a row ahead of Monday's prime-time matchup at the 6-7 Seattle Seahawks. 

In total, DeVito has completed 103-of-160 passes for 1,032 yards with eight touchdowns and three interceptions across seven games. He added 190 rushing yards and a score on 35 carries over those contests, but he's also taken a whopping 35 sacks. 

With Week 1 starter Daniel Jones sidelined due to the season-ending torn ACL he suffered on Nov. 5, Daboll and company should want to spend the campaign's final three weeks learning what DeVito is and/or isn't as an NFL quarterback. With that said, Daboll may need to protect DeVito if the rookie takes yet another beating on Christmas.