Preview
The NFC East is completely wide open. No team has more than 2 wins, and there is plenty of divisional football still to be played. The Eagles began to mount a furious comeback against the Vikings last week and fell just short, while the Giants suffered a heartbreaking loss after a game-winning, 63-yard field goal by Panthers kicker Graham Gano. This game is a must-win for New York — a 1-5 hole is all but insurmountable. The stakes aren’t quite as high for Philadelphia, but a loss would put them in last place in the division for the time being.
Players to watch
The name of the game this week is PRESSURE. The Giants have failed to generate pressure with just a 4 man rush, but they welcome back Olivier Vernon from injury. He, Kareem Martin, and B.J. Hill must make Philly’s Carson Wentz move around in the pocket. Likewise, the Eagles will shut the Giants down if Derek Barnett, Fletcher Cox, and Brandon Graham can get sufficient pressure. Ronald Darby and Jalen Mills will have their hands full covering Odell Beckham Jr. and Sterling Shepard. The Titans found success against the Eagles after shutting down Zach Ertz, so New York’s Landon Collins, B.J. Goodson, or B.W. Webb need to do the same. Philly’s starting running back Jay Ajayi is out for the season with a torn ACL, so Corey Clement and Wendell Smallwood must step up.
Keys to the game
Philadelphia Eagles
Get in Eli’s face
Shut down Odell Beckham Jr.
Don’t abandon the run without Ajayi
New York Giants
Take away Zach Ertz
Pressure Wentz
Give Eli time
Avoid allowing mid-range passes
Injury list
Philadelphia Eagles
Jay Ajayi, RB - ACL (Out)
D.J. Alexander, LB - Quadricep (Out)
New York Giants
Evan Engram, TE - Knee (Out)
Rhett Ellison, TE - Foot (Questionable)
Russell Shepard, WR - Neck (Out)
Aldrick Rosas, K - Quadricep (Questionable)
Top 5 Fantasy Players
Saquon Barkley, RB (NYG)
Zach Ertz, TE (PHI)
Odell Beckham Jr., WR (NYG)
Carson Wentz, QB (PHI)
Alshon Jeffery, WR (PHI)
Prediction
The Eagles have won 7 out of the last 8 meetings between these two teams. However, they have been out of sync the whole season. Their defense and pass rush is nowhere near as productive as it was last year, and while Carson Wentz continues to play better each week, injuries to Jay Ajayi, Mike Wallace, and Darren Sproles has limited the offense’s explosiveness. The Giants seem to have made a breakthrough on offense against a very good Panthers defense and know that their season is on the line with this game. They will win a high intensity game that comes down to the wire.
Final Score: Giants 26, Eagles 24
Written by: Alexander Amir