Eagles v Giants

Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants

New York Giants at a Glance:

The defending Super Bowl champions at times this season have looked unbeatable. Much like during their playoff run last season, the Giants played with a swag, and feeling that no matter what anybody said, they were better then there opponent. They started there season 4-0 behind the play of Eli Manning, and the running attack led by Brandon Jacobs. They rolled to 11-1, and looked like a lock to come out of the NFC. Then, there season took a dramatic turn. Star wide out Plaxico Burress, shot himself in a night club, and was suspended for the season. He now faces 3 years in jail. Since that time, the Giants have not been the same, and have stubbled into these playoffs going 1-3 in their last 4. 

Last Time The Teams Met:

The Eagles and Giants last met in week 14, the first game after the Plaxico Burress fiasco. The Eagles rolled into the Meadow lands and beat the Giants at there own game, 20-14. Brian Westbrook had 131 yards rushing on 33 attempts, and 6 catches for 72 yards. The defense absolutely shut down the Giants offense, holding Brandon Jacobs to 52 yards, and Eli Manning threw for only 132 yards. If you take away the fluke blocked field goal returned for a touchdown, the Eagles won that game 20-7.

A Tale of Two Teams:

When Burress went out for the season, all of the talk was how the Giants would be fine, and it was better to get the "cancer" Burress out of the locker room. Well, as they should not be surprised to find out, anytime you lose a 6-5 star wide reciever, your team suffers. Since Burress was suspended, and they knew they wouldn't have him for the year, the Giants have gone 1-3. Before? 11-1. Lets look at the offense with, and without, Burress:

Manning Passing Yards

With: 218

Without: 153

Giants Points:

With: 29

Without: 18

As you can see, this offense is no where near what they were before they lost Burress. Last season, the Giants were a weak team to start, strong team to finish. This season? The exact opposite.

Now, onto this weeks game:

Eagles Offense vs the Giants Defense:

This is not the Giants defense from last season. However, they are still strong. This years unit is giving up only 18.4 points per game, good for 5th in the NFL. They are strong agaisnt the run and the pass, finishing in the top 9 in both of those categories. The Eagles offense this season tho, has been able to move the ball. In the first meeting, the Eagles scored 31 points, and McNabb had a solid game throwing 3 TD's and throwing for 194 yards. In the second game, the Eagles took to the ground, as Westbrook carried the ball 33 times for 131 yards. So the Eagles can have success agaisnt this unit. The Eagles did well protecting McNabb agiasnt the Giants, not giving up 1 sack in the two games.

Where I think the Eagles can really attack these team is in the middle of the field. They had success agaisnt the Vikings over the middle, hitting Jacon Avant for big third down conversions. If they can get Avant, Brent Celek, or Brian Westbrook matched up with one of their linebackers, they could move the ball right down the field. This would also negate the pass rush of the Giants, as they would have to keep the linebackers off the line of scrimmage. It would also help the run. 

ADVANTAGE: EAGLES

Giants Offense vs Eagles Defense:

As I said before, this Giants team is not the same without Burress. But, they can still run the ball, and run it well. Jacobs is a huge, physical, pounding running back, and if the Eagles let him have a good game, it could all be over. When he is running well, the Giants control the clock, and control the game. Especially in a cold game, like it will be tommorw, you don't want the other team controling the line of scrimmage. In the game the Giants beat the Eagles, Jacobs had 22 carries for 126 yards. In the game they lost, Jacobs had 10 carries for 52 yards. The Giants recievers are nothing to be afraid of, but with a solid running game, they can do damage.

The Eagles defense is playing its best ball of the season, and is shutting teams down. It shut down Adrian Peterson last week, and is 4th in the league agaisnt the rush. The unit is playing with a swagger right now. They are stopping the run, stopping the pass, getting turnovers, and rushing the passer. That is the type of defense you want right now.

ADVANTAGE: EAGLES

Analysis: 

While the Giants crusied thru most of the regular season, the Eagles had alot of adversity. There quarterback was benched, there running back hurt, there season dead. However, they fought thru all of it, and here they are. They are a better team for it. The Eagles right now, are the better team. They showed that when they beat the Giants in week 14, in a meaningful game. The Giants, on the other hand, are free falling. If it wasn't for an over time win agaisnt Carolina, they would be 0-4 going into the playoffs. Tommorw, they will benefit from being at home. When the game starts, they will say they are the defending champs, and that all of the regular season drama is behind them. If they get out to an early lead, they could build on that and play with confidence. But if they get behind, watch out. I think this is a fragile team right now. If they Eagles can go in their and dominate early, the Giants won't come back. There not strong enough. The Eagles however, are. I think the Eagles can withstand anything the Giants bring to start the game, and I think they will play well. I expect the defense to dominate, and the McNabb to have a great game. Not from a statistical stand point, but I think he dosn't turn the ball over, and makes big plays when he has to. It won't be an easy game, and beating the defending champions never is. But this is not the same Giants team from last season, or even earlier in the season. They are a 1-3 team on the decline. The Eagles are a 3-1 team on the uprise, with all the confidence in the world.

Pick: Eagles