Few things are more fun to watch than a late-season NFC East showdown between two talented and motivated teams. While the Eagles look to continue their hot streak and take advantage of the miracle Sunday that vaulted them into the playoffs, the Giants hope to defend last year's Super Bowl title.
1. Run the Ball
It's pretty simple: Run the ball. A lot.
Including yesterday's playoff win over the Minnesota Vikings, the Eagles are 9-1 in 2008 when they run the ball 20 or more times and just 1-5-1 when they run the ball fewer than 20 times.
Brian Westbrook didn't have a good game Sunday on the ground, rushing for just 38 yards on 20 carries as both he and the offensive line uncharacteristically struggled, but give Andy Reid credit for sticking to the run.
The Eagles ran the ball 23 times as a team. If backup running back Correll Buckhalter can get some more carries, it will help to take pressure off of Westbrook and mix up the rushing attack.
2. Convert Third Downs
This past week against the Vikings, the Eagles converted five of 14 third downs—just 35 percent, which in itself isn't great. But they had some huge plays—including two third-down completions to Jason Avant from inside their own five-yard line.
The key for the Eagles is the little plays such as the 3rd-and-1 plays. Without a power back or a solid tight end, the Eagles have been forced to pass way too often on 3rd-and-short this season, and the result hasn't always been successful. If the Eagles can get these third-down plays, they should be able to control the clock.
3. Put Some Pressure on Eli Manning
The old erratic Eli Manning of the past—remember the '06 game down the stretch when Trent Cole picked off Eli and took it to the house to ice a 36-22 win—seems to be gone and replaced by the Super Bowl-winning quarterback who calmly threw the game-winning touchdown with 35 seconds left to defeat the Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Eli has played surprisingly well against the Eagles in his career, with 10 touchdowns against just five picks, and a 4-3 record since 2006.
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1 day ago
Cody,
I good formula and story.
I would put stopping Jacobs first. The Eagles also have to cut down on penalties.
Don't count on 3-4 turnovers. The Eagles have to be patient. Before they won the Vikings game, they won the field position, thank in large to Sav Rocca and DeSean Jackson. Again, the Giants are too good to give up that many turnovers.
One team will get 2 turnovers and the other none or one. That will be key for the Eagles.
Go Green!!!!!
1 day ago
Cody,
good job. The Eagles will also need to control clock in this one. In week 10 the Giants held the ball for almost 40 minutes against the Eagles! When we went up the turnpike in week 14, it was the Eagles controlling the clock and dictating the pace of the game. Either way it should be a great game to watch on Sunday....E-A-G-L-E-S EAGLES!
1 day ago
Very good article Cody. You're points are all dead on with what the Eagles need to do to get the victory on the road this weekend. However, your prediction as to what will actually happen is way off. How can you expect the Eagles to force 3-4 turnovers. The Giants set an all-time record this season for fewest turnovers by a team with only 13!!
13 turnovers in 16 games. I do not think that will change this week. The G-Men were without Jacobs for much of the game when the Eagles won in week 14, and this week will be a different atmosphere. My prediction is, in a close one as always with these two very good clubs, 24-21 Giants.
from 1 day ago
Miami also tied the record with fewest turnovers in a 16 game season and they had 5 against Baltimore. The playoffs are way different than the regular season.
1 day ago
wishful thinking
1 day ago
It's hard to argue with any of your points.
The Eagles need to get their playmakers to get things done: that would be Westbrook, McNabb, and the defense.
If we can get to Eli Manning and at least sort of shut down the running game, we can very easily win.
I would even go as far as to say the Eagles are a more complete team. Great article!
1 day ago
Couldn't disagree with any of your points. I think running the ball is most important, that always seems to kill us. Great work here Cody.
1 day ago
I can't disagree with your point's. These are the things the Eagles need to do to put forth any game against the Giants. With a disappointing season the Giant's are back to where they like to be, underdog, or at least have the doubters jump ship. The Giant's are a team that steps up to pressure and with having the week off to get healthy and prep is going to make them even more geared up.
McNabb is still McNabb. He will be under more pressure than at any time in his career and he has proven that he eventually folds under that pressure.
With a rested Justin Tuck and a healthy Brandon Jacobs the Giants will be dominating on both sides of the football.
1 day ago
First of all, # is not going to happen. The Eagles can beat the Giants only by getting Westbrook into space via screens and pitches. Handoffs go nowhere and you know that. Westbrook is not a good scrimmage runner. Buckhalter is too slow. Expect the Giants to stop both of them cold this time around.
McNabb is the key to this game.
The Eagles caught a weary, banged-up Giants team flatfooted in week 13. That element no longer is in play since the Giants had a nice rest and have been preparing for Philadelphia for 2 weeks now. They knew the Vikings would not beat the Eagles.
The shoe is on the other foot in this game. The Giants are not feeling any pressure, whereas the Eagles are felling tons of pressure - even if Jeff Lurie has given votes of confidence to everyone and the momentum has swung their way. They
The Giants have their rings. The Eagles do not. If the Giants lose, so be it. They have 9 choices in next year's draft and most likely will come back even stronger. That cannot be said for the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Giants are currently 4 point favorites. There are 2 game films linesmakers have been focusing on: the Eagles' Week 16 loss in Washington and Week 12 drubbing they took at home vs the Ravens. I guess they are figuring the Eagles for a letdown
about 13 hours ago
nailed it.
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