Eagles-Cowboys didn't go the Birds' way.
Now it's time for Eagles-Giants.
The Eagles (4-3) head to MetLife Stadium for their first matchup of the season with the Giants (4-3). It's time for our (cough) expert predictions for the Week 9 showdown.
Reuben Frank (3-3)
I like the matchup between the Eagles’ defense and the Giants' offense that has some big-name receivers but very little overall firepower. The Giants have only 12 offensive touchdowns in seven games, and only the Texans, Vikings and Ravens have fewer. They’re the only NFL team without a running back with 150 rushing yards. They have Odell Beckham, but he has fewer touchdowns this year than Ryan Mathews. They have Eli Manning, but he has just eight TD passes — the fewest of his career after seven games. The teams the Eagles’ defense has struggled with have been able to really establish an authoritative running game and keep the Eagles off-balance. The Giants have no running game, and I think that gives the Eagles’ defense the opportunity to play the Giants honest up front and really cheat against Manning, devoting tons of resources to ODB and the receivers. The Eagles’ offense has certainly been bogged down, held under 300 yards for three straight weeks for the first time since 2003. But I think the offense wakes up Sunday, the defense shuts Manning down and the Eagles roll to their first road win since Week 2.
Eagles 30, Giants 17
Dave Zangaro (2-5)
This game reminds me a lot of the one against the Vikings. Against a team with a statue quarterback and no run game.
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The key to this one for the Eagles is going to be getting to Manning before he gets the ball out of his hand; Manning gets the ball out very quickly, so it's easier said than done.
So far this season, the Eagles have been bad on the road and have lost their first two road games in the division. That makes this one so important. They just need this game too much to lose.
Eagles 27, Giants 20
Derrick Gunn (3-4)
For the third straight week, the Eagles will play an opponent coming off a bye week.
The Giants' offense was suppose to be the team's strength, but it has struggled thus far this season, averaging just 19 points per game. The Giants' defense has improved from last season, though. Janoris Jenkins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie are good cover corners.
Carson Wentz and the Eagles' offense — minus Josh Huff — must sustain drives and put touchdowns on the board instead of field goals.
The Eagles' defense should have a good measure of success attacking a stationary Manning, but if they don't get to him, Manning will get the ball to his trio of speedy wideouts.
The Birds need to bounce back from that stinging loss to Dallas, and I think they will.
Eagles 24, Giants 17
Ray Didinger (3-4)
For the Eagles, this looks a lot like the game against Minnesota. They are playing a team with no running game, a porous offensive line and an immobile quarterback. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz destroyed Sam Bradford and the Vikings and he should have similar success against the Giants. Manning is under pressure and throwing balls off his back foot, which usually results in interceptions.
The Eagles have lost three in a row on the road, but they always seem to play well in this spot. They are 5-1 against the Giants in MetLife Stadium. The Giants have a lot of new faces on defense but they still can't generate a pass rush (nine sacks, second fewest in the NFL), which means life will be much easier for Wentz. A loss would drop the Eagles to 0-3 in the division, which would make it very hard to mount a playoff run, but I think the Eagles' defense will be the difference in this one.
Eagles 23, Giants 13
Andrew Kulp (3-4)
I have concerns as to how this team is going to respond to the release of Huff, both mentally and from a production standpoint. His presence at wide receiver might not be missed, but he was a valuable contributor in multiple aspects of special teams. Plus, you get the sense a lot of players inside the Eagles' locker room weren't thrilled about the outcome.
Meanwhile, Doug Pederson's idea of an offensive game plan has amounted to a strange fixation on a quick, short passing attack to mixed results. The Giants' secondary isn't an easy one to throw on either, so asking Carson Wentz to drop back 40 times probably isn't a sound strategy anyway. If the Eagles lean on the run, the pass-rush should have its usual success against Manning, but I just don't see that or the offense executing at its highest level.
Giants 17, Eagles 10
Corey Seidman (3-4)
This is the third straight team coming off a bye to face the Eagles. The Giants are more rested, but I just don't think Manning is going to be able to overcome his mediocre running game and the Eagles' impressive front seven.
This also has the makings of a rebound game for Wentz, who has played better than the stats indicate.
Eagles 24, Giants 13
Andy Schwartz (3-4)
Let’s remember one thing.
Despite their issues at wide receiver, despite the conservative play-calling and despite the lack of big plays, the Eagles very likely are two fumbles away from being 6-1.
Problem is, when your offense is so limited, there’s little margin for error. When you can pile up points, you can overcome mistakes.
Then again, even the best teams often will be felled by fourth-quarter fumbles.
The Eagles have been masters of the Meadowlands of late, and that should continue. The defense will stuff the run, get to Manning and limit ODB. The offense will scrape together enough points to give the Birds the lead in the final quarter.
And this time they won’t give it up.
Eagles 23, Giants 16
