Every week during the season, we’ll scout out the Eagles next opponent. This week, that opponent is the New York Giants.
The Opponent: The New York Giants, a.k.a. Little Eli is a Big Boy Now
Record: 6-3
The Line: Giants by 4.5. After being favored in virtually every game this season, isn't it nice to see the Eagles finally relegated to dog status?
Last Game: A 27-20 loss to the seemingly unbeatable 49ers on the road. Eli Manning got picked off twice against the Niners. As always, the Giants' success is predicated on not turning the ball over. I'm sure you Eagles fans know the feeling quite well.
The Coach: Tom Coughlin. Just when you think old Tom should be taken out behind the shed and put to sleep, he goes and puts together a division title run.
The Offense: RB Ahmad Bradshaw isn't expected to play on Sunday, leaving the rushing attack in the very capable hands of Brandon Jacobs. One the underrated aspects to Jacobs' game is his ability to catch passes out of the backfield. Once he gets a quick hit out in the flat with a head of steam, he turns into the freakin' juggernaut. He's the NFL player I would least want to tackle, because he's so big and surly. Hakeem Nicks is also back from a midseason injury, giving the Giants three extremely capable wideouts (Nicks, Victor Cruz, and Mario Manningham), along with an emerging tight end in Jake Ballard. Suddenly, this is a very scary offense. If John Skelton can hang 300 on the Eagles' D, I shudder to think what little Eli can do.
The Defense: As always, it's all about the front four getting to the quarterback and causing sacks and turnovers. The last time the Eagles and Giants met, Mike Vick had to leave the game and Mike Kafka took his place. The Giants picked off Kafka twice (in addition to picking off Vick once before he left), and that was that. It is VITAL that the Eagles run Shady McCoy many, many times on Sunday, especially if it's Vince Young starting at QB. If McCoy doesn't get the ball 25+ times, Andy Reid should be flame roasted on the spot.
Key Matchup: The Eagles vs. indifference. The season was lost last week at Arizona and so it'll be interesting to see if the Eagles decide to pack it in for the year.
