Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants: Game Hype Going Next-Level
Oct 27, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs the ball against the New York Giants during the second half at Lincoln Financial Field. The Giants won the game 15-7. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
The Philadelphia Eagles will wear all-black uniforms vs. the New York Giants for the first time in the franchise’s history on NBC Sunday Night Football this week at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles are calling the game #BlackSunday in acknowledgement of their unique uniforms. This is the 165th meeting between New York and Philadelphia and the Eagles have made this hype video in an attempt to get fans pumped up. The video transcript as voiced by actor Bradley Cooper is as follows:
"“This is more than a mid-season match-up. This is a street fight. Wall Street against Broad Street. White collar against no collar. This is a tale of two cities. New York and Philly. I promise you there is no Brotherly Love lost between us and the Big Apple’s big talkers with their ‘You’s a bunch of cheesesteak eatin’, Liberty Bell crackin’, museum steps running…” Yeah, yeah, yeah. You want to know the best way to shut a loud mouth up? It’s to shut it for them.”"
It’s thought that the Eagles might have chosen to go with the all-black uniforms because they were inspired by a visit this past May from New Zealand All Blacks coach Graham Henry. According to NFL.com’s Albert Breer, “Lurie read his (Graham’s) book. Kelly wanted to bring him in. So football innovator and rugby icon (Henry has been knighted in his home country) spent a day talking shop. And Kelly, Lurie and everyone else finished that day better for the experience, even without much time spent on zone blocking or two-gapping or play clock management.”
Regardless of what motivated the team to wear black jerseys with black pants, as never before seen in their 81-year history, what is certain is that the Eagles will be out for revenge having lost to the Giants on October 27, 2013 with a final score of 15-7. In last season’s matchup, former Eagles quarterback Michael Vick started in place of QB Nick Foles who suffered a concussion the previous week against the Dallas Cowboys. The game was a field goal heavy defensive battle with the lone touchdown in the game scored by Philadelphia linebacker Najee Goode who recovered a fumble on a busted New York punt and ran two yards for the score.
The Eagles vs. Giants rivalry always seems to ignite a war of words amongst the players, and this year is no different as New York safety Antrel Rolle told ESPN this week,
"“I think if you have the right defensive scheme against the Eagles, you can definitely shut them down.”"
The fact that the game is on prime time and there are a number of former Eagles now on the Giants roster adds to the special feel of Sunday’s game. Philadelphia wide receiver Jeremy Maclin described the uniqueness of this matchup to reporter Dave Spadaro,
“I think everybody feels it. It’s a huge game, it’s on national television and both teams are playing well. It doesn’t get a whole lot better.” Maclin continued, “The Washington game was big and now this. These are our rivalry games. This is our division to defend.”
Pump-up videos, all-black uniforms, and rivalry history all add to the hype for Sunday night’s matchup that should be a good game in a highly competitive NFC East division.