Questions With The Enemy: Eagles VS Giants

At Inside The Iggles, we like to do a question exchange with FanSided’s website which writes about the Eagles’ next opponent. This time, it was the turn of Gmen HQ and Justin Groc to give us some information for the New York Giants. With the game just a few hours away, this is exactly what you need to get you pumped up for another heated encounter between New York’s and Philadelphia’s finest.

1) What’s the deal with all those Giants’ players suddenly deciding to talk smack in advance to the big game?

With the New York Giants having their first winning record, in what feels like forever for the Big Blue faithful, confidence is sky-high. During this still somewhat young season this game is a big one for the Giants as the Philadelphia Eagles have always been the ones to make it hard on the them to get that weekend’s W.

Antrel Rolle has taken not just the defense, but the entire team under his wing. He has been a huge factor in the Giants’ camaraderie so he will always back club regardless of how the team is currently playing. With a new offensive system, and one that is finally clicking, the Giants and their fans are riding a wave of confidence. The Eagles sit atop the division but the Giants feel that there is still a lot of good football to be played by themselves.

2) The Giants’ secondary is stacked, but injuries are an issue. Which defensive backs are expected to miss the game or be limited?

Besides Walter Thurmond III, who is on season-ending injured reserve, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie is listed as probable with an ankle/hamstring injury. He hurt his iliotibial band which runs down the outside of one’s thigh (Kieran Darcy, ESPN New York). The injury occurred to him during week two’s loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

The Giants had DRC go through practice at a “limited” pace but the cornerback reiterated that he will be a full-go come Sunday night despite playing 68% of snaps during last week’s win over the Atlanta Falcons. Whether that full-go is regarding the start and/or a bigger majority of snaps remains to be seen. On the severity of the injury DRC said, “… it should get better with treatment. Keep coming in in the morning — as long as I’m out there practicing, I’m good” (Darcy). While DRC did state that, it is something worth keeping an eye on throughout the game.

3) Odell Beckham Jr. made his NFL debut last week and it was a loud one. Do you think he gets more looks from Eli Manning on Sunday Night?

Odell Beckham Jr. finally relieved some of Tom Coughlin’s nerves by getting out on that field to play ball. Although Beckham displayed flashiness and even recorded his first NFL touchdown, let’s not forget that Larry Donnell was shutout last week. Donnell has been a terror for defenses so far during this season, and Eli Manning loves throwing to the 6’6” target in the redzone.

After mistakenly benching himself on his own fantasy team during his 8/54/3-touchdown performance against the Washington Redskins, I hope Donnell did the same to himself during last week’s game for his sake.

I believe Beckham will continue to garner looks. He brings an element that the Giants offense has lacked for some time: speed. With Cruz owning slot-duties, Donnell drawing looks in the redzone, and Rueben Randle bringing physicality along the outside – Beckham is the one who takes the top off an opposing defense.

4) Rashad Jennings won’t play against the Eagles. Will Andre Williams take the start and do you consider him a drop-off from Jennings?

Rashad Jennings has been tremendous for the Giants so far while earning the lion’s share of carries. But with him out for the next few weeks, rookie Andre Williams is the next man up to start. The biggest facet that I see a drop-off in is his experience. But Williams is a different type of running back from Jennings in that Williams is a bruiser and runs to make contact (LINK TO VINE:https://vine.co/v/OKeXmtY9UAU).

I believe fans are very excited to see Williams in action. He was fun to watch during the preseason and the Giants got a lot of value by taking him in the fourth round in the 2014 NFL Draft after he rushed for just over 2,100 yards with 17 touchdowns while at Boston College.

To follow back up with the previous question, with Williams’s inexperience the Giants may find it natural to lean on the passing-game a little bit more in high-leverage situations. Donnell likely will not get shutout again but Beckham could find himself still making plays with an even heavier passing attack. But it will be a drive-by-drive basis as far as how confident the team is with him running the ball.

5) What is your winner and score prediction for the game?

With the mini-roll that the Giants are on right now, the team and fans are very upbeat. The best part about it is that they have reason to be. Ben McAdoo’s system is finally clicking and Manning is one of the top quarterbacks in the league in regards to getting rid of the ball after the snap (ESPN). The latter is good in the sense that the Giants’ rebuilt offensive line is very inexperienced and they do not have to hold their blocks for too long. The wide receivers are going where they need to be and are creating separation.

However, the Eagles have had their way against the Giants of late. But, from personal observation, the Giants seem to play well in Philadelphia for whatever reason. It will come down to turnovers and special teams-play. Those two areas are what cost the Giants a victory against Arizona that may come back to haunt them for a wild-card playoff spot if it comes down to it.

It will be a fight but the Giants take this one 27-24.