Philadelphia Eagles versus New York Giants: 5 Story lines to watch
The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants’ second matchup of 2018’s regular season is loaded with story lines.
As is customary for a big game, the prognosticator in all of us wants to break down all of the key matchups. Here are a few key matchups we’ll be paying attention to when the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants meet for the second time this season.
Let’s not procrastinate or waste anyone’s time.
1. The Giants’ offensive line versus the Eagles pass rush (and vice versa)
This should probably go without saying, but any Giants and Eagles game has the potential of being a dogfight or a blowout. With so many injuries to the Eagles secondary (and their starting middle linebacker), it’s hard to imagine a repeat of what we saw when these two met earlier this season.
It sounds trendy and very cliche, but in this case it may apply. Philly’s pass rush needs to help their cover guys out by getting to Eli Manning. On the other side, Philly’s offensive line needs to do something they’ve struggled with a lot this season. They’ve got to keep Carson Wentz upright.
2. Philly’s ground attack versus the Giants’ front seven.
It seems like we’ve been talking about this for a while (and we have). Philly has to establish a running game. They were robbed of that a week ago as they had to abandon the run altogeher when they fell behind early. This one figures to be a closer contest, and that might allow Philly to dominate time of possession.
If the Giants can neutralize the Eagles’ ground attack, all of this is deemed null and void. That may result in a problem.
3. OBJ versus that young Eagles’ secondary.
Odell Beckham Jr. has caused the Eagles a few problems on more than one occasion. That’s a trend that may repeat itself if the stories are true and the Eagles are without their top five cover guys.
Let’s just hope the Eagles don’t throw wide receivers out there to play coverage like they did in practice this week.
4. Saquon versus everybody…
Saquon Barkley smashed the Eagles for over 200 all-purpose yards in his first meeting with ‘The Birds’. Neither of these teams are the same team they were when these two met a little over a month ago.
That’s not a compliment to this Eagles team.
This game feels like one Philly can lose, and if Barkley goes for over 200 all-purpose yards again, that just might happen.
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5. Those Eagles receivers versus that Giants secondary….
Can Alshon Jeffery break out of his slump? Can Golden Tate show some signs and prove he was worthy of Philly’s investment in him? Both should have some opportunities. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.
Bonus: Pat Shurmur versus Doug Pederson…
Both of these team’s head coaches have been criticized at various points of this season, and in a lot of instances, they’ve deserved it. Pat Shurmur seems to have steadied his ship a little. Doug Pederson now needs to steady his.
If the former outcoaches the latter, can you imagine what the conversations will sound like in Philly? Ladies and gentlemen, Week 12 is finally upon us.