3 Keys to a Philadelphia Eagles win versus New York in Week 7
By Hunter Doyle
3. This Philadelphia Eagles defense needs to force a turnover.
In 2020, this Eagles defense is tied for the sixth-fewest turnovers in the league with just five so far. They caught a break on one of them as Nick Mullens threw an interception right into Alex Singleton‘s waiting arms. To win this game, there needs to be a turning point where the Eagles steal a possession. Last year, it was Daniel Jones fumble forced by Malcolm Jenkins that led to a recovery at the one-yard line in Week 17.
Malcolm also had an interception versus the Giants in the previous year. In 2018, he had an interception in the red zone, and in 2016 he had a pick-six on Thursday Night Football which both helped the Eagles to wins. This year, Malcolm is in New Orleans and it feels like there has been a massive lack of leadership on this defense.
On Thursday, someone needs to step up and generate a turnover whether it’s Rodney McLeod reading Daniel Jones’ eyes for an interception, Darius ‘Big Play’ Slay jumping a route, or Fletcher Cox forcing a fumble.
The Giants are without Saquon Barkley, and they’re down to just four active wide receivers. Jim Schwartz needs to make Daniel Jones uncomfortable and disguise his looks. Malcolm was also a genius pre-snap making adjustments and playing chess with opposing quarterbacks. That has been sorely missed this year. Instead, it is just Nathan Gerry waving his arm around in the middle pre-snap which doesn’t seem to do much. This is not a game where the Eagles can afford to have the quarterback diagnose everything that’s happening pre-snap.
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The Giants defense is also dead last in time of possession per drive. Opposing offenses are on the field for an average of three minutes and 28 seconds. If the ‘Birds’ defense can force a turnover and get their offense back on the field, the Giants defense could feel some fatigue being on the field for an extended period of time. This Giants defense cannot be taken lightly so if the Eagles are able to wear them down and keep them on the field longer than they would like to be, they’ll have a strong chance of winning this one.