Eagles news: Philadelphia can clinch playoff spot by beating Giants

It isn’t quite the home stretch, but it’s close. The year has flown by. It’s already December. Christmas will be here before you know it. Then, it’s time to begin preparing for another year and how we plan to bring in 2023. Philadelphia Eagles fans won’t fly too far from the nest on either holiday.

On New Year’s Day, the Birds host the New Orleans Saints in Week 17. One week prior, there’s that game we keep discussing, one versus the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Eve. There’s no need to look too far ahead. There are concerns that are more immediate, including Philadelphia’s upcoming battle with the New York Giants.

A win officially clinches a postseason berth for the NFL’s best team. The Minnesota Vikings and Kansas City Chiefs can also earn themselves a spot by winning. Believe it or not, the Vikes are 1.5-point road underdogs versus the Detroit Lions, but hey that’s none of our business. That’s what you’d classify as another story for another day.

More Eagles news: Jalen Hurts returns to MetLife Stadium.

It’s been a while since we’ve seen the Eagles and Giants share the field. They’re meeting later and later in the season these days. They met twice after Week 12 a season ago, and this time around, both meetings occur between Week 14 and Week 18.

Jalen Hurts makes his second career start versus the G-Men. He won his most recent. His first didn’t go according to plan. He and the Eagles return to the scene of last year’s 13-7 debacle. This time around, we expect better results and a few more points.

As stated, the Birds won their most recent showdown versus New York, but this still feels like a revenge game. Then again, rivalry games seem to have that effect on us sometimes.

NFL News: If the Giants are to beat Philly, they may have to do so minus Saquon Barkley.

With the expected return of Avonte Maddox for Week 14’s game, the Eagles aren’t quite at full strength, but they’re getting close. On the other hand, if the G-Men are going to beat the Birds, they may have to try and do so without their best player.

Saquon Barkley is working his way back from a neck injury. At the time of this story’s release, he was listed as questionable for the game. New York has a huge hole to fill if he can’t go because right now he and Daniel Jones’ ability to scramble has been the lone consistent threats in a very anemic Giants offense.

Keep an eye on him. Philly’s chances of winning improve if he can’t go or if he isn’t at full strength.