Nick Piccone
Another divisional battle for the Birds on Sunday as they head up to the Meadowlands to take on the New York Giants for the first time this season. Can they escape with a much-needed win? Here are our thoughts and predictions:
Ray Hagan: This is an Eagles game for me all the way. I don’t buy into the Giants. I don’t trust Manning right now, I don’t believe in their running game. While the defense has been somewhat stout I think it’s the second best defense on the field on Sunday. If the Giants can make some big plays then there’s a chance they can pull this one out, but that’s something they haven’t done much of. The Eagles would love some big plays, but they don’t need them, they showed against Dallas they can move the ball in small chunks.
Eagles 27-17.
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Tony Cutillo: After the fallout of the Josh Huff situation, it will be interesting to see how the players respond. They are coming off a week where their coach got owned by Jason Garret, and then this week showed his footballs belong to Howie Roseman. Hey Doug, you can nurture these guys all you want, but if the clubhouse feels you are no more than a puppet with a visor, they will bail.
That being said, the Giants game offers a tremendous challenge for the Birds. If the Eagles win, they keep hope alive for a playoff push. If they lose, their dreams are pretty much dead. The Birds all already 0-2 in the division, and in such a tight race, a loss would be extremely costly. I feel this game will be won on the outside. The Giants are vulnerable to slot receivers on the underneath route and considering Jordan Matthews received 14 targets last week, it looks like the Birds know where to attack. On the other side you have OBJ, who is having a down year and trouble controlling his alter ego.
I feel both these guys will get their due and the game will come down to who has the ball in their hands last. Caleb Sturgis is starting to revisit the automatic days of David Akers and could be in line for a game-winning kick on Sunday.
Eagles 27-24.
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Tyler Trumbauer: The Eagles did not play well last week against Dallas, however, they had a very good chance of coming away with a victory. Sunday night was the second instance where the Eagles cost themselves a win. This team, and this coaching staff, does not know how to win close games yet. They don’t know how to truly win a game. I don’t think they win one this Sunday.
The Giants are a predictable team which has had multiple ups and downs so far these season. Now that Odell Beckham Jr. seems to have gotten his head in the right place, this team again has a few good weapons for Eli Manning. Manning may be the biggest wildcard as you never know what Eli you will get. I think the Giants will come prepared and wanting to win a NFC East game, and keep themselves in the mix in the division which is surprisingly competitive and good. I don’t see Carson Wentz out-dueling the Giants with the lack of talent around him. Getting Bennie Logan back on defense will help, but not enough as the Giants win a close one.
Giants 24-17.
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PHL Anon: The Eagles’ offense has not looked as dynamic the past few weeks, and it seems as though we lack a true offensive identity. Who is our lead running back? Are we relying on wide receiver play or our tight ends? Doug Pederson and Frank Reich need to find a way to limit the exposure of our line weakness, but also protect Carson Wentz. The Giants may present an opportunity for Wentz and the offense to stretch the field vertically this week. That’s great timing considering Bryce Treggs will be active and is the only true deep threat on the roster. While he may not be the solution, the threat of being able to go vertical keeps safeties honest, and should open up the middle of the field more when he is active. If the defense can play a tough game and bring pressure from the front four, I see the Eagles coming out on top in the first matchup.
Eagles 27-23.
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Candis McLean: In a game with a trash offense [Philly] and a trash defense [New York], I guess I’ll go with the better defense to win this one.
Eagles 20-13.
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Dave Uram: The Eagles are better than the Giants, so this should be a no doubter. But, going by stats and numbers hasn’t worked for the Birds on the road where they’re 1-3, with those losses being winnable games they failed to finish down the stretch. Until this team proves they know how to one tight matches on the road, I’ll pick against them every time.
Giants 27-24.
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Adrian Fedkiw: If the Eagles can disrupt the Giants’ rushing attack like they did against Minnesota two weeks ago, it’ll give them the luxury to pin their ears back and get to Eli Manning. Despite allowing just 11 sacks, I believe New York’s offensive line can be had. But how are the Eagles going to move the ball on offense? I’m looking at Darren Sproles to have another big game.
I like the Eagles to bounce back following a heartbreaking loss in Dallas.
Eagles 27-24.
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Nick Piccone: Dominance always has to come to an end. But that won’t happen on Sunday. The Giants aren’t as good as they seem and I think the Eagles will punch them in the mouth and then kick them in the gut and give them a Stone Cold Stunner. The Giants have been consistently inconsistent and the Eagles didn’t play too well down in Dallas on Sunday night and almost came away with a victory.
Eagles get a big win here. It’s almost ridiculous to pick against them [Hi, Tyler]. They’re 13-4 against the Giants since 2008. So… yeah.
Eagles 31-20.
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Sean Brace: Looking to bounce back from that terrible fourth quarter collapse against the Cowboys, you’d think the Eagles would focus all of their attention on the Giants. Only, that’s not exactly the case. Eagles players have been bothered with questions about the arrest and subsequent release of Josh Huff all week. Mark it down as a distraction they don’t need. Ultimately, that won’t be the difference in the game. That’ll be OBJ. Big day for Beckham and I’m thinking a tough Giants win.
Giants 34-24.