This Sunday is the first game post- Carson Wentz injury. The 11-2 Eagles take on the 2-11 Giants in northern New Jersey. New York played Dallas tough last week in the Meadowlands, before crumbling in the 4th quarter. It's a division game, and despite the records, Eagles-Giants clashes are usually close games.
It should be a blow-out. Even without Wentz, the Birds are so much better than the Giants. New York made the playoffs last season, and there was talk of Super Bowl around the G-men. But injuries, along with bad play and terrible coaching dimmed New York to a dismal 2-11 record so far. They should get a top 3 draft pick next spring, and could very well take their quarterback of the future.
The Eagles' pass rush should have a field day against the porous giant offensive line. With that said, the Birds need to protect QB Nick Foles. Running the ball in New York is key, but I don't want to see Coach Pederson turtle-up and be afraid to push the ball downfield.
Keeping down the turnovers and getting off to a fast start are keys. Getting pressure on QB Eli Manning will be essential to an Eagle win.As usual in Eagles-Giants games, a fluky play, most of the times on special teams, generally is the difference in the game. A punt return, a block, a take-it-to-the-house interception- they don't call these games "miracles" for nothing.
Giants interim coach Steve Spagnola has given the Eagles fits before. The Birds just need to take care of business, limit penalties and not make stupid mistakes that give New York hope.
This is the third game of a three-game road trip for Philadelphia. That's usually a bad sign, especially since the Eagles are just coming back to the east coast.The good news is that it will be like a home game. A short drive up the turnpike and Eagles fans will swoop upon MetLife Stadium.
The Eagles have everything to play for: keeping home field advantage and clinching a bye. They need to show that life can go on without Wentz. He is a very important player, perhaps playing the more important position in all of sports. Bit I think Foles will play OK. Getting a terrible Giants team in cold December, when no one really cares,is a plus.
The Giants played tough in Philly in September. It was the game that started their slide, and raise the Birds another level, as players, coaches and fans felt a taste of destiny and magic when new kicker Jake Elliot nailed a 61-yard field goal to give the Eagles a win.The franchise-record kick may be the play of the year.
Sunday's game will be a good test as to how the Birds will react to life without Wentz. Foles is a pocket-passer, and is not as mobile as Wentz. I want Foles to be himself. If he plays anywhere like he did in 2013, when Foles threw for 27 TDs and only 2 interceptions . Sunday shouldn't be a problem and the fans will be thinking Super Bowl again.
With all of that said, I think Philly will win on Sunday and go to 12-2. But surprisingly it won't be as easy as expected. I'm 13-0 this season picking Eagles' games. I think it will take time for Foles and the team to get adjusted to each other. The Giants will fall to 2-12 and inch closer to the No. 1 pick in the spring draft.
Make it Eagles 24 Giants 20
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