- Coming off a stunning victory over the Dallas Cowboys last week, the Eagles face another division rival on Sunday in the final game of the regular season. The New York Giants may only be 4-11, but they do have dangerous weapons, plus it's an NFC East game.The Giants took the Birds to overtime early in December at the Linc. Usually Giants-Eagles games are close and go down to the wire.
The win over Dallas was so huge, I worry about the Eagles having an early letdown against the G-men. I expect it to be close all the way.Philly must win to get into the playoffs and secure a home playoff next weekend against either San Francisco or Seattle.
QB Carson Wentz has been playing great in December and must keep it up in the Meadowlands. New York quarterback Daniel Jones threw five touchdown passes in last week's OT win in Washington. Although the secondary played well vs the cowboys, the pass game has been a weak link in the Eagles' defense all season.
Of course, the main worry is Giants stud running back, Saquan Barkley. The Birds' defense plays well against the run, and I don't expect them to play any differently with so much at stake.Jones can throw interceptions so the Philadelphia corners need to tackle well. The Giant receivers aren't really burners so the secondary must make sure no one sneaks behind them all during the game on Sunday.
New York will try to control the ball and the clock using Barkley, hoping he breaks a big run sometime during the game. The Eagles' offense should also try and control the ball as well. Looks like running back Thomas Jordan will play, finally teaming with Boston Scott and Miles Sanders. I would hate for Howard to get most of the snaps while Scott and particularily the red-hot Sanders sit.
At least this week, when the Eagles do try and throw, Wentz should have more confidence in "practice squad crew." Greg Ward, J.J. Orceda-Whiteside, and tight end Dallas Goedert had terrific games while thrusting the Cowboys. Each week their confidence grows with the more experience and plays with the first team they get.
As always, turnovers and penalties will play key importance on Sunday. The game was flexed from 1:00 to 4:25, so the weather may play an effect as the game progresses. Rain is supposed to move into the east later on Sunday.
Things to consider: there may be more Eagles fans in the stadium than Giant fans. Even though it is a road game, I'm positive loads of Eagles fans will make the trek up the Jersey Turnpike for the game.
If the Eagles do win and clinch the division, it will continue the interesting streak of no NFC team repeating as division champs since 2003=04 when the Eagles captured the division crown two years in a row.
Wentz took a huge step out of the shadow of Nick Foles last Sunday. Wentz knows what is on the line this Sunday so I expect him to continue to play well. Getting into the playoffs is one thing; getting Wentz playoff experience is an other factor/
With all that in mind, I make it:
Eagles 23 Giants 17
A loss to the rival Giants ( who would love nothing better than to spoil Philadelphia's playoff hopes) would be a crushing blow after an incredible win last Sunday over dreaded Dallas. The Eagles can't be too overconfident. They must travel to upstate Jersey and take care of the Giants in a very business-like way.
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The 76ers scored a huge win on Christmas afternoon in front of nationwide audience by destroying the best team so far in the NBA, the Milwaukee Bucks. The Sixers were up by as many as 29 points late in the second half against a club that had only lost 4 previous games. Philly went to 16-2 on their home court, the best record in the NBA. They are proving they can beat any one on any night.
Looks like Coach Brett Brown will finish the season, despite the fact that his basketball team has been wildly inconsistent all season long.
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