New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles: What to Watch for

Today the New York Giants head to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles. Both teams are 1-1 trailing only the Washington Redskins in the standings. That sentence still seems wrong. The Redskins are 2-0, right? Anyway, the Eagles have beaten the Giants in just about any way imaginable over the last three years. Pick sixes from Eli, coming back in the DeSean Jackson punt return game, beating the Giants in 2008 when they were nearly unstoppable. The Giants have been Jekyll and Hyde vs the Eagles. The Giants are the last talented at this moment going to face the Eagles they have been since 2006. The Eagles on the other hand are probably the most talented since that team. Here is what to watch for on Sunday.

Linval Joseph and Chris Canty vs the Eagles interior defense.

Last year, the Giants showed the league the book on Michael Vick that has been. Blitz him outside from the cornerback safety position make Vick roll right to throw the ball. The Eagles offense has still dont well since then, but Vick has not been nearly as good. Vick has thrown an interception in 7 of his last 8 games (and every game last after the first game he played the Giants). Expect the Giants to do that again today. However, what could be even more important is the Giants being able to pressure Vick up the middle so he can’t step up in the pocket and escape up the middle. The Eagles interior of their offensive line might be the weak point on their whole team, Linval Joseph needs a huge game.

The Eagles reshuffled LB corps vs the Giants reshuffled offensive line

The Eagles have moved around their linebackers. They moved Casey Matthews to the weakside, Jamar Chaney to the middle, and Moise Fokou to the strong side. The Giants have Will Beatty at LT, Diehl at Lg, Bass at center, and then the right side the same. So far the offensive line has had all sorts of trouble. They aren’t opening up room in the running game and are a sieve in the passing game. If the Giants can’t run the ball on the front 8 of the Eagles, they might as well back up and go home early.

Hakeem Nicks vs the Entire Eagles secondary

That’s half a joke. The Giants have nothing at WR with Mario Manningham being ruled out and Domenik Hixon out for the season. Victor Cruz? It’s not preseason is it? Michael Clayton? Oh boy. Nicks will see a lot of double coverage can he beat it?

Nicks expect to see Asmougha in man coverage and Samuel in zone coverage. It’ll be interesting to see if the Eagles do go that route.

Travis Beckum vs the middle of the field

Travis Beckum hasn’t been able to stay healthy enough to show whether or not he can be a productive pass catcher in the N.F.L. Beckum has good pass catching ability and the Eagles aren’t great vs good tight ends. There in lies the problem though. Is Beckum a good T.E? He’ll play today. He needs to step up and make big plays.

Andy Reid and his player loyalty (Steve Smith) vs the Giants secondary

Andy Reid is loved by players and is considered a big players coach, sometimes to a fault. Will he purposely try to build a game plan that highlights Steve Smith’s return to the Giants? Will it even matter. The Giants secondary is in shambles right now until Prince Amukamra comes back from injury. Or someone other than Corey Webster steps up. Aaron Ross has been good on some plays, but has lacked focus and given up too many big plays. Behind Ross it just gets ugly.

Can the Giants find a return game?

Devin Thomas looked good returning punts in the preseason, but not great so far in the regular season. Domenik Hixon was the Giants best punt returner. He is out. It seems likely that CB Aaron Ross will return punts. It’s him or Jerel Jernigan. Jernigan botched multiple punts in the preseason. The Giants could use some big plays on Special teams today.

prediction:

I have an affinity for the Giants. They are my team. The fact that I dedicate every Wednesday and Thursday to make this the “unofficial Giants draft blog” on those days should be a testament o that. But I’m not blind. If the Giants trot out the same effort they did the first two weeks of the season vs the Eagles. They will get embarrassed. The Giants haven’t been able to stop Sam Bradford or Rex Grossman through the air. And neither QB is as good as Vick and neither team even has one WR that is that scary. their run offense has been bad as well. Bradshaw has had no room to go anywhere. Jacobs either. The passing game on offense has also been average. That won’t improve with Manningham on the sidelines (well technically he didn’t even make the trip). This could be a rout. I’ll be rooting the other way and I’ll really be watching the progression of the Giants young defenders: Greg jones and Jacquian Williams.

I also think the battle between Will Beatty and Trent Cole is key to the future of the franchise so i will concentrate on that one as well. If Beatty can play well and handle Cole who has been a machine. The Giants might have their LT of the future for sure. And that will be a big relief. If he can’t, that’s one more problem the Giants have.

Eagles will probably win this game, they have already won it on paper at least.

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