Jalen Hurts and co travel to New Jersey as they look to get to 6-6 and into a wildcard playoff spot. After a 2-5 start to the season, the Eagles discovered that the run game does in fact work, and have looked like a completely different offense since. Even the defense has stepped it up in three of their last four games as this transitional year looks like it could become a playoff season or even better if the Eagles could somehow catch the Cowboys. It all starts against the Giants on Sunday, who will be looking for revenge for more reasons than one.
The season so far
After their heavy defeat on Monday Night Football, the Giants now sit on a 3-7 record. Daniel Jones produced another mediocre performance, and Andrew Thomas, the offensive tackle, has more receiving touchdowns than Kenny Golladay and Kadarius Toney. That perfectly summarises how things are going for Joe Judge in New York. Almost as well as an offside on a missed field goal giving the Washington Football Team another opportunity to win the game. That also happened to special teams, guru Judge. The Giants fired Jason Garrett during the week because of their abysmal offensive records, and it appears that Judge, Jones and General Manager Dave Gettleman are all very much on the hot seat. It seems like Jones has regressed since his rookie year, and the on-field product has failed to even slightly improve. New York will be playing for pride in the final ten games, and they will have their eyes set on getting some revenge on the Eagles for stealing Devonta Smith in the draft from them.
The Biggest Threat- Defensive line
The Giants defensive line is probably one of the strongest areas of a team that has not really shown to have had a big threat this season. They have been terrible in the passing game despite having a decent wide receiver and tight end group. Saquon Barkley remains to be inconsistent and struggles with injury. Their secondary has had bright performances, but two of their biggest contributors in Logan Ryan and Jabrill Peppers, are on IR. The Giants will be going out there with a lot to prove tomorrow, and it will have to start with that defensive line. The Eagles will try and set the tempo with the run game, and the Giants defense will have to cause the Philly offensive line problems if they are going to have success.
What to target- Daniel Jones and the Giants offensive line
Jones has had a very underwhelming year. He has thrown nine touchdowns to seven interceptions, and his performance in the 30-10 loss to the Buccaneers was one that lacked any promise. That awful interception to Steve McLendon in the second half was just woeful, and Jones struggled to move the ball down the field. The Giants touchdown was due to a defensive turnover deep in the Bucs half. Jones was under duress all night, and he notoriously struggles under pressure. It was that pressure that caused the terrible interception to McLendon. The Giants offensive line has also been terrible at times this season. The Bucs defensive line had a field day against them, and that was without Vita Vea. Imagine what Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave and Josh Sweat could do? Jonathan Gannon needs to be aggressive with his play-calling and has to put that offensive line and Jones under duress early. If the Eagles can make things uncomfortable while establishing the run, they will have the perfect recipe for victory.