Eagles Wrap Up Disappointing 2015 On Road Versus Equally Disappointing Giants
By Kevin McGuire
The Philadelphia Eagles will close the books on a disappointing 2015 NFL season on the road against the rival New York Giants. A game that could have had a lot riding on the outcome is now just a footnote on the 2015 season for the Eagles and the last thing standing in the way of the offseason for both teams.
Season Record
The Eagles and Giants enter the final week with identical 6-9 records. The Giants have lost two straight games, including a blowout loss on the road against the Minnesota Vikings this past weekend. The Eagles handed the Giants a 27-7 loss earlier this season in Philadelphia. The Giants have already clinched a third straight losing season as head coach Tom Coughlin continues to be expected to move on as head coach one way or the other this offseason.
Giants on Offense
If there is anything the Giants tend to do well, it is throwing the football. With Eli Manning throwing for 4,134 yards and 33 touchdowns, the Giants have ranked sixth in the NFL in passing offense and in scoring, but that has not necessarily translated to wins. Manning has had an up-and-down season with 14 interceptions thrown, and is now one interception away from his 200th career interception. The Eagles have had a knack for getting the best of Manning at times and picked him off twice in their earlier meeting this season.
The Giants are expected to have wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. back after serving a one-game suspension for his actions against the Carolina Panthers. Beckham has 1,396 receiving yards this season, with 13 touchdowns, but has now shown he is capable of being mentally broken and intimidated by opposing players. Going against the Eagles secondary may be just the recipe for ending the season on a positive note for Beckham.
Giants on Defense
There was a time when any team would have reason to fear the Giants defense. That is clearly no longer the case. This season the Giants have given up 27.1 points per game, ranking New York 30th in the NFL. The Giants own the league's worst total defense, allowing 419.3 yards per game. On paper, it would seem like the type of offense the Eagles should work well against, but nothing can be taken for granted.
One thing the Giants do well is creating takeaways. The Giants have forced 25 takeaways with 15 interceptions and 10 fumble recoveries.
Giants' Players to Watch
Odell Beckham Jr., Wide Receiver: The star second-year receiver caught seven of the eight passes in his direction back in mid-October, for a gain of 61 yards and a touchdown. Back from suspension, he could be in for a big game.
Landon Collins, Safety: The rookie out of Alabama leads the Giants with 104 tackles this season, 80 of which have been solo tackles. Getting by Collins is tricky.
Outlook
The Eagles have a chance to basically take a dive and lock up a slightly higher draft pick for the 2016 NFL Draft with a loss, but the Giants seem to have checked out already as well. There may be nothing pretty about this game, but it will be telling to see just how the Eagles come out and play in the final game of the season a week after being embarrassed once more on national television and eliminated from the playoff picture for a second straight year. The Eagles have the offensive talent to make some big plays happen and that may lead them to a victory in the final game of the season.
Kevin McGuire is a Philadelphia area sports writer covering the Philadelphia Eagles and college football. McGuire is a member of the FWAA and National Football Foundation. Follow McGuire on Twitter @KevinOnCFB. His work can be found on Examiner.com.