Fresh Off 1st Win, Giants Look For Revenge Against Rival Eagles
By Kevin McGuire
The Philadelphia Eagles will look to get back in the win column after losing at home to the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys. The Eagles scored just three points against Dallas. This week the Eagles host a team they had some offensive success against just a few weeks ago, the New York Giants.
What have we learned about the Giants in recent weeks since the last game?
Season Record
The Giants just got their first win of the season on Monday night against the Minnesota Vikings, another struggling team. Just a few weeks back, the Eagles were the team to hand them their fifth loss of the season, dropping them to 0-5. The Giants then had a short week to prepare for a Thursday night game on the road in Chicago, where the Bears held on for a 27-21 victory to drop the Giants to 0-6. After getting rid of the goose egg in the win column on Monday, the Giants must be hungry for more.
The Giants hold the all-time series lead on the Eagles, 82-75-2.
Giants on Offense
The Giants running game has been non-existent this season, averaging just 67.8 yards per game this season coming into Monday night's matchup. The passing game ranks in the top 10 in the NFL but Eli Manning leads the NFL in interceptions thrown with 15 interceptions to just nine touchdowns. The top 10 passing yardage can be attributed largely to the lack of ability to run and the need to play from behind regularly.
Giants on Defense
The Giants have historically been a pretty solid defensive team but that is certainly not the case this season. Ranked 24th overall in the NFL, the Giants have allowed at least 27 points in the first six games they have played this season, and four of those six losses have seen the opponent score at least 36 points. The Giants are ranked 24th against the run and 20th against the pass, so opposing teams have a number of ways they can attack the Giants.
Giants Players to Watch
Eli Manning, Quarterback: The younger Manning brother had a rough day against the Eagles a few weeks ago. Manning completed 24 of 52 pass attempts for 334 yards and two touchdowns. Manning was also picked off three times by the Eagles defense. This has been a rough year for everyone on the Giants, but perhaps no player has experienced a more brutal year than Manning. Manning has nine touchdown passes but leads the NFL with 15 interceptions thrown going in to the Monday night game.
Justin Tuck, Defensive End: One of the top players on the defensive line for the Giants has failed to have much of an impact this season. Since opening the season with eight tackles in each of his first two games, Tuck has combined for eight tackles over the last four games. Tuck was bothered by a back and hamstring injury in the preseason but there has not been much reported on whether or not those concerns are still an issue.
Outlook
The Giants will be coming off a short week after hosting the Vikings Monday night, which will give the Eagles a head start on preparing for the game while looking to bounce back from a dismal performance against the Cowboys on Sunday.
For more Eagles news and updates, visit Eagles Central.
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.
