Giants vs. Eagles Breakdown 2009

(Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Kevin Curtis has more experience and better hands than Domenik Hixon. The rookies are largely unknown, but think of the fact that Jason Avant basically equalled Steve Smith's production last year, and he would be the Eagles third or fourth receiver. 

Maclin should have an immediate impact, but so should Hakeem Nicks.

However, I think the Eagles' proven commodities (two receivers who have gone over 900 yards in their career) give them the edge.

TE: Even

Kevin Boss is a great blocker, but not a great receiver. Brent Celek exploded when he started at tight end last year and is a solid, reliable target for McNabb. Cornelius Ingram will be used to create some mismatches, especially in the red zone. 

I call this even because both teams have tight ends that fit their needs. The Giants have an elite run-blocking tight end, and the Eagles have two tight ends that can create mismatches in the passing game.

Travis Beckum will also be used as a pass-catcher and should create some mismatches for the Giants.

D-Line

Right Defensive End: Advantage Giants

Trent Cole is a magnificent and underrated every-down right end, but Osi Umenyiora is simply one of the best in the business. He terrorized Winston Justice in one game, and, though he is unlikely to reach the same level of success, he is constantly in other teams' backfields.

Right Defensive tackle: Advantage Eagles 

Chris Canty is making a position switch, while Broderick Bunkley had a breakout run at the end of the year last year and seems poised to be a force both against the pass and against the run.

Left Defensive Tackle: Even

Both Mike Patterson and Fred Robbins are experienced, brick wall-type run stuffers with playmaking ability.

Left Defensive End: Advantage Giants

Justin Tuck is a force to be reckoned with, while the Eagles' carousel has still not produced a consistent player. 

Depth: Even

The Giants have Rocky Bernard, Mathias Kiwanuka, and Barry Cofield; the Eagles have Darren Howard, Juqua Parker, Trevor Laws, Dan Klecko, and Chris Clemons. Both teams have great depth and ability to move guys around in different situations. 

Overall: Advantage Giants

The Giants will be able to generate significantly more of a pass rush, while both teams will be solid against the run.

WLB: Advantage Giants

Michael Boley is coming off a solid year in Atlanta. Akeem Jordan is a bit undersized and could lose his spot to Omar Gaither.

MLB: Advantage Eagles

Antonio Pierce was burned by Westbrook last year, while Stewart Bradley has the size, speed, and athleticism to be the next Brian Urlacher.

SLB: Even

Chris Gocong and Danny Clark are both solid, if unspectacular, 70-tackle players.

Overall: Even

Both teams have solid linebacking corps.

Secondary

CB1: Advantage Eagles

Asante Samuel had a tough time getting used to Jim Johnson's system, but, once he did, it was smooth sailing.

Samuel had three interceptions in the last few games, including two in the playoffs, one of which he returned for a touchdown and another was returned to the two yard-line.

He's the second-best cornerback in football and is poised for a huge season.

The Giants are also set for the position with playmaking cornerback Corey Webster.  However, while both have lockdown abilities, I give Samuel the edge because of his playmaking ability to both force a turnover and be dangerous on the return.

However, both the Giants and Eagles are set at this position.

CB2: Advantage Eagles

Assuming Sheldon Brown is playing, he has the experience and was scored on just once last year. Aaron Ross is solid, but Brown is an elite corner and probably the best No. 2 corner in the league.

Nickel: Advantage Eagles

Terrell Thomas is another inexperienced player, while both Joselio Hanson and Ellis Hobbs are experienced corners.

Hobbs was the No. 2 corner for a Super Bowl team.

FS: Advantage Giants

Kenny Phillips improved greatly last year, while free safety is still a bit of an unknown. If Demps plays, I think Phillips' experience gives him the edge.

However, if Sean Jones starts at strong safety and the Eagles slide Quintin Mikell to this side, give the Eagles a huge edge.

Mikell is the best safety in the division. 

SS: Advantage Eagles

No matter how you slice it, the Eagles have the edge here. Quintin Mikell is a playmaker, while Sean Jones had five interceptions last year. Michael Johnson had a nice year for a rookie, but he is still improving as a player.

No matter who starts here, I would give the Eagles an advantage. 

Overall Secondary: Advantage Eagles

The teams are fairly well-matched.

The thing to notice is that neither team has a huge advantage at any position. The teams have very few to no weaknesses.

Should be entertaining NFC East battle.

In terms of matchups

I like the Eagles' secondary over the Giants' wide receivers, and I think the Giants' run game will be a bit of a stalemate. Jacobs will have a couple of big runs, but for the most part the Eagles will limit the bleeding.

Expect 17-20 points for the Giants.

On the other side, the Giants will be one of the few teams the Eagles will fail to light the scoreboard up against. The run will be almost completely shut down, but I believe the Eagles will make plays on short passes to Brian Westbrook, Lesean McCoy, Brent Celek, and Desean Jackson to keep the chains moving on back-breaking third downs.

Expect about 20 points for the Eagles. 

These will be close, tough games.

I expect turnovers to be the deciding outcome. In addition to having a slightly smoother offense, I think the Eagles are better at taking care of the ball and forcing turn overs, so I give them a slight edge head-to-head (though I think they will split the season series). 

In terms of facing the rest of the league, both teams should have a similar level of success because each has the ability to dominate other teams in certain aspects.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?