Giants vs. Eagles: Complete Week 6 Preview for Philadelphia
The stage will be set Sunday night for a matchup between the 4-1 Philadelphia Eagles and 3-2 New York Giants, with first place in the NFC East potentially on the line. Chip Kelly has the Eagles first in the league in scoring offense, but the surprise is how Philadelphia is scoring. It’s been less Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy and more the result of a ridiculous stretch of defense and special teams touchdowns.
The Giants will be a major test for the Eagles, considering that New York has rebounded from an 0-2 start to win three straight, averaging 35 points per game during that span.
Eli Manning finally has healthy his rookie first-round receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., which means Eagles defensive coordinator Billy Davis will have his hands full trying to game plan for Beckham, Rueben Randle, Victor Cruz and tight end Larry Donnell.
Philadelphia is still waiting for several key players to return from injury, so it will be imperative that both Foles and McCoy regain their elite form, while the defense figures out a way to slow Manning and the Giants offense.
Here are the biggest storylines, injury notes and key matchups to watch for in this upcoming contest.
Eagles' Week 5 Recap
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The Philadelphia Eagles are fresh off a 34-28 win over the St. Louis Rams, but it was a win that revealed serious flaws in Chip Kelly’s team.
A 34-7 Eagles’ lead nearly evaporated, as Rams’ backup quarterback Austin Davis, a former undrafted free agent, nearly pulled off a comeback for the ages. Davis finished with 375 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions, although his fourth-down pass with a minute left fell incomplete, thus securing Philly’s win.
Nick Foles completed 65 percent of his passes for 207 yards, two touchdowns and just one interception, but for the second week in a row, he was off his game. Foles missed way too many throws and lost a pivotal fumble after scrambling to pick up a first down.
LeSean McCoy broke out of his funk—well, kind of—by rushing 24 times for 81 yards. He did lose a fumble on a truly horrific minus-nine-yard reception, one in which McCoy tried to elude tacklers but eventually lost a great deal of yardage...and then the ball. Jeremy Maclin continued his elite play with a late touchdown catch among his five receptions for 68 yards.
The defense couldn’t stop Davis for much of the fourth quarter, but fortunately, four sacks led to two fumbles, one of which Cedric Thornton recovered near the end zone for a touchdown.
The special teams units continued its outstanding play by blocking a punt and taking it back for a touchdown. It was the third time in three games the Eagles’ special teams scored a touchdown.
News and Notes
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Giants-Eagles Engaging in Trash Talk
In typical New York Giants-Philadelphia Eagles’ fashion, there’s been some verbal sparring heading into the game.
Former Eagles cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, now a member of the Giants, made sure to remind Eagles fans (in case we’re not aware) that Philadelphia has never won a Super Bowl.
It’s interesting that DRC should say that. You know, since he’s 0-for-2 himself in the NFL’s biggest game, losing with the 2008 Arizona Cardinals and 2013 Denver Broncos.
When Philadelphia corner Brandon Boykin was asked for a response, he said they’ll find out on Sunday who the better team is.
First Place in NFC East Potentially on the Line
If the Philadelphia Eagles win this game, they’re 5-1 and in pretty good position in the NFC. But if the New York Giants come away victorious, all of a sudden the Giants are 4-2, and they get the tiebreaker over the Eagles for the division lead.
That is, assuming the Seattle Seahawks can beat the Dallas Cowboys. That’s no guarantee at all, considering how well Dallas has been playing recently. Conceivably, there could be three teams in the NFC East with a 4-2 record, in which case the Giants would be the division leaders.
Nick Foles Has Never Started a Game against NY Giants
He’s been on the team since 2012, but Nick Foles has never actually started a game against the New York Giants.
In 2012, Michael Vick started both—a 19-17 Eagles win and a 42-7 loss. In 2013, Foles came into the game in relief of an injured Vick, and he threw for 197 yards and two touchdowns in a 36-21 Philadelphia victory. Vick then started the next matchup, a 15-7 setback that came a week after Foles sustained a concussion in an equally embarrassing 17-3 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
So if Foles is to become the city’s franchise quarterback, he better get used to playing the Giants. He will be facing a handful of his former teammates in Cullen Jenkins, Mike Patterson and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (plus former Eagle Quintin Demps), and the Giants lead the league in interceptions and are fourth in passer rating allowed.
Injury Report
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The Philadelphia Eagles will once again be without inside linebacker Mychal Kendricks, a third-year player whose athleticism makes him arguably the most pivotal player on the defense.
Kendricks hasn’t played since the Week 2 win over Indianapolis, and he suffered a minor setback this week. Per Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com, Kendricks was held out of Wednesday’s practice after participating on Tuesday. If Kendricks cannot go again, Philadelphia will likely have to rotate Casey Matthews, Emmanuel Acho and Marcus Smith.
The problem is that fellow starting inside linebacker, DeMeco Ryans, is also injured. Ryans is dealing with a groin injury he suffered in the win over St. Louis. His status is still unclear.
"DeMeco Ryans wasn’t able to do everything today. He said he’ll play if he thinks he can be effective. Teammates said they think he’s playing
— Les Bowen (@LesBowen) October 9, 2014
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There is nothing new regarding the status of either Evan Mathis or Jason Kelce. Each is out until at least November.
"Nov. 10 is the date to circle. That's when the Eagles could get Jason Kelce and Evan Mathis back. From @Tim_McManus: http://t.co/0Ng26s1r5I
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) October 2, 2014
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Running back Chris Polk is likely out for the game against the Giants, due to an ongoing hamstring issue. Wide receiver and special teams standout Brad Smith just underwent surgery to repair an injury to a core muscle, and he will be unavailable for this Sunday’s game as well.
"WR Brad Smith is also expected to miss the game against the #Giants. Chris Polk remains doubtful. #Eagles #NFL
— Inside The Iggles (@InsideIggles) October 9, 2014
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Here’s a complete injury report, per Pro Football Reference’s Eagles’ page.
| Position | Injury |
Mychal Kendricks | ILB | Calf (Out) |
Jason Kelce | C | Hernia (Out) |
Brad Smith | WR | Groin (Out) |
Chris Polk | RB | Hamstring (Doubtful) |
DeMeco Ryans | ILB | Groin (Questionable) |
Nolan Carroll | CB | Ankle (Probable) |
Brandon Boykin | CB | Hamstring (Probable) |
Matt Tobin | G/OT | Ankle (Probable) |
Josh Huff | WR | Shoulder (Probable) |
Trey Burton | TE | Achilles (Probable) |
Connor Barwin | OLB | Knee (Probable) |
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X-Factors and Matchups to Watch
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I highlighted the three most pivotal matchups of this contest in an article earlier this week, but here are a few more worth watching.
ROLB Trent Cole vs. LT Will Beatty
Veteran pass-rusher Trent Cole has been around for some of the more classic Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants games, namely the two playoff meetings and the famous Miracle at the New Meadowlands contest in 2010.
Cole will square off against left tackle Will Beatty this Sunday. Normally this would be an easy matchup for Cole, but Beatty has remarkably rejuvenated his career this season.
In fact, the big tackle’s going from being one of the worst at his position to one of the best.
In 2013, Pro Football Focus (subscription required) charted Beatty having allowed an NFL-worst 13 sacks, 39 quarterback hurries and nine penalties. This season, he’s been the best offensive tackle in the league, per PFF. He’s allowed just one sack and hasn’t yet committed a penalty. And his improved play has correlated with the Giants’ resurgence.
Cole is still a premier player, and he’s totaled 2.5 sacks, seven quarterback hits and three forced fumbles already in just five games. Last year, Beatty did not allow a sack in either game against the Eagles, despite his season-long struggles. For Philadelphia to win the battle in the trenches, they will need to get the best of Beatty.
LG Matt Tobin/C David Molk vs. RDT Johnathan Hankins
The Philadelphia Eagles aren’t even close to the same offense without Evan Mathis and Jason Kelce; in fact, the past several games has shown how indispensable those two players are. Just ask LeSean McCoy.
So Sunday’s trenches matchup could spell trouble for Philadelphia. Jason Peters will have his hands full on the outside with All-Pro defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. That will leave the duo of Matt Tobin and David Molk to square off against second-year defensive tackle, Johnathan Hankins.
Hankins was a possible first-round prospect a year ago who fell to the second round. He’s been an extremely effective player in 2014, rated by Pro Football Focus as the site's fifth-best interior defensive lineman in the league. He’s been equally effective in stopping both the run and rushing the passer.
Hankins has three sacks already, plus seven tackles without a missed tackle. He’s going to present a challenge for two offensive linemen who have looked overmatched all season.
CB Brandon Boykin vs. WR Victor Cruz
It seems whenever he gets to play, Philadelphia Eagles’ nickel cornerback Brandon Boykin plays well. Last year, his six interceptions from the slot were twice as many as any other corner in the league, per Pro Football Focus.
This year, Boykin has appeared in just over a third of the team’s defensive snaps. He should definitely see an increased role against the Giants, though.
The Giants’ base offense with Odell Beckham Jr. now healthy will be a three-wide receiver set. Victor Cruz is the likely slot receiver, which means Boykin will cover him.
Cruz leads the NFL in routes ran from the slot (154), and 32 of his 37 targets have come when he’s lined up in that position. After an early-season bout with drops, Cruz has played much better as of late, and he’s recorded 100 receiving yards in two of his last three games.
Last year, Cruz averaged six catches and 67 yards in the two contests against the Eagles but didn’t record a touchdown. Philadelphia would have to be happy with that result on Sunday night.
X-Factor: Cody Parkey
Call it a hunch, but Cody Parkey will play a pivotal role in Sunday’s matchup. It’s two highly competitive teams squaring off in prime-time football, and Parkey may get to attempt a game-winning field goal. After all, matchups between these two always seem to be close at the end.
In 2012, the Eagles beat the Giants, 19-17, when Lawrence Tynes’ 50-yard field goal fell short (he actually attempted it twice due to an ill-advised Andy Reid timeout). In 2011, Vince Young threw a late touchdown pass to rally the Eagles to a win. In Week 15 of 2010, DeSean Jackson took a punt all the way in the famous "Miracle II" game, and LeSean McCoy’s 50-yard run in the first matchup sealed the deal.
Expect something similar in this one, but with Parkey getting a chance to win it for the Eagles at the end.
Prediction
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There are a lot of reasons to think the New York Giants could win this game. The Giants offense behind Eli Manning has been clicking recently, and the Philadelphia Eagles secondary could be overmatched in trying to stop those three wide receivers in addition to New York's big tight end, Larry Donnell.
The key will be whether Philly can generate a few turnovers and if Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy can play to their abilities. Most Eagles games this year have been close, and this one will be no exception.
Fortunately, a 47-yard Cody Parkey field goal with seven seconds left will make Philadelphia 5-1 on the season.
Prediction: Eagles 34, Giants 31
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