NFL: 10 Key Matchups in the Eagles vs. Giants Game on Sunday
Itโs a division match-up for the ages in the brutal NFC East. Eli Manningโs New York Giants and Michael Vickโs Philadelphia Eagles will square off for conference supremacy and a lead at the top of the division. The game will be special, but here are 10 match-ups to watch for tomorrow night.
1. Michael Vick vs. Osi Umenyiora
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Itโs quite simple for the Giants, donโt let Michael Vick expand the pocket.
He showcased his ability to throw downfield on boot leg roll-outs last week against Washington, but Umenyiora must remember not to over-pursue Vick. Osi is coming from Vickโs blind side, so he must push the pocket inward, forcing Vick to scramble backwards. Vick can throw on the run but not off his back foot. We saw Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis struggle two weeks ago with collapsing the pocket, frequently over-running Vick. Umenyiora should watch those tapes.
2. Michael Boley vs. LeSean McCoy
2 of 10McCoyโs ability as a pass-catcher is terrific, while Michael Boley is New Yorkโs defensive spark plug and a solid coverage man.
Instead of acting as a spy for Vick, Boley should look for delayed screens and underneath routes that give McCoy running room in the open field. Boley must also be smart with his blitz timing and force McCoy to be an unexpected blocker. McCoy is already banged-up with a rib injury but can be so dangerous in a Phili offense loaded with weapons.
3. DeSean Jackson vs. Double Coverage
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Jacksonโs speed is unrivaled, and he provides Philadelphiaโs offense with an ultimate down field threat.
Tom Coughlin should consider allowing Antrell Rolle to act as a hawk on Jackson, combating Jacksonโs small build with Rolleโs big-hitting ability. These are the games that Rolle was paid big money for, and regardless of who is covering Jackson at the line, Rolle will be watching over the top.
4. Asante Samuel vs. Hakeem Nicks
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It will be VERY important for Nicks to get open when he can. Samuel is Philiโs best coverage player, and he picked off Peyton Manning twice a few weeks ago. Nicks has been dominant this season and will draw double coverage, and if he can catch passes at a steady pace, Mario Manningham will be more useful on the other side of the field.
5. Ernie Sims vs. Giantsโ Fullback
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Sims will be looking to attack the backfield all night. The reason that I am general as to who the Giantsโ fullback will be is they might very well use Brandon Jacobs. Jacobs is capable of blocking for Ahmad Bradshaw and Eli Manning. The Giants will have to watch Sims to an extreme, heโs been penalized for one hit this season, and heโd love to knock out Manning.
6. Perry Fewell vs. Mike Vick
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After last weekโs embarrassing defensive showing, Fewell must contain the hottest offensive player in the league this week.
It will be up to him to mix blitz formations to stop Vick. We saw Laron Landry fail as a spy for Washington last week, so Fewell can most likely eliminate that option. Iโd try a Cover 2 defense with some linebackers underneath, while occasionally sending a corner man to bring more pressure with Umenyiora. Again, I donโt know best, but Perry Fewell needs to pick himself back up after last week.
7. Sean McDermott vs. Ahmad Bradshaw
7 of 10Philadelphia MUST contain Bradshaw.
Heโs unexpectedly second in the NFC in rushing this season and has been able to break into the secondary several times. McDermott must get his run defense in rhythm early, because even though they won last week, Washingtonโs Keiland Williams ran all over the place. Philadelphia ranks 12th against the run but has been streaky this season.
8. Brent Celek vs. Himself
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Celek has not played well this season.
Although he does not get as many looks as when Kolb is behind center for the Eagles, Celek must find it in himself to break out. Heโll take a lot of pressure off the Eagles receivers if he can make some plays in the middle of the field, opening up some sideline routes for Maclin and Jackson. Celek has been used as a blocker a lot, but we know he has potential and can make the big play.
Get it together, young man!
9. Marty Mornhinweg vs. Perry Fewell
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Mornhinwegโs genius call of an offensive game last week can be replicated Sunday night if he uses his teamโs speed.
The Giants will certainly apply more pressure on Michael Vick, as they have knocked out several quarterbacks this season. With more blitzes coming, Mornhinweg might use more wide receiver screens or shorter routes on the outside to give Vick more quick options. Mornhinweg should also consider stretching Perry Fewellโs defense out with four wide receiver sets, since Vick also counts as a fifth man because of his ability to get out of the pocket.
Itโs Mornhinwegโs speed against Fewellโs power.
Let the battle begin.
10. Andy Reid vs. Tom Coughlin
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Although these teams meet again one more time this season, this game is very important for both of the coaches.
Coughlin is looking to avoid losing two straight divisional games, and he is often the man to blame when the Giants lose. Heโs a great coach and wants to prove to the front office that the team is still a serious Super Bowl threat.
As for Reid, this game is important in terms of Michael Vickโs stability in his eyes. It looks as if Vick might end up staying with Philadelphia for the long term, and Reid would like nothing more than to have stability at the quarterback position after McNabbโs departure and the juggles with Kolb this season. With every win, Reid gets more credit for bringing Vick to Philadelphia.
Reid is a greatย sideline man, but he needs to win these big games in order to head back to the playoffs.ย
