Eagles vs. Giants: 5 Keys to a Giants Victory

The New York Giants entertain hated rival the Philadelphia Eagles in Sunday's late kick-off, hoping to rebound from last week's tough loss to the San Francisco 49ers.

The game will have huge implications for the fate of the NFC East in what is a significant week of action for the division.

The second-place Dallas Cowboys will travel to the nation's capital to do battle with the struggling Washington Redskins.

The Giants must return to winning ways and take advantage of any potential slip up from their nearest contenders.

New York defeated the Eagles on the road earlier in the season.  But their recent overall shaky record against Philadelphia means that this game cannot be taken for granted despite the Eagles' struggles this year.

Here are five keys to ensuring the Giants complete a clean sweep of their old rival and stay on course to win the NFC East. 

5. Lots of Zone Coverage

The Eagles' injury issues at wide receiver may tempt the Giants into adopting a more aggressive, man-based coverage approach.

But the main priority for the New York defense remains to be containing Michael Vick.  Heavy use of zone coverage throughout the defense ensures that defenders will have their eyes in the backfield and be able to spy Vick's movements.

Turning their backs to run with receivers will be a recipe for disaster against Vick.  There is also the threat posed by LeSean McCoy to consider, as well.

McCoy's weaving, quick-cutting style of running demands a more read and react approach in order to contain him.

Maintaining disciplined zones is the simplest way to keep eyes on the Eagles' dynamic and explosive rushing threats.

4. Blitz off the Edges

When the G-men do decide to bring pressure, it is essential that any blitzes are designed to come off the edges.

Against a fleet-footed scrambler like Vick, the Giants cannot give up the middle.  Sending rushers through central areas is the quickest way to break down the structure of the defense and provide Vick with lanes of escape.

The Giants have been burned in the past, attempting to pressure Vick up the middle, most notably in last season's collapse at MetLife Stadium.

The Giants' defensive line needs to hold the pocket and set hard edges.  Any blitzers can then have the freedom to attack from the perimeter.

The New York defense is one of the best in the league at utilizing secondary blitzes.  Safeties and nickel and dime backs should regularly be sent off the corner at Vick. 

3. Use Some Speed in the Running Game to Attack the Middle of Eagles Defense

Brandon Jacobs may seem like the ideal man to pound Philadelphia's lightweight defensive front.  But the Eagles' alignment could create some useful space for more speedy runners to exploit.

Along with the wide-nine alignments utilized by their defensive ends, the Eagles like to operate with two three-technique tackles.

The middle of the defense is naturally exposed.  Rather than letting the Eagles use their closing speed to quickly pinch down on a bruiser like Jacobs, the Giants should let D.J. Ware and rookie Da'Rel Scott use their quickness inside.

Some sprint draws and well designed trap plays could yield some big yards early on for the New York ground game.

If the Giants can quickly get a big body on the middle linebacker, Scott and Ware should soon be into the secondary. 

2. Exploit the Matchup Advantage Offered by Jake Ballard

Rapidly emerging tight end Jake Ballard presents a matchup nightmare to the Eagles defense.  The hulking pass catcher should be able to routinely expose Philadelphia's suspect linebackers.

Ballard has been a revelation so far in 2011.  The 6'6" 275 pounder has hauled in 26 receptions for 430-yards, at an impressive 16.5 yards per catch average.

It's difficult to imagine slight trio Jamar Chaney, Moise Fokou and Casey Matthews being able to cope with Ballard's physicality and precise route running.

The Giants should try some deep passes to the wideouts early on to force the safeties deep and leave Ballard free to terrorize the linebackers

1. Smarter Play Calling in the Red Zone

The need for smarter play calling is a demand which could reasonably be made of offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride every single week.

But after last week's repeated horror show inside the 20 against the 49ers, the Giants must come up with better ideas once they reach the red zone.

Even after a prolonged bout of soul searching, it is still next to impossible to fathom where the decision to consistently run a delayed draw out of the shotgun against the 49ers run defense comes from.

It is those kinds of calls that frequently cost a Giants team that usually plays well enough to win.  There will be opportunities against the Eagles defense and New York simply has to take them.

It is a pivotal weekend in the NFC East.  A victory by the Giants would all but destroy any lingering postseason hopes still retained by Eagles fans.

The Giants may have come undone in the Bay Area, but their overall performance was good enough to merit a win.

It is important to rebound this week and not fall victim to the kind of follies that have plagued them against the Eagles in recent seasons.