No one can know what to expect from a game like this. The Eagles are coming off an embarrassing loss to the Cardinals and the Giants are coming off a dominant victory against the Panthers. Vick has been struggling and murmurs of him losing his starting job have already been rumored. Eli on the other hand, has percolated and is leading a very good offense. Logically the Giants could be favored simply due to the fact that they recently appear to be on the rise while the Eagles seem to be declining. This is all true indeed, but this is a Giants Eagles game, so forget any kind of logic.
In fact, forget that both teams are 2-1 and are competing to stay afloat in a tight NFC East. It wouldn't matter if this were a 15-0 team against an 0-15 team. These are the most important games all season and both teams will come to play no matter what. It will be intense, it will be passionate, it will be dramatic.
Recently the Eagles have had the upper hand in these games. The Eagles have won 6 of the last 7 games between these two teams. The Giants however managed to get a big win last year in Philly to end the drought. Since Andy Reid has been head coach of the Eagles he has always done an excellent job of figuring out the Giants run game. Even in years like 2006 and 2008 when the Giants had some of the best running games in football the Eagles had them beat. Defensively the Eagles always seem to be very well prepared for the Giants. This time around, Eli is not nearly as dependent on the running game and has proven that he can win big games without it. The Giants ranked dead last in rushing last year when they won the super bowl. Nonetheless, Andre Brown has emerged from the bottom of the depth chart after an Ahmad Bradshaw injury and shown he can get it done. Now Bradshaw is back and expected to play in this game. In other words, Eli who has had success without a good run game, actually has one now. The Eagles defense will be fired up and play well, but this Giants offense is not so one sided as it has been in recent years. The Eagles may slow them down, but the Giants are playing really well offensively right now and it should get it done.
What will define the winner of this game, is Mike Vick's performance. Lately Vick has seemed lost. He is holding on to the ball way too long and getting killed. He is turning over the ball left and right with interceptions and fumbles. Vick was fortunate to come away with a victory after an awful performance in Cleveland. The Eagles are even more fortunate to be sitting at 2-1. Philadelphia has the talent there's no question. Dependable running back in LeSean McCoy, explosive receivers in Maclin and Jackson (although Maclin's health is a concern), and a defense that has the ability to keep you in games and rush the passer. The Eagles have the depth, it's a matter of showing the world they are a team. Something they failed to do last year, but showed signs of turning around after ending their season on a four game winning streak.
Two veteran coaches in Tom Coughlin and Andy Reid going at it. Will a Giants defense that desperately needs a statement game be able to get to the elusive Mike Vick as his struggles continue? Or will he be able to turn it around and make a statement of his own. No matter what if the Giants want success they are going to have to pressure Vick but be disciplined about it due to his speed. If Vick is going to be flushed out of the pocket it is highly favored that Vick runs to his right, seeing as he's a lefty and it's a more difficult throw and he'll most likely choose to run it himself. That's when the Giants have to hit Vick hard and make sure he doesn't wanna run it again. Make him want to stay in the pocket. That's where he's been throwing most of his turnovers lately.
But if the Eagles were smart they'd try to run the football. The Giants have to prove they'll be able to stop a decent run game this year. Demarco Murray had his ways against us in week one, that's footage that Andy Reid will see and want to remember. Expect the Eagles to go to LeSean McCoy early and establish a dependable run game and make Vick more comfortable. It would also put the Giants defense on their heals.
That's why it is crucial that the Giants get a dominant start offensively and get points on the board. Make the Eagles feel hesitant to try and run that football and make them more one dimensional. The Giants jumped on the Panthers last week and that caused an absolute field day. That opening drive silenced the crowd in Carolina, and if the Giants can come out and score the first time they touch the ball that would be a serious statement in a hostile Philadelphia environment.
It's Giants Eagles baby in the city of brotherly love. It's going to be loud, it's going to be exciting, and as any Giants or Eagles fan could have guessed, it's going to be crazy. But if the Giants stick to the game plan of getting on the board early and committing to stopping LeSean McCoy before things get out of hand, it may be logical to think that the Giants will be able to overcome the madness. The regular officials are back thank goodness, and they better be ready to break up lots of fights.
Who knows what will happen. Games like this aren't scripted. They often end in ludicrous fashion. Which is why the Giants got to remember to keep their cool. They can beat this team and they know it, but they have to prove it.
Just have to be smooth and easy, like Easy E. With two minutes left down a score the only quarterback I'd ever want out there is Eli Manning. That's a true luxury for a Giants fan. A clutch quarterback that knows exactly what he's doing.
Go Giants baby. Eagles suck.
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