The New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles and set to face one another for the third time this season once they meet on Saturday within the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs.
With a lot on the road, each tiny benefit may pay enormous dividends, so we introduced in beat writers for every workforce to debate how the groups are possible approaching this sport and which gamers may play pivotal roles. Beneath is a dialog with Christian Arnold, the Giants beat author for amNew York Sports activities, and two contributors from Philly Sports Network: Bryan Cameron, the Eagles Managing Editor, and Ethan Rappleye, Eagles Author for PSN.
How did the Eagles have success in opposition to the Giants in earlier video games?
CA: Not counting the Week 18 win, which was nearer than folks anticipated, the Giants had been simply outmatched in Week 14. They had been within the midst of considered one of their worst stretches of the season, and it confirmed. Philly took full benefit of that, stifling the Giants’ run sport – Saquon Barkley had simply 28 speeding yards and Tyrod Taylor led the workforce with 40 – and sacked Daniel Jones twice. On the flip facet, Jalen Hurts seemed just like the MVP-caliber QB he’s, and the Giants let the Eagles run the ball as a lot as they wished.
BC: Offensively, the Eagles relied closely on the run sport of their first matchup. The Eagles rushed for a complete of 254 yards with Miles Sanders main the best way with 144 speeding yards. Additionally they scored 4 speeding touchdowns to associate with the 2 passing touchdowns from Jalen Hurts. One other benefit for the Eagles was their means to carry onto the ball to regulate the clock. The Eagles received the time of possession battle 32 minutes to the Giants’ 27 minutes.
In what areas did the Eagles wrestle in opposition to the Giants in earlier video games?
CA: It’s laborious to nitpick a lot of that Week 14 matchup and Week 18 is tough to make use of as a barometer.
ER: Within the first sport between these two groups, the Eagles didn’t wrestle a lot. They dominated on each the offensive and defensive ends and even obtained some jolts from Boston Scott on particular groups. The second sport was a lot nearer regardless of the Giants taking part in few starters. Philadelphia’s offense moved the ball up and down the sector however had hassle scoring within the purple zone, being held to 5 subject targets and only one landing.
How will this sport be totally different than the primary two?
CA: Nicely, for one factor, the Giants are a way more assured workforce and taking part in a few of their finest soccer going into this matchup on Saturday. Additionally, their starters can be within the lineup, in contrast to within the closing sport of the common season. The Giants can even be a lot more healthy this time round, which wasn’t the case within the first assembly in Week 14.
BC: The depth. Each groups have so much to lose for various causes. The Giants will combat for his or her delight in hopes of not being overwhelmed by the Eagles for a 3rd time. Whereas the Eagles will combat to show that they’re the primary seed within the NFC for a purpose. Whereas each groups are extraordinarily banged up, this battle will come down to which workforce has extra poise. One thing that has been a power of Jalen Hurts.
Which Giants participant ought to scare the Eagles to most?
CA: Maybe I’m shopping for into the swagger, however I’d must say edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux. The person who as soon as mentioned “prime time likes me” has backed that up along with his play on the sector this season. In large video games, the rookie has stepped up for the Giants, together with that Sunday Evening Soccer clash with the Washington Commanders. Thibodeaux’s 4 sacks, 49 tackles, 13 quarterback hits, and 6 tackles for losses don’t present the complete scope of the participant that he’s, and the Eagles may study that on Saturday night time.
ER: The Big who places probably the most worry into the Eagles needs to be Daniel Jones. Some could argue it’s Saquon Barkley, however Jones performed one of the best sport of his profession final week in opposition to Minnesota and has but to achieve his ceiling, whereas Barkley is already at his. After only one yr in a brand new offensive system, Jones has damaged out as a operating menace, getting extra yards on the bottom than even Jalen Hurts. His arm has at all times been his greatest weak point, however in opposition to the Vikings he was extraordinarily environment friendly and correct with out turning the ball over. Jones just isn’t an elite quarterback, however he’s younger and ascending, with the power to place the workforce on his again as he did final week.
Which Eagles participant ought to scare the Giants to most?
CA: It’s laborious to select anybody aside from Jalen Hurts. The Eagles have a roster that’s harmful up and down, however Hurts takes the cake, particularly after he threw for 217 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for one more 77 yards and a TD on the bottom.
BC: Haason Reddick. There’s a purpose that he completed the season with 16 sacks and 5 pressured fumbles. Reddick has a motor that by no means slows down, and he can be key to the Eagles’ plan of assault. If Philly desires to win this sport, then they should unleash Haason Reddick and permit him to make Daniel Jones very uncomfortable.
How can the Eagles win this sport?
CA: Repeat the dominant efficiency that they had in Week 14 in opposition to the Giants on the Meadowlands. Punch a gap by way of the Giants’ line of defense with their run sport, and Jalen Hurts must be Jalen Hurts. After seeing one another twice in a single month, there aren’t too many secrets and techniques at this level, and the Eagles gameplan received’t change a lot this time round.
ER: The Eagles can win this sport by sticking to their identification. In Week 14, they blew out New York nu establishing a floor sport then expanded out into the passing sport when wanted. When the Eagles’ offense is balanced, it could be the toughest to cease within the league. On the defensive facet, they must at the least be serviceable in run-stopping, which is one thing they’ve had a tough time doing in some video games.
How can the Giants win this sport?
CA: I feel the important thing to that is for the protection to have the ability to include Hurts as finest as they will and for the secondary to repeat the trouble that they had in opposition to Minnesota the place they held Justin Jefferson to simply 47 yards on seven receptions. On the offensive facet, the Giants’ O-line wants to have the ability to fend off the scary Eagles move rush. Give Daniel Jones the time to make the precise performs and proceed the success he’s had over the previous few weeks.
BC: If the Giants wish to upset the Eagles then they must power Philadelphia’s offense into errors. The video games that the Eagles have misplaced have been due to their incapacity to care for the ball. Time of possession can also be one other issue. In the entire Eagles’ losses and shut video games this season, the workforce has been on the incorrect finish of the time of possession. If the Giants can maintain the Eagles’ offense off of the sector then there’s no method that Hurts and firm can discover a rhythm. These two parts would result in an enormous upset win for New York.
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