Eagles vs Giants Preview
Nick Sirianni and the red-hot Eagles are rolling into Thanksgiving weekend with a matchup against a struggling Giants team that is coming off the heels of an embarrassing Monday Night performance against the Buccaneers. Later that week, the Giants fired offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, as Freddie Kitchens will be calling the offensive plays against Philly. This game also means a little something special to both fanbases because the Eagles notably tanked their Week 17 game against the Washington Football team, which not only raised the Eagles draft pick but kept the 6-10 Giants (who should not have even been in playoff consideration in the first place) out of the playoffs. To make matters worse for Giants fans, the Eagles traded down to pick 12 in the NFL Draft, but then traded with the Dallas Cowboys of all teams to steal DeVonta Smith from the Giants.
New York Giants Injury Report:
The Giants ruled out fullback Cullen Gillaspia (Calf), receiver Sterling Shepard (quad), and tight end Kaden Smith (knee). Tight end Kyle Rudolph (ankle) and wide receiver Kadarius Toney (quad) were listed as doubtful, and it is extremely likely they will not suit up. The Giants also listed running back Saquon Barkley (ankle) and wideout John Ross (quad) as questionable. Both Ross and Barkley were limited in practice all week, and it is likely they play unless of any setbacks.
Philadelphia Eagles Injury Report:
Earlier in the week linebacker Davion Taylor (knee) was placed on injured reserve, which will keep him out for at least three weeks, but it is likely he misses more than that. Running back Jordan Howard was also ruled out with a knee injury, but not placed on injured reserve, so he could return for the Jets game next week. Edge rusher Josh Sweat (knee) and linebacker Shaun Bradley (neck) were limited in practice throughout the week, but they did not have an injury status on the final injury report, so they are good to go. Defensive player of the year candidate Darius Slay came up with a concussion late in the Saints game, but he cleared concussion protocol and will start against New York.
Key Matchups:
Defense:
Darius Slay vs Kenny Golladay
Josh Sweat vs Andrew Thomas
Javon Hargrave vs Billy Price
The Giants have their fair share of offensive weapons, but they will be without two of their starting wideouts, their second and third string tight ends, and their star running back has been dealing with ankle problems lately. The Giants offensive line has also been one of the worst in the league, and they will have their hands full with the dominant Eagles interior pass rush led by Fletcher Cox and Javon Hargrave. Teams have been double teaming Hargrave after his phenomenal start, and it will be the center Bill Price's responsibility to pick up the double teams of Javon Hargrave. Bill Price has struggled this season, and he will have to play a good game against Philly, or he will get bullied around all day long. Since T.J. Edwards has been named the starter at linebacker, the Eagles defense has been much improved against the run, and they will need to continue that this week against the electric Saquon Barkley. On the outside, Kenny Golladay is the Giants best receiver, but he has not lived up to his hefty contract yet, and he will be going against one of the best lockdown corners in the league in Darius Slay. The Giants will likely need other players like Evan Engram and Darius Slayton to step up if they want to upset the Eagles in MetLife.
Offense:
Jason Kelce vs Leonard Williams
DeVonta Smith vs James Bradberry
Dallas Goedert vs Xavier McKinney
For the Giants to win this week, they will need their defense to dictate the game and come up with big plays, and that starts up front with Leonard Williams, who is their best pass rusher and run stuffer on New York. Williams will have to set the tone for the Giants up front, and the linebackers, led by Lorenzo Carter, will have to play a sound game. The matchup that everybody will be watching is the showdown between rookie sensation Devonta Smith and the former Panther James Bradberry. After a spectacular campaign in 2020, Bradberry has gotten beat a fair amount of times this year, but he is still one of the best corners in the game. Smith was the Heisman winner at Alabama, and he is on pace to hit the 1,000-yard mark as a rookie in the NFL. It will be tough for the Giants to contain the Eagles high octane run game, but they will live with the Eagles running the ball if that eliminates the big plays on the outside. The Eagles offense has been humming the last month of the season, but it is important that they avoid a letdown to get back to .500 and jump to the 7th seed in the NFC Playoff picture.