The New York Giants are currently on an eight-game losing streak and are heading to Philadelphia (where they haven’t won a game since 2013) to take on the struggling Eagles on Monday night.
The Eagles are on a three-game losing streak of their own after an embarrassing 37-31 loss to the lowly Miami Dolphins last week. At 5-7, they are watching their divisional championship hopes dwindle away if things continue to trend in the wrong direction.
With the Dallas Cowboys in a rut of their own at 6-6, the Eagles absolutely need to win this game, which arguably makes the Giants even more dangerous in the role as spoiler.
Here are five reasons why the Giants can pull off an improbable victory in a city they haven’t won in since 2013.
Eli Manning
Rookie Daniel Jones seemingly unseated Manning from his 16-year starting quarterback throne with the Giants for good in Week 3 when he took over. Unfortunately, Jones suffered what they are calling a high ankle sprain last week against the Green Bay Packers, despite finishing out the contest.
On Monday Pat Shurmur initially stated that Jones did not require any further tests on the ankle Monday expecting him to be fine. However, on Wednesday Shurmur announced that Jones would not practice while also revealing he suffered a high ankle sprain.
Paging doctor Manning, it now looks more than likely that Eli will start on Monday for the first time since being benched in favor of Jones in Week 3.
While Jones has shown promising signs this season, he still has the expected growing pains of a rookie quarterback. With Eli, the Giants get a veteran Hall of Famer, who has been around the block a few times and has battled it out with the Eagles for close to 20 years. He also eliminates the turnover issues that come with Jones in his first year.
It is expected that Eli will return with a chip on his shoulder and make the most of his surprise playing time. But, keep in mind that Manning has struggled against the Eagles in his career with a 10-22 record, and a 59.3% completion percentage. The Eagles have won their last five meetings with the Giants and nine of their last 10 games. Monday could give us a better idea of whether Pat Shurmur pulled the plug on Eli too early this season. We shall find out.
Saquon Barkley
It was a step in the right direction for Saquon Barkley on Sunday against the Packers rushing for 83 yards on 19 carries. Barkley looked to be a little more explosive than regular since returning from his high ankle sprain, so that aspect is a positive in its own.
The Eagles have the fourth best run defense allowing only 91 yards on the ground per game, which will be tough assignment for a struggling run blocking offense. Luckily, Barkley got a boost from his new tight end Kaden Smith, who did a nice job sealing the edge to help spring him, which could play a factor this week.
Barkley only had three catches for 32 yards last week. Eli targeted him a total of 13 times in the first two games of the season. If Eli and Pat Shurmur can get Saquon involved in the passing game in space, he could have a big day against an Eagles defense that gave up 37 points and 409 total yards against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday.
in his last matchup with the Eagles, Barkley rushed for 101 yards on 13 carries and one touchdown while also catching seven passes for 41 yards and a touchdown.
Eagles’ sputtering offense
The Eagles and Carson Wentz have failed to find much consistency this year on the offensive side of the ball. Prior to the 31 points they posted in a loss to the 30th-ranked defense, the team scored a total of 19 points against the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots in their previous two games.
Wentz has taken a lot of heat this year, but he could be having a worse season with his 20-7 touchdown-interception ratio and 62.3 completion percentage. His receivers have also dropped over 15 passes — 11 between Alshon Jeffrey, Nelson Agholor and Dallas Goedert. It is certainly not all Wentz’s fault as his play calling has been under heavy scrutiny as well.
The Eagles has the 18th-ranked passing offense throwing for only 223 yards in the air per week. Part of it is the weak receiving core, the inconsistency of Wentz, and the play calling. They have rushed for 118 yards per week but rank 20th in points per game with 22.
The Giants inconsistent defense can take advantage of a battered offense, who need a “get right game.” It is up to James Bettcher to stop the run and put pressure on Wentz throughout the game.
Eagles’ defense
The Eagles defense ranks 14th in total yardage allowed (332 yards per game), but are coming off a week where they surrendered 409 total yards and 37 points to the NFL’s 30th ranked defense in the Dolphins. Journeyman quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick torched them for 365 yards on 27-of-39 passing and three touchdowns.
Eli Manning has been waiting on the bench for the past 10 games and is waiting to strike against an old rival, who has mostly gotten the better of him throughout his career. What better way for Manning to likely go out than getting the best of his longtime divisional rival?
Although the Eagles don’t give up much in the running game (91 yards per game), they still have had their issues in the secondary and will have their hands full against Giant receivers Sterling Shepard, Darius Slayton and Cody Latimer.
Newcomer Kaden Smith, a sixth-round tight end out of Stanford, has also come on as of late catching 11 balls for 87 yards and a touchdown in the last two games. Evan Engram (foot) and Golden Tate (concussion) also could be back from injuries. Eli will certainly be taking his shots down field against this Eagles secondary, all game long.
Consistency in the secondary
This has been a glaring issue for the Giants throughout the season. The secondary will take one step forward, but then five steps back after blowing an assignment, where it seems like they have no clue what they are doing.
Prime example last week against the Packers. Antoine Bethea and Corey Ballentine broke up a deep Aaron Rodgers pass perfectly but it was negated by a penalty. Earlier in the game, Bethea gave up a touchdown to Allen Lazard in quarters coverage. Ballentine was showing improvement before suffering a concussion, which forced Grant Haley back into the slot corner position, which Rodgers took advantage of for the remainder of the afternoon.
Janoris Jenkins voiced his displeasure in the defensive scheme since he is not able to shadow the top receiver of his opponent. The hope is that Bettcher will listen to Jenkins this week and allow him to follow Alshon Jeffrey throughout the game.
The Eagles also have Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert (four drops), who are receiving threats at the tight end position. With Jabrill Peppers out, rookie safety Julian Love will take on this assignment with Antoine Bethea.
Love has played well in his last two games picking up his first career interception and scoring above an 80 Pro Football Focus grade each week. Against the Packers, he was the highest graded Giant at 83.0. He also showed off his versatility playing 39 snaps in the box, 10 in the slot, 9 at free safety, and rushed the passer four times.
Sam Beal and DeAndre Baker continue to split time each week with Beal’s snaps steadily increased since being activated in Week 10. The pair will most likely be called upon to lock-down Eagles receivers Nelson Agholor and JJ Arcega Whiteside.
If the secondary stays on the same page and gets help from their front seven in putting pressure on Wentz, they could have a bounce back week against a struggling Eagles offense.
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