As the 2019 season comes to a close, the New York Giants will finish with a losing record for the third straight year.
On a brighter note, they have a chance to finish the season strong by closing out on a three-game winning streak by beating the Philadelphia Eagles. By doing so, the G-Men would ultimately be playing spoiler against an Eagle team that must win to clinch the NFC East division title.
If the Eagles lose and the Cowboys beat the Redskins, then Dallas will be crowned division champions. The Eagles are riding a three-game winning streak of their own, which started against the Giants in Week 14. Now, Philadelphia is looking to cap off their season with a fourth straight divisional win, along with the crown in the east.
Let’s take a look at five reasons why the Giants could fulfill the act of spoiler on Sunday.
Momentum
Both teams are riding respective winning streaks, but the pressure is 100% on the Eagles, who must win to get into the playoffs.
The Giants received promising performances last week from Daniel Jones, who threw for a career high 352 yards and five touchdown passes to go along with Saquon Barkley and his two touchdowns on 279 yards from scrimmage (Giants single-game franchise record, 189 rushing, 90 receiving).
While the defense has remained shaky, the offense was clicking on all-cylinders and if Jones and Barkley can put up similar numbers this week, they could potentially play spoiler against this red-hot Eagles team.
Eagles’ secondary
Despite playing their best game of the season last week, the Eagles secondary is still a glaring weakness on this team. Not only did Dak Prescott struggle with accuracy (25-for-44) but Cowboys receivers dropped five passes, as well.
According to Brian Baldinger’s film breakdown, Dallas had open receivers, Dak was either just off target or didn’t see them. Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz also helped out his defensive backfield by bringing constant pressure. Prescott only threw for 46 yards when under pressure on Sunday.
If Jones can take advantage of these holes in the secondary, it could spell a long day for the Eagles and their 19th-ranked pass defense, which gives up 239 yards in the air per game.
Stop the run
A big reason for the Eagles’ recent success has come off the back of rookie running back Miles Sanders, who had 156 total yards and two touchdowns last week.
Sanders only rushed for 45 yards to go along with 24 receiving yards in Week 14 against the Giants. If James Bettcher can find a way to once again neutralize Sanders by loading the box against the run, it will put more pressure on Carson Wentz, who will be without tight end Zach Ertz.
Thin receiving corps
Sanders and tight end number two, Dallas Goedert (9 catches 91 yards one touchdown), picked up the slack for Ertz last week after he injured his ribs early on, but it will be difficult to expect them to carry the load again given their lack of supporting cast around them at the wide receiver position.
Receiver Nelson Agholor has officially been ruled out. Greg Ward Jr. has emerged as the Eagles number one receiver the last two weeks catching the game-winner against the Redskins and then catching seven passes for 71 yards versus Dallas.
Beyond Ward, Carson Wentz has unproven receivers JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Robert Davis. With Ertz out, it could be difficult for Wentz who already has limited reinforcements.
Balanced attack
The Giants have had a balanced attack over the course of their two-game winning streak. First with Eli Manning and then last week with Daniel Jones as the offense seemed to be firing on all cylinders scoring a combined 77 points the past two weeks.
The Eagles currently have the third-best run defense in the league, allowing a mere 88 yards on the ground per week. Despite this impressive stat, Barkley was still able to rush for 66 yards against them in Week 14 and is coming off back-to-back 100 plus yard, multi-touchdown games.
If Barkley keeps the hot hand going and Pat Shurmur establishes the run with him, the offense could be picking up where they left off in the department of success. Barkley (4 catches 90 yards and a touchdown), Sterling Shepard (6 catches 76 yards one touchdown), and Golden Tate (6 catches 96 yards) all had big days.
Tight end Kaden Smith is coming off a career day hauling in two touchdown catches including the game winner in over time. Darius Slayton did not have a catch but had two touchdowns against the Eagles in Week 14.
Danny Dimes needs another five-touchdown performance to beat Baker Mayfield’s rookie record set last season (27). Can he get there? We shall see!
