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Game 11 preview

Sun Nov 28, 1:00 pm (FOX) - Philadelphia at Giants.

The Giants.
It should be obvious that the Giants' team of today bears no resemblance to the one that set out on the field to play against the Eagles on opening day. Some defensive players are gone due to injuries - defensive ends Michael Strahan and Keith Washington, and starting safeties Shaun Williams and Omar Stoutmire. Some others, coming off injuries then, are playing at full strength now - linebacker Carlos Emmons and cornerback Will Allen.
Back in September, the players were getting used to a new defensive scheme while breaking in a new offensive line and quarterback. Despite injuries, the defense has grown more solid. The offensive line weaknesses have been found out and they are even playing better, while breaking in yet another new quarterback. The major difference from then to now is that all these players have more experience playing together, and that's very important when reaction times and tenths of a second count on the field.

The Eagles.
While the Giants carefully worked every game to play as perfectly as possible, ever adjusting to squeeze out a few wins, the Eagles basically remained the same team from the start, which is not at all a bad thing for them. They were ready from the get-go of the season, and after thoroughly beating the Giants in week 1, they went on to accumulate 8 more wins against only 1 loss for an overall 9-1 record. Just as the Giants want to forget that opening day loss, the Eagles do not want to be reminded of their lone one against Pittsburgh earlier in the month, and both of those games will be on their minds as they prepare for this week's matchup.
Since they succumbed to that 27-3 loss against Pittsburgh, the Eagles went on to play two struggling teams, the Cowboys and Redskins. While no one would mistake the current NY Giants team with the Pittsburgh Steelers, it's nice to know that the Eagles can be had, that they recently went 0-8 on 3rd down conversions, that Brian Westbrook could be held to just 17 yards on 6 carries, that McNabb could be sacked 4 times and intercepted once, and even if Terrell Owens has 7 catches for 53 yards, he can be kept out of the endzone. It's also nice to know that just last week the Eagles were holding a slim 7-6 lead over Washington at the half.

One player.
Can one player make all the difference? Terrell Owens has 13 touchdowns and is on the verge of breaking the Eagles single season record. They haven't been 9-1 since 1980, the only year they went on to play in the Super Bowl. Terrell insisted he play in Philadelphia (not Baltimore) and he appears to be the perfect match. In a similar fashion, Eli Manning wanted to play for the Giants (not San Diego) and he got his wish.
Playing as a starter in his first game last week, you could see what Eli brings to the game. The big thing is that the offense no longer has to protect a quarterback for an eternity. They gave up only 1 sack last week against a team that's ranked right up there in sacks with the Eagles, Ravens and Steelers. Remember that Kurt Warner was sacked 6 times the week before against Arizona. With Eli in the game, Jeremy Shockey was able to get some game play on the other side of the line for a change.

This week.
The Giants have had just 7 TD passes all year in ten games, and one of those belongs to Eli in his first starting game. You can't expect him to have 6 in one game like his brother Peyton did against Detroit on Thanksgiving Day, but if Eli could maybe do a little better than last week and get 2, and Tiki gets 1 on the ground and Steve Christie kicks 2 field goals, that's 27 points. The Eagles average just under that a game, so there you have it.
Is that asking too much? And come on, you just know those Eagle players ate way too much turkey on Thanksgiving day seeing the schedule had them up against the Giants and a rookie quarterback this weekend. Who would you rather face for early football practice the day after family and friends gorge-yourself day? A 'slim looking tough' Tom Coughlin, or a 'pass that drumstick over here' Andy Reid?

Notes.
For the first time, Eagles QB Donovan McNabb will face the Giants without Michael Strahan, out with a torn pectoral muscle.
Strahan has 118 career sacks, 11 1/2 of McNabb, more than any other quarterback.

Giants are 73-64-2 against the Eagles.
Eagles have won 6 out of the last 7 games.

Eagles are playing against rookie quarterback Eli Manning in his second start.
Eagles only loss this year was to rookie quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Since 2000 Eagles have gone 53-18 in the regular season, earned 3 consecutive shots at the NFC title game, and have lost each time.

The Giants are holding their annual coat drive on Sunday and are asking fans to bring new or lightly worn coats.

Next Game
Dec 5 - Giants at Washington 4:15 PM.


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