Eagles quarterback controversy?
There is none as far as Andy Reid is concerned, "If Donovan's healthy, he's the quarterback." It was Jeff Garcia who lead the Eagles to a 5-1 record to win the NFC East title over the Giants after McNabb went down with a knee injury last year, but he isn't here now. You have A.J. Feeley who led a pair of second-half scoring drives after McNabb sprained his right ankle in the Miami game. Feeley finished 13-for-19 for 116 yards, with one touchdown and one interception turning a 7-3 deficit to a 17-7 win.
Then Feeley had career bests in completions (27) and yards passing (345) and threw three touchdowns in a 31-28 loss at New England. Last week Feeley threw four interceptions and finished 19-for-42 for 220 yards in that loss. So now Feeley has thrown two more interceptions than McNabb in just 2 1/2 games. Rookie Kevin Kolb, drafted in the second round, is not yet ready for primetime. What has Eagles president Joe Banner said about McNabb who owns a losing record as a starter since his Super Bowl loss in February of 2005? "I can't envision a situation in which he's not our quarterback next year."

Giants - Offense.
With Derrick Ward out for the year, the focus goes back to Brandon Jacobs, but is he healthy enough to take the load this week? Jacobs missed two games with a hamstring injury and the Giants aren't talking, but even if Jacobs starts, he'll have to last out the game or leave it to Reuben Droughns. In that Giants loss to the Vikings two weeks ago, Droughns was their main man. He gained 46 yards on 15 carries (1 touchdown), and Ahmad Bradshaw got some work rushing for 29 yards on 4 carries. When Jacobs plays a full game, they average around 57 yards more a game.
With Plaxico Burress still hurting, not practicing but still playing, Eli Manning sure could use a reliable speedy target. Last week, Sinorice Moss didn't catch a pass, and he supposedly ran two wrong routes before being replaced by David Tyree, who caught two passes for 37 yards. Rookie receiver Steve Smith could be the Giants secret weapon this week. He was injured early in the Giants second game against Green Bay. Smith has missed the last 10 games with various injuries but has been getting some extended practice time this week.

Eagles - Defense.
The Eagles defense is ranked 7th in the league and they have a tough front defensive line that's held opponents to just 96.8 yards per game (9th overall) and 3.7 yards per attempt. With injuries hitting their secondary, they have a league low 7 interceptions and rank just 19th in defending against the pass. Including those interceptions, they have forced just 13 turnovers all season, the fewest in the NFL. Cornerback Lito Sheppard aggravated a left-knee injury, that had him miss four games earlier this season, in last week's game against the Seahawks. They put William James, formerly the Giants Will Peterson, in for him. Sheppard should be back. Cornerback Sheldon Brown, with 3 interceptions, has been the lone regular to start every game. They have forced just 13 turnovers all season, including those 7 interceptions, fewest in the NFL.

Eagles - Offense.
Donovan McNabb may be 31, and slowed by knee and ankle injuries, but he is still very dangerous. The first time the Giants saw him this season, he was in his fourth game back after tearing his ACL last November. Osi Umenyiora had a team-record six sacks against him, and others added six more, but their left tackle William Thomas was sidelined, and running back Brian Westbrook and tight end L.J. Smith were also out for that game.
Even missing that one game, Westbrook is leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 1,598, and he needs just six yards for his second straight 1,000-yard rushing season. Westbrook is nursing a knee problem and has missed some practice but he'll be playing. Antonio Pierce (ankle), Gibril Wilson (knee) and James Butler (hamstring) sat out practice yesterday,
McNabb and Westbrook will get a big break if the Giants middle linebacker, two starting safeties and corner miss this game. That would be Antonio Pierce (ankle), Gibril Wilson (knee) James Butler (hamstring) and Aaron Ross (hamstring) who have all missed practice this week.

Giants Defense.
The Giants cleaned up with 12 sacks on Donovan McNabb last time to tie an NFL record, and you had to wonder why they were suddenly so effective. Was it the new defensive coordinator, Steve Spagnuolo, being so familiar with the Eagles gameplans? Was it that the players finally clicked onto his new improved defensive schemes? Was it that the Eagles were missing Brian Westbrook and left offensive tackle William Thomas? Certainly double digit sacks are not expected this week, but the answers will be more obvious by the end of this game.
The Giants run defense ranks fifth in the NFL, but things happen in division games. Last matchup with the Eagles, Brian Westbrook was out, but his backup Correll Buckhalter was able to run on the Giants for 103 yards, and he's the only running back to gain over 100 against them this season. Now Westbrook is back and whenever he's on the field the defense has to worry that if McNabb doesn't just hand off the ball, he'll find some other way to get it in Westbrook's hands. A few early screen and shuffle passes to Westbrook will keep the Giants pass rush on hold.

Mr. October, November and December.
Tom Coughlin can be considered 'Mr. October' with his 13-2 record in that month in his four years with the Giants, but Andy Reid is 'Mr. November and December' with his career record of 22-9 against NFC East opponents in those months.

Playoffs?
The Giants can clinch a wild-card spot if they beat the Eagles, and Carolina loses or ties, Detroit loses, New Orleans loses or ties, Arizona loses and Washington loses or ties, or if Minnesota loses or ties to go along with the Carolina, Detroit, New Orleans, and Arizona results.
Eagles are in danger of missing the playoffs for the second time in three years after making four consecutive appearances in the NFC championship game.

Notes.
Giants lead the league in quarterback sacks with 44.
Giants had 6 sacks last week against Chicago and 4 the week before against the Vikings.

Giants Michael Strahan has more sacks against the Eagles (21 1/2) than he has against any other team.

Giants Eli Manning has won four of his past five starts against the Eagles.

Giants are 3-3 at home this season and 5-1 on the road.

Eli Manning has thrown 7 of his 17 touchdown passes in the fourth quarter.

This will be Steve Spagnuolo's first game back in Philadelphia.
Spagnuolo was a defensive assistant for two years, defensive backfield coach for three years,
and linebackers coach for three years with the Eagles.

Eagles Brian Westbrook has at least 120 yards from scrimmage in each of his last six games against the Giants.

Eagles McNabb is 14-15 as a starter the last three seasons.
McNabb was 3-of-11 with 2 interceptions before getting hurt against winless Miami.

Eagles former running back Duce Staley will return to Lincoln Financial Field Sunday and make his retirement official during halftime.

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