Giants (0-4) vs Eagles
(1-3)
Last week the Eagles suffered a 52-20
pounding by the Denver Broncos. Scores like that are becoming
almost routine in Denver as well as the losses for the Eagles,
who have now dropped 3 in a row. Both teams finished with great
offensive numbers, but the Broncos put points on the board.
The Giants lost their game in Kansas City 31-7. They hung in with
one big trick, a long touchdown pass to Victor Cruz in the first
half, but how often can you repeat the same trick? Well, in the
past the Giants used to be able to, but not these days and they
are one of the four teams left that are 0-4.
Philadelphia
Eagles.
Chip Kelly is a new head coach and he brings with him some new
ideas to the NFL. The trick is to make them work with players
left over from a 4-12 team he inherited from Andy Reid. He had
few choices in the quarterback area and Chip has placed all his
'chips' on Michael Vick.
In 2011 Vick turned the ball over 18 times, including 5 times
in the red zone. Vick was near the bottom in the rankings against
blitzes, and third down passing. Adhering to a style of play no
coach can seem to break him of, Vick was banged up badly and missed
a few games. Add in the 2012 season playing in only 10 games,
and Vick has thrown a total of 24 interceptions and fumbled 21
times.
Kelly's snazzy up tempo offense
really clicked in the first game especially in the first half
where they outscored the Redskins 26-7. The Redskins finished
that game with three straight touchdowns only to lose 33-27 to
give Kelly his first NFL win. His quick paced offense has produced
results, but there is a question as to if his own defense can
handle their dosage on the flipside. It looks good when it's working,
but In the end both teams still get their same share of possessions
and opportunities.
Eagles
offense.
Does Michael Vick have all
the tools he needs? He keys on wideout DeSean Jackson who is drawing
all the attention these days. Riley Cooper and Jason Avant are
next in the progression, but Vick doesn't seem very confident
when looking their way. Maybe Vick can't resist his natural urge
to take off or is not afforded the proper time. Chip Kelly believes
in his quarterback and feels it's more of an offensive line problem
citing the pressure he's under. Vick was sacked 3 times and forced
to scramble to keep things alive last week, taking off 8 times
for 41 yards.
Overall the running game has been the Eagles best suit. It's ranked
first in the league as they have averaged nearly 200 yards a game,
and Vick has contributed heavily in that area. Running back LeSean
McCoy is averaging 6 yards a carry. Vick is averaging 8.8 and
both have 2 rushing touchdowns. Last week
McCoy rushed for 73 yards on 16 carries, but was off the field
for long stretches coping with the thin air at the stadium in
Denver. Even with that, McCoy leads everyone the NFL with 468
rushing yards.
Eagles defense.
They're still a work in progress
trying to shift from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme. Aside from that learning
experience, the defense has to deal with spending a lot more time
on the field and with less rest since their hi-rev offense gets
things done fast. You need the right mix of youth and talent to
handle that. So far they have 10 sacks through four games, and
have given up more passing yards than all but one team in the
league.
Opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 107.2 against this
defense, with 9 touchdown passes and only 2 interceptions. They
are only slightly better defending against the run and rank next
to last in the league by giving up 34.5 points a game. Last year
they gave up more touchdown passes (32) than any other team in
the league despite seeing fewer passing attempts than all but
one team. The secondary was
marked for improvement, but as of now is still a big question
mark. Defensive coordinator Bill Davis insists things will get
better and he is hoping that starts this week against the Giants.
Giants offense.
Eli Manning's completion percentage
has gone down every game since the season started. Last week the
Giants tried to scheme around an offensive line that's not up
to the usual tasks. They managed one big play that got them 7
points in the first half, but that was it for the game. So far
Victor Cruz is the biggest weapon for the Giants. Even with teams
keying on him, Cruz has 26 receptions for 425 yards and 4 touchdowns.
Manning has thrown only 6 touchdowns this season.
Running back Da'Rel Scott has not
impressed and was waived after making his first career start against
the Chiefs last week. The roster spot was used for offensive lineman
Dallas Reynolds who started 14 games at center last season for
the Eagles when he came off the practice squad to replace an injured
Jason Kelce. That leaves David Wilson, a re-indoctrinated Brandon
Jacobs and, a not really ready for primetime seventh-round rookie,
Mike Cox to run the ball. Once again there will be an offensive
line shuffle as center David Baas is out and Chris Snee has been
placed on injured reserve. David Diehl is back now and he would
replace Snee. If the Giants offensive line can get it going for
Manning, he can take advantage of a weak Eagles secondary.
Giants defense.
The two worst defenses in the
NFL will meet up at MetLife Stadium. They both share one similar
problem. They spend a lot of time on the playing field and that
leads to giving up points. The Eagles (34.5 points a game) because
they choose to have their offense off the field fast, and the
Giants (36.5 points a game) because their offense can't manage
to stay on the field.
This week they're up against a a new style of offense with a quick
footed quarterback and running back who also is a passing threat.
They'll be working with two cornerbacks, Aaron Ross (back) and
Jayron Hosley (hamstring) out and with Corey Webster (groin) and
defensive tackle Cullen Jenkins listed as doubtful. Jenkins, who
played with the Eagles last year, is a good run stopper so it
would be great if he could play.
The Giants have had time to watch game film and study up. Linebacker
Spencer Paysinger played on Chip Kelly's team in college and they
just picked up offensive lineman Dallas Reynolds who played last
year for the Eagles. Maybe they'll turn up some gems of knowledgeable
tidbits. Who knows? We're not
even going to bother to mention this week that a good pass rush
would help.
Overall
Last time they played the Giants beat the Eagles 42-7 in the final
game of the 2012 season. The Eagle players knew back then that
change was in the wind and you can expect to see a whole lot better
effort in this matchup. Chip Kelly is getting a bit impatient
with his win loss record and didn't like the way his team played
last week while taking their 52-20 Bronco beatdown.
For the Giants, it's not encouraging to see Tom Coughlin start
the week by showing off a chart of division standings for his
players to study instead of Xs and Os. Going 0-4 can make them
feel like hopeless losers, but not so in the NFC East which has
a combined 4-12 record. 'You see guys, just inch ahead of those
other loser teams in the division and bam you're in the playoffs'
(for maybe one game). Anyway both these teams will start off with
an "I think I can' attitude having looked over the low level
of opposition they will face. The Eagles have the slim bragging
rights here since they have their one win and like the Cowboys
are 1-0 in the division.
NFC East
The Giants play in the early 1:00pm
Sunday game at MetLife Stadium against the Eagles. The Giants are
favored to win. Later in the day the Cowboys (2-2) host the unbeaten
powerhouse Broncos (4-0). The Broncos are favored to win. The Redskins
don't play this week. The best outcome for these games for Giants
fans is the Cowboys at 2-3 with a loss, and a Giants win to have
them tied at one game out. The Giants and Eagles would be 1-4 and
these three teams would have 1 division win and the Redskins none.
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TeamGiants on Twitter.Notes.
Giants have scored the least
amount of points and given up the most in the NFC East.
Giants have lost four games in a
row.
Eagles have lost three games in
a row.
Eagles, including postseason, have
won 8 of the last 10 games against the Giants.
Eagles allowed two special teams
touchdowns last week.
Eagles Michael Vick threw a career-best
428 yards, 2 TDs and ran for one in game 2
against San Diego.
Eagles Michael Vick's 61-yard run
in game 3 against Kansas City was the longest of his career.
Eagles are the first team in NFL
history to accumulate at least 1,000 yards passing and 750 yards
rushing through the first four games of a season.
Next Games
Oct 10 - Giants at Chicago.
Giants Tickets - Buy
or Sell
Oct 21 - Minnesota
at Giants.
Giants Tickets - Buy
or Sell
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