Familiarity Breeds Contempt
Or at least it should. The Giants and Eagles will face each other this Sunday for the third time this season. The Giants know the Eagles and the Eagles Know the Giants. They split the two regular season games with the road team winning both games. The Eagles were the only team to beat the Giants at home this season. I think the running game (especially Brian Westbrook) will decide the winner.
When the Giants beat the Eagles in Week 10, Westbrook had a dismal game, running for just 26 yards. The Giants won a shootout 36-31, where Donovan McNabb picked up the slack for Westbrook, throwing for 194 yards and 3 TD's. In the second game, played in Week 14, Westbrook had a superb game. He ran for 131 yards and a score. He also caught 6 balls for 72 yards and a score. So are we to surmise that if you stop the running game, you have a chance to win? Maybe.
Brandon Jacobs ran for 126 yards and 2 touchdowns in the Giants win, and in the loss, he had just 52 yards and no scores. So the team who stops the other's running game has a fighting chance. One thing is for certain: The Giants miss Plaxico Burress. You cannot replace a 6 foot 5 guy who is a play-maker. Those guys don't come along all that often. Steve Smith and Dominik Hixon are good, but is it a coincidence that the Giants lost 3 of 5 games since Burress' accidental shooting? I think not.
The Giants are rested and they are home. Two pluses in their favor. But the Eagles are red hot and not scared of the defending Super Bowl Champs. You didn't ask for a prediction, but I'm giving one. The game will be a close one and not a high scoring one. I say Giants 23 Eagles 20. Cheesesteaks on me if I'm wrong.
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Comments: 3
While I like cheesesteaks, Chris, I am with you. The Giants might be playing one of their most competitive opponents first but I think they can pull it out. As much as the running game is a factor, the defenses have a lot of pressure on their shoulders. The talk already is about stepping it up from the last time these teams faced off. One thing is for sure. The Giants have to come out and crush early...then let things fall into place. You allow McNabb and Westbrook to do their thing and there could be trouble. Right now they have the momentum and I think that speaks volumes.
forget cheesesteaks. make it a buffalo chicken sandwich with wedges.
forget cheesesteaks. make it a buffalo chicken sandwich with wedges. and blue cheese.