Eagles-Giants: Week 9 Preview

By Kevin Durso, Sports Talk Philly editor 

The Eagles have sandwiched a win against Minnesota in between three losses, two to divisional opponents. They face the third and final NFC East foe for the first time this season in Week 9.

The annual trip to MetLife Stadium takes place a little earlier this year, as the Eagles look to right the ship against the NFC East against the New York Giants.

Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Quarterbacks

New York Giants (4-3) Philadelphia Eagles (4-3)
10 Eli Manning 11 Carson Wentz
Stats: 1,984 YD, 8 TD, 6 INT Stats: 1,526 YD, 9 TD, 3 INT

It's been an up-and-down year for Eli Manning. He started off with a three-touchdown performance in Dallas, but then threw for just two touchdowns in the next four games. He bounced back with a strong game against Baltimore, but had his lowest passing yardage of the season last week against Los Angeles. He has a passer rating of just 87.3 this season.

Carson Wentz bounced back with a solid game in Dallas, but only added one touchdown through the air. The Eagles can't seem to get the passing game into a rhythm when it comes to scoring, something that Wentz will look to lead as the signal-caller.

Running Backs

New York Giants (4-3) Philadelphia Eagles (4-3)
23 Rashad Jennings 24 Ryan Mathews
Stats: 53 Att, 142 YD, 1 TD Stats: 71 Att, 272 YD, 3 TD

The Giants running game took a hit with Shane Vereen hitting injured reserve earlier this season. With that, Rashad Jennings has been the lead, but is averaging just 2.7 yards per carry.

Ryan Mathews essentially got a week off, getting just four carries in Dallas as the Eagles opted to use Darren Sproles for a majority of the game. He remains the Eagles leading rusher, but it's starting to get closer to Sproles carrying the running game too.

Wide Receivers

New York Giants (4-3) Philadelphia Eagles (4-3)
13 Odell Beckham Jr. Stats: 40 Rec, 630 YD, 3 TD 81 Jordan Matthews Stats: 36 Rec, 419 YD, 3 TD
87 Sterling Shepard Stats: 31 Rec, 334 YD, 2 TD 17 Nelson Agholor Stats: 21 Rec, 216 YD, 1 TD

The Giants have plenty of weapons at receiver, headlined by veteran Odell Beckham Jr. — who is well on his way to another 1,000-yard season — and rookie Sterling Shepard, who as the second-highest receiver on the team is within 100 yards of the Eagles best at receiver.

Jordan Matthews made nine catches and scored a touchdown in last week's game. The rest of the receiving crew remained average at best. The Eagles are still looking for Nelson Agholor or Dorial Green-Beckham to emerge and now they go into the game without Josh Huff, released earlier this week.

Defense

New York Giants (4-3) Philadelphia Eagles (4-3)
21 Landon Collins Stats: 57 Tackles, 2.0 Sacks, 2 INT 23 Rodney McLeod Stats: 49 Tackles, 3 INT, 1 FF
52 Jonathan Casillas Stats: 56 Tackles 53 Nigel Bradham Stats: 43 Tackles, 1 INT, 1 FR
98 Damon Harrison Stats: 35 Tackles, 1.0 Sacks 55 Brandon Graham Stats: 25 Tackles, 4.0 Sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR

The Giants defense ranks right around the middle of the pack in both passing yards allowed (15th) and rushing yards allowed (8th). Landon Collins and Jonathan Casillas have been the most active.

The Eagles defense was on its way to a solid performance when they allowed the Cowboys to get back into the game and eventually overtake them on an easy overtime touchdown drive. 

Player to Watch

New York Giants (4-3) Philadelphia Eagles (4-3)
87 Sterling Shepard 11 Carson Wentz
Stats: 31 Rec, 334 YD, 2 TD Stats: 1,526 YD, 9 TD, 3 INT 

While all eyes will be on OBJ, the rookie receiver is certainly making a name for himself in the Giants offense. If the Eagles are able to contain the Pro Bowler Beckham, look for Eli Manning to target Shepard quite a bit.

The Eagles have been in position to win each of the three games they have lost this season, but last week's falls on the offense as a whole. Down the stretch, they could not get anything going, and the Eagles will need to rally around Wentz to get the offense back on track at the Meadowlands.

Injury Report

New York Giants (4-3)

Philadelphia Eagles (4-3)

FS Darian Thompson

Foot

Out

DT Bennie Logan

Groin

Out

DE Kerry Wynn

Concussion

Out

LB Kamu Grugier-Hill

Hamstring

Out

S Nat Berhe

Concussion

Questionable

DT Taylor Hart Ankle Out

QB Ryan Nassib

Elbow

Questionable

OL Allen Barbre Hamstring Out

T Marshall Newhouse

Calf

Questionable

     

RB Bobby Rainey

Calf

Questionable      

Game Notes

  • Since 2008, the Eagles have a 13-4 record against the Giants including wins in five of the last six meetings.
  • Since it opened in 2010, the Eagles have also gone 5-1 at MetLife Stadium.
  • The Eagles rank 10th in points per game and are outscoring opponents by an overall total of 57 points in the second half of games. 

Where to Watch

TV: FOX (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews)
Radio: 94 Sportsradio WIP (Merrill Reese, Mike Quick, Howard Eskin)

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