The final week before the bye may be the most crucial for the Eagles. Divisional games always prove to be the toughest test.
The Giants provide a huge test for the Eagles, who haven’t shown the potential they have on paper. This would be a great time to break out of their funk and show full capabilities.
There are challenges in all aspects of the game in this Sunday night showdown. Here are this week’s six keys to the game.
Get the passing game going – It’s been a struggle for Nick Foles, LeSean McCoy and others on offense this season. The Giants have the 24th-best passing defense in the NFL. There is another opportunity to use a weak secondary to get hot. With the bye week coming up, the Eagles will need a strong performance from Foles to ensure a 5-1 start.
Split backs – On the final drive of last week’s win against the Rams, running back coach Duce Staley made the call to go with Darren Sproles over McCoy. The Giants have the 10th-best run defense in the NFL, so getting the running game going looks daunting again. It only adds pressure to Foles and the passing game.
Eagles secondary vs. Giants passing offense – Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher each had nightmare games against the Rams. They will be challenged by Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle and Odell Beckham Jr. on Sunday night. Given their performance last Sunday, there isn’t much reason to be confident about stopping the Giants offense.
Special teams – The Giants have been disastrous on special teams, an area where the Eagles have thrived. The Eagles have seven return touchdowns in five games, one shy of a franchise record and three shy of an NFL record. They certainly have a chance to tie that record tonight.
Battle for First – Pending the result of the Dallas Cowboys game in Seattle, the Eagles and Giants could be battling for a three-way tie for first place in the NFC East. Through six games, the three will be tied if the Giants claim a win. But that’s what makes a win even more important for the Eagles. They could grab sole possession of first if the same scenario plays out. And a 5-1 record heading into a bye, given all the circumstances, would be amazing.
All Talk – There was a lot of words exchanged during the week between talk of no Super Bowl rings for the Eagles to the Giants inability to count past four. Trash talk only gets you so far one way or the other. Sunday night is where the action will happen. Actions will definitely speak louder than words in this case.
Kevin Durso is a contributor for Eagledelphia. Follow him on Twitter @KDursoPhilsNet.
