• March 19, 2024

On Paper: Breaking Down Eagles-Giants

NickFoles1Quarterbacks

Nick Foles continues to make very shaky decisions with the football, and has not had a strong start to the season. Through five games, Foles has turned the ball over eight times (five picks, three fumbles) including a horrendous one in the second half that sparked the Rams’ rally last week. There have been constant throws off of the back foot, and he’s just looked awful throwing the deep ball. Watching Nick play right now, its very hard to believe that this is the same guy who threw only two interceptions a year ago. Protecting the football was one of his best and most refreshing traits when he took over Michael Vick a year ago. He’s got to get back to that style of play.

Eli Manning is in a very good groove right now. He started off the first two weeks with three touchdowns and four picks, but over the last three games he’s begun to settle in to Ben McAdoo’s system. He’s thrown eight touchdowns with just one interception (an interception that came off of a tipped ball and questionable call in the Washington game) during the team’s three game winning streak, and he’s one of the league’s hotter passers right now.

Advantage: Giants

Running Backs

LeSean McCoy showed some signs of life last week. He picked up 84 yards, and broke off a 19-yard run. However, he still just didn’t have that same explosiveness about him. Darren Sproles contributed 51 yards on seven runs, but hasn’t been much of a factor in the passing game ever since the Colts game. Sproles has just two catches for two yards in the last two games, and was held without a catch against the Rams.

The Giants will be without starter Rashad Jennings, leaving rookie Andre Williams to make his first career start. Williams is a power runner, and has picked up two scores in the last two games. The loss of Jennings is a significant one, even though Williams has looked good. Jennings was a threat as both a runner and a receiver, and his loss leaves the G-men without one of their better weapons.

Advantage: Eagles

Wide Receivers/Tight Ends

Jeremy Maclin found the endzone again last week, giving him four scores in five games. Even though the rest of the receivers have been inconsistent, teams have been able to figure out a way to shutdown Maclin or limit what he can do week to week, which speaks to how well he’s played so far. Riley Cooper finally made a significant contribution last week, coming down with a big touchdown reception, and the Eagles hope that will be enough to really wake him up and get him going. Zach Ertz had 163 yards and a touchdown through two weeks, but has been invisible ever since, with just nine catches for under 100 yards over the last three weeks. Chip Kelly has got to do a better job getting Ertz involved, he’s got so much ability and he just can’t be a non-factor for long stretches like that.

Victor Cruz has been quite as dynamic as he’s been in the past, but he’s still a guy who can stretch the field and poses a strong threat to Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher. Ruben Randle has been a solid complimentary receiver, and the Giants are just beginning to work top pick Odell Beckham into their attack. Tight end Larry Donnell leads the Giants in receptions (25) and touchdowns (4). His 6-6 body possess matchup nightmares, especially in the redzone. The Eagles will already be without Mychal Kendricks, and if DeMeco Ryans can’t go as well, look for the Giants to constantly attack Casey Matthews and Emmanuel Acho with Donnell. This is a deep receiving corp, that could give a shaky pass defense all kinds of problems.

Advantage: Giants

Offensive Line

The Eagles’ line is getting stronger, but isn’t quite there yet. David Molk and Matt Tobin should continue to settle into their roles a little more every week, but these guys just aren’t up to par with typical NFL starters. While the return of Lane Johnson did infact help out the battered line a week ago. Johnson seemed to hold his own despite having no football activity since August, and the more he plays, the stronger he’ll become.

The Giants’ offensive line was thought to be a weakness going into the year, but they’ve actually done a decent job. They’ve given up 12 sacks, but they’ve also helped New York average 4.1 yards per rush. Second-round pick Weston Richburg has taken over for Chris Snee and provided some stability, and former top pick Justin Pugh has also played well. Its a group that is improving week to week.

Advantage: Giants

Defensive Line

The Eagles’ defensive line has been pretty solid through most of the season. Fletcher Cox, Cedric Thornton, and Bennie Logan make regular contributions every week, and last week the second unit (Vinny Curry, Brandon Bair, Beau Allen) all made some very plays against the Rams. Thornton and Cox combined for three fumble recoveries a week ago (with Thornton scoring a touchdown on one), Curry came up with a strip sack, while Bair batted down a ball and Allen got a big hit in on Austin Davis.

The Giants have always been at their best when their defensive line is strong. Defensive tackle Jonathan Hankins has made a nice early impact with 2.5 sacks, while veterans Jason Pierre-Paul and Mathias Kiwanuka are still staples on this defense. Former Eagles Cullen Jenkins and Mike Patterson are still members of the team and play regular snaps for  New York.

Advantage: Eagles

Linebackers

Mychal Kendricks is out yet again with a calf injury, and DeMeco Ryans’ status looks very iffy for this week. Even if Ryans plays, he won’t be 100%. That means even more snaps for the likes of Casey Matthews and Emmanuel Acho. While Matthews has been a disaster for much of his career, he actually had a handful of very nice moments for the Eagles last week, but that’s not something I would count on carrying over to this game. Connor Barwin and Trent Cole have been doing great work in the pass rush, picking up a handful of sacks in the last two weeks. Brandon Graham has been rotated in for regular snaps, and has actually been contributing. He picked up a sack against the 49ers, and forced a fumble last week.

The Giants are also dealing with their own injury problems at this position, as one of their top defender (Jon Beason) has been battling injuries and may miss another game. Jaiquan Williams leads the team with 39 tackles, and is an athletic guy that is around the ball a lot.

Advantage: Even

Secondary

Malcolm Jenkins remains the only competent defender among the Eagles’ starters in this unit. Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher continue to be overwhelmed each week, and those struggles could continue with the depth that the New York receivers have. I refuse to believe that the Eagles would not be better off starting Brandon Boykin over one of these two. Jenkins remains that only Eagle with an interception through five games.

Prince Amukamara and former Eagle Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie have combined to make a very solid tandem. They’ve combined for three interceptions so far, and they’ve made some big plays that has really helped New York out. Antrelle Rolle is one of the team’s leaders at safety, and former Eagle Quintin Demps has emerged as Rolle’s partner with two picks of his own. The New York starters all together have combined for an impressive seven interceptions so far.

Advantage: Giants

Special Teams

The Eagles’ successes on special teams have been enormous, and the contributions of Cody Parkey, Darren Sproles, Chris Polk, and blocking units have played a huge role in getting this team to 4-1.

This is truly an elite special teams, and its an incredible asset to have on your side every week.

Advantage: Eagles

Intangibles/Projected Outcome

Through five weeks, the Eagles’ vaunted offense just hasn’t looked right. The offensive line has been battered with injuries, the running game has been invisible, and the quarterback has looked plain awful at times.

While Chip Kelly’s group has found a way to overcome slow starts and a rash of turnovers to fight their way to 4-1, its been very ugly at times. As poor as Jason Pierre Paul may be at math, the point he tried to make the other day is a very real one. The Eagles could very easily be 2-3 or even 1-4 right now.

The Eagles have been living off of big plays from their defense and special teams. Even though its worked so far, the struggles of the offense just aren’t something that a team can continue to overcome every week. With Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy struggling and making poor decisions every week, its very hard to expect them to keep winning.

The Giants are the hotter team right now. They’ve ripped off three straight, and their proving a lot of people (myself included) wrong about how far they may be able to go this year. If there’s a coach that knows how to play the no-respect card to its highest, its Tom Coughlin. I think the Giants come into this game with all the motivation they need to come out and make a statement to the league that they’re for real and should be recognized as a factor in this division and in the NFC playoff picture.

I think the Eagles’ inconsistent play really catches up with them at a bad time, and they go into the bye week with a defeat that will serve as a significant wake-up call.

Pick: Giants 27, Eagles 20

Denny Basens

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SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
October 12, 2014 7:34 pm

It has happened again….

The Cowboys built from nothing to become a better team than our Eagles.

Pathetic!

How many losers will say Foles is better than Romo now?

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 12, 2014 7:55 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

don’t worry about that, Cowboys are one back stain away from Brandon Weedon.

paulman
paulman
October 12, 2014 7:41 pm

What happened to QB Russell Wilson today at home
Vs the Cowboys… Keep him in the Pocket and he’s average..
Blueprint for Teams to follow..
Put 8 Players up at the Line of Scrimmage and the Seahawks beat you
Man to to nan on the outside..
Have outside Oass-Rushers keep containment,,
A great a Game Plan by the Cowboys today
And the Top Team in the NFC right now

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 7:57 pm
Reply to  paulman

Paul…kool and songs…both one and the same… quiet as a mouse on that topic. Now it’s all about dallas…not a word about Wilson. Feel sorry for his ankles.

eagleswinagain
eagleswinagain
October 12, 2014 7:57 pm
Reply to  paulman

Amen paulman.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Passing CP/AT YDS TD INT
R. Wilson 14/28 126 0 1

As bad as Wilson’s stats were today versus the Cowboys his play was actually worse. He threw an interception late in the 4th quarter that was ruled incomplete, but upon TV replay it was definitely a pick. The Seahawks got home cooking on that one.

Where is the Wilson blows ass comments??? I know if Foles played that bad they would be piling on at this point.

Wilson has only been good in like 2 games this year.

Furthermore, name 1 QB who has been good to great in every game this year – there aren’t any. Even A Rodgers (who I think is the best QB in the NFL) has only been great in 1-2 games and poor in 1 game and barely OK in another.

P. Manning has been great in 1 game and great a few halves of other games, but just decent to good in other games and halves.

T. Brady has been pretty bad in most games this year. Last 2 games are by far his best of the year.

D. Brees hasn’t been great in any game this year.

C. Newton has been pedestrian this year (and last year for that matter with 19 TD 12 Int last year). Despite having arguably the physical skill set of any QB maybe outside of Rodgers and maybe Kaepernick, Newton’s near brain dead football IQ and whiny diva like personality kill his chances of winning anything without a dominant defense behind him. Despite the Bengals Defense being exposed last week versus the Patriots and Dalton throwing 2 picks Newton could not been a suddenly reeling Bengals team.

Frankiy, the most consistent QB this year might be T. Romo as much as it pains me to say that. Although, I have to admit that as much as I hate the Cowboys I have never hated T. Romo since I think he has gotten a disproportionate share of the criticism in Dallas.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
October 12, 2014 8:27 pm
Reply to  eagleswinagain

Yeah.

Pretty much all of that was drivel with some very curious cherry picking of facts.

To your paint, Romo is playing well, but that has a lot to do with the play of Murray. They are finally running the ball and running well. Well actually the oline is balling out making life easier for both Murray and Romo.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 12, 2014 8:01 pm
Reply to  paulman

Russell had 2 chances to win that game in the last 3 minutes and went 5 and out then interception –

koolbreeze
koolbreeze
October 13, 2014 10:05 am
Reply to  paulman

Russell Wilson had a bad game…he can have one he has too many clutch playoff performances and a Super Bowl ring!

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 13, 2014 10:57 am
Reply to  koolbreeze

doug baldwin, his no name WR was yelling at Russell on the sideline — Russell wouldn’t throw the football to his open wide outs — he is scared to get the wideouts involved unless his is out of the pocket ( too tiny)

mhenski
mhenski
October 13, 2014 11:21 am

he shouldve been yelling at carrol for refusing to run against the worst run d in football

paulman
paulman
October 13, 2014 1:11 pm
Reply to  mhenski

The Seahawks will be interesting to watch for they are a very Young and at times, immature Team lacking in Veteran Leadership.. They will get every Teams best shot so it will be interesting to see how they handle the expectations..

Word is that OC Darrell Bevell will be the next HC of the NY Jets as he is tight with Jets GM Dave Idzik who came from the Seahawks Organization and wants him to work with Young QB Geno Smith

Seahawks will also release RB Marshawn Lynch after the 2015 Season due to his Salary and some of attitude with the Front Office Expect many Changes next Off-Season

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
October 12, 2014 8:01 pm

Dallas and Seahawks are offenses are playing better than our Eagles.

I’ll ship Foles ass out on the first thing moving to have Romo or Wilson.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 8:20 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

Songsiskoolbreeze2… that can’t happen. Deal with the reality of the situation. How is your redskins doing by the way. Still rockin that RG3 jersey? Mighty quiet about them….lol

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 12, 2014 8:21 pm

Bob Costas is completely useless on Sunday night football, I don’t get why he is there?

paulman
paulman
October 13, 2014 1:18 pm
Reply to  Denny Basens

The NFL Netwrok wrap up show last night was terrible
All Mike Irving, Deon Sanders talked about was the Cowboys Win
and very little discussion about the Eagles,Browns,Panthers Games or Teams.. Same old BS, the NFL is ruining itself with garbage analysis..

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
October 12, 2014 8:29 pm

I’ve always wondered that.

Makes no sense.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 8:29 pm

Foles must step up tonight and be sharp, the o line must step up and open holes for the running game to get Shady going. The CB’s must play tight, sound coverage. The pass rush…B Graham and Vinny Curry need to get pressure and sack! Look for Ertz to have a big game if he can get out in coverage.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
October 12, 2014 8:36 pm

Red Zone woes persist.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 8:39 pm
Reply to  tsjohnson5

Chip has got to fix that. Has been an issue toooooo long.

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
October 12, 2014 8:41 pm

He abused Jenkins.

Ouch.

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 8:43 pm

Good defensive series!

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 12, 2014 8:43 pm

Little eli sighting..ha

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 12, 2014 8:44 pm

Keep pounding his ass ..

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 12, 2014 8:48 pm

Please secure the ball…you’re pounding them ,now challenge ,hopeful they lose a time out ,but you break the momentum of the drive

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 8:51 pm

Nick looking sharp!

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 8:53 pm

There we go…tight windows. Everything I said the Eagles needed to do…they are executing!

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 12, 2014 8:58 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

McCoy and Ertz doing a dance on the sideline — Nice –
McCoy is having a great game, Coop with 2 first downs, Ertz 2 huge 3rd down catches ( one for TD ) all in the first 11 minutes of the game

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 12, 2014 9:05 pm

Connor Barwin been balling all year.

CT
CT
October 12, 2014 9:06 pm

Fletcher Cox is something special. Dude is a straight up monster.. Accept it

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 12, 2014 9:09 pm

Lol Connor Barwin again!!!!!

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 9:09 pm

Defense is ballin…..do not let up!!

tsjohnson5
tsjohnson5
October 12, 2014 9:13 pm

Hmm..this has the makings of a blow out.

eagleman
eagleman
October 12, 2014 9:19 pm

The D is ballin tonite. The O is pretty damn good too bleat go BIRDS!!!!

eagleman
eagleman
October 12, 2014 9:20 pm

LETS GO BIRDS. ^^^^

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 12, 2014 9:21 pm

touchdown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Casey, yesssssssssssssss

eagleman
eagleman
October 12, 2014 9:23 pm

It’s looking that way TSJ5

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 12, 2014 9:30 pm

I want to thank Paulman for being a Mush and overating the Giants

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 9:30 pm
Reply to  IzzellJenkins

lol

paulman
paulman
October 13, 2014 1:20 pm
Reply to  IzzellJenkins

Next Game

BYE 38 – Eagles 26 in an exciting Game
Bye has the Best Front 7 in all the NFL, bar none…

eagleman
eagleman
October 12, 2014 9:39 pm

@izzell. He’s always overrating some team or some player.

bfdaking215
bfdaking215
October 12, 2014 9:51 pm

That’s the worst int I’ve ever seen…fuck was foles thinkin

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 12, 2014 10:00 pm
Reply to  bfdaking215

dam, cost the birds at least 3 points – lets hope the birds don’t need those 3 points late in the 4th

eagleman
eagleman
October 12, 2014 9:54 pm

VINNY CURRY WIT THE SHMONEY DANCE!!!!!

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 12, 2014 10:12 pm

Milk carton alert Where’s songs? This dee at home is ballin…seen lots of football 30 more minutes guys …don’t get off there throats

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 12, 2014 10:17 pm

Eagles almost equaled Eli completions for the 1st half 5 sacks vs. only 6 completions by Manning

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 12, 2014 10:17 pm

It’s amazing how everything triggers off the run game …pound the ball ,makes everything so much easier and ,it allows guys to win one on one battles ..the only weapon missing ,is over the top ..that can be established also with the pounding of the rock and play action

eagleman
eagleman
October 12, 2014 10:21 pm

WTF

SONGSRME2
SONGSRME2
October 12, 2014 10:21 pm

Like I said before.

Nick Foles keep opposing teams in games.

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 12, 2014 10:36 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

27-0….they sure are in it…..lmao

Shut up dumbass

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 10:41 pm
Reply to  SONGSRME2

WHO wanted to trade Shady?
16 for 121

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 12, 2014 10:43 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

King of the Mush Paulman lol…

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 10:46 pm
Reply to  IzzellJenkins

Smdh…lol

DCar
DCar
October 13, 2014 12:14 am
Reply to  IzzellJenkins

Mush? BWAHAHAHAHA!!!!

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 12, 2014 10:27 pm

Shit the bed ..but didn’t cost them …now take control with a pound the rock drive

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 12, 2014 10:27 pm

Songs …you buzzard get lost

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 12, 2014 10:28 pm

doink, no salsa dancing for you

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 12, 2014 10:33 pm

McCoy ..the real McCoy …this looks like the leading rusher of last year

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 12, 2014 10:34 pm

sproles touchdown!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

eagleman
eagleman
October 12, 2014 10:36 pm

TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 12, 2014 10:37 pm

Lol at 27-0…. the chicken Littles are quiet and mad….

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 10:37 pm

FLY EAGLES FLY!!!

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 10:52 pm

Huff is a mistake waiting to happen….so is Beckham.
The hype on Beckham leading up to this game was unreal.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 12, 2014 10:57 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

huff is having a good game, he has some real nice in motion crack back blocks today springing the running game —

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 12, 2014 11:08 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

Umm that was only Paulman

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 12, 2014 10:56 pm

dam, lost Sproles to injury, huge lose

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 12, 2014 11:00 pm

Vinnie is in the stands at the linc with his stop clock app on his cell phone getting mad that the Eagles aren’t using the whole play clock

eagleman
eagleman
October 12, 2014 11:07 pm

Hey Eagle, that fumble wasn’t on Huff. It off of Spriles elbow as he was pitching it off. But he still may be a mistake waiting to happen. Lol

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 11:48 pm
Reply to  eagleman

Eagleman….that dropped pass was. I will not bitch though….we got a friggin shutout….drink up!

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 12, 2014 11:13 pm

Praying sproles is ok..he’s da man …very interesting way to go into a bye week ..heading next here to the desert..can’t wait ..I want to see this domination on defense .the upfront push was terrific for a few weeks now,so not an aberration..the O line with the exception of a leak here or there played well together ,just imagine if they hold the fort for Mathis and Kelce..it’s setting up as boys and birds ..we all now that’s like having photos of songs in drag ..it doesn’t get any better than this..

jo mama
jo mama
October 12, 2014 11:16 pm

Did the defense just pitch a perfect game?

deserteagle
deserteagle
October 12, 2014 11:20 pm

Casey Mathews C’mon down…perfect end to the emergence of lil eli..

eagleman
eagleman
October 12, 2014 11:21 pm

@jo mama. Yes they did.

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 12, 2014 11:39 pm

Dear Everyone,

We are 5-1. STFU AND ENJOY IT.

Your Philadelphia Eagles

Stevo
Stevo
October 12, 2014 11:43 pm

Blackout =shutout. Love it.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 12, 2014 11:49 pm
Reply to  Stevo

Blackout = Sackout — John Clark NBC news talking to Trent Cole post game

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 11:45 pm

Want to give kudos to players who habe been maligned and deservedly so
David Molk…Cary Williams..Bradley Fletcher and the run game. Stop turning ball over Nick….but you did pichk giants apart. Go EAGLES!!!

Eaglehaslanded
Eaglehaslanded
October 12, 2014 11:51 pm
Reply to  Eaglehaslanded

Oh…Casey Mathews had a good game too…that is two games in a row for him. I can not believe I just said that.