It's very simple for the Eagles defense this week, catch the football when you get the chance. I've never seen a defense drop so many easy interceptions. Everybody knows Eli Manning will throw interceptions, but will the Eagles catch them.
The Birds will get plenty of chances to pick off passes if they can stop the Giants running game. That won't be an easy thing to do because New York''s offensive line has consistently opened up holes for their running backs, regardless of which one was playing. Brandon Jacobs is trying to get healthy enough to play against the Eagles but he struggled during the Giants Wednesday practice. If Jacobs can't go, the Eagles will likely face Reuben Droughns, who has played well when given the opportunity.
The front seven is going to have to do the job against the run because the Birds may not be to afford moving a safety up into the box, and leave 6'4" Plaxico Burress in position to catch the ball over the Eagles smaller cornerbacks.
The big challenge for the Birds will be Jeremy Shockey at the tight end position. The Giants will test Chris Gocong, who has proven he can both run with tight ends and beat up on them as well. I could see New York testing J.R. Reed's cover skills. He's shown he can come up and knock the snot out of receivers, but he has proven he can run and change directions with them. The Giants know a little about Reed because he tried out for them during the summer.
I want to see the Birds get a pass rush on Manning from their front four without depending on blitzing.
