The moment the NFL has been waiting for since the trade occurred is finally upon us. This Week 7 matchup between rivals the Eagles and Giants has a little extra flavor. Saquon Barkley has said that he does not expect to be booed, but sometimes a New York (it's Jersey) environment can get highly hostile.
This matchup is set to be a classic NFC East rivalry clash at MetLife Stadium. Both teams are navigating a rollercoaster season, with the Eagles at 3-2 and the Giants at 2-4. Philadelphia will look to maintain its position near the division's top, while the Giants aim to bounce back from recent struggles.
Philadelphia, led by quarterback Jalen Hurts, has leaned on a balanced offensive attack. Hurts has accumulated over 1,100 passing yards and six touchdowns so far this season. Their rushing game, spearheaded by former Giant Saquon Barkley, has also been productive, averaging 146.2 rushing yards per game, one of the top marks in the league.
Game Info
Date: Sunday, October 20, 2024
Start Time: 1:00 PM ET
Location: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Stadium: Lincoln Financial Field
TV Info: FOX (Joe Davis and Greg Olsen on the call)
Giants Uniform Info: White tops, blue pants
This NFC East rivalry game is set to be a hard-hitting affair. The Giants look to make a statement against the defending NFC Champion Eagles. Both teams are expected to showcase their top talent as they enter a crucial stretch of the season.
Philadelphia Eagles Statistical Rankings through Week 7 of the 2024 NFL season:
Points Per Game: 21.2 (18th)
Points Allowed Per Game: 22.4 (20th)
Offensive Yards Per Game: 366.8 Yards (10th)
Passing/Rushing Yards Per Game: 239.8 Passing (16th) and 146.2 Rushing (6th)
Defensive Yards Allowed Per Game: 341.4 Yards (20th)
Passing/Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game: 228.8 Passing (24th) and 112.6 Rushing (13th)
Red Zone Offensive/Defensive Conversion Rate: 61.5% (13th) and 57.1% (22nd)
Injury Report
Eagles: TE Dallas Goedert, LT Jordan Maillata, DT Byron Young
Giants: LT Andrew Thomas, CB Adoree' Jackson, P Jamie Gillan
Philadelphia Eagles
Defense
The Philadelphia Eagles' defense has shown both dominance and areas for improvement. The defensive line continues to be the heart of the team’s defense, mainly due to the stellar performances of second-year defensive tackle Jalen Carter and the continued progression of Jordan Davis. This duo has been crucial in shutting down the run game, making the Eagles one of the toughest teams to run against. Carter, in particular, has been a force with his ability to penetrate the line and disrupt plays, proving himself a key figure in the Eagles’ front seven.
On the edge, Josh Sweat and veteran Brandon Graham continue to apply pressure, while rookie Nolan Smith has flashed potential. However, while the pass rush has been effective at times, it hasn't always been consistent, mainly when opponents quickly get the ball out. Adding depth or a midseason pass rusher has been discussed as an area of potential improvement. The Eagles have been exploring options to reinforce their edge defenders to maintain a more consistent pass rush in crucial moments of games.
However, one of the defense's weak points has been the secondary. Injuries to key players like Avonte Maddox and inconsistent play from cornerbacks like Cooper DeJean have left the pass defense vulnerable. Philadelphia ranks in the bottom half of the league in passing yards allowed per game, with their secondary often being targeted by opposing quarterbacks. While veteran Darius Slay remains solid, the cornerback group has struggled to hold up against top-tier wide receivers, putting additional pressure on the pass rush to compensate.
Linebacker play has seen an uptick with Nakobe Dean and Zack Baun. Dean has become a steady presence in the middle, and the addition of Zack Baun has added some versatility, though there are still questions about the unit’s ability to cover elite tight ends and running backs in space. Overall, the Eagles' linebackers have decent run support but can be a liability in pass coverage.
The Eagles are running a blend of Vic Fangio’s zone-heavy defensive system, focusing on limiting big plays and forcing offenses to march down the field slowly. The Eagles' defense excels in red-zone situations, often bending but not breaking, which has helped keep them in close games. However, the bend-but-don’t-break strategy has occasionally led to long drives and a fatigued defense late in games.
Ultimately, the Eagles’ defense remains one of the more formidable units in the league, especially against the run. However, they’ll need to tighten up the secondary and find more consistency in their pass rush to maintain their status as a top contender in the NFC. With a few tweaks and possibly some key acquisitions, Philadelphia could turn their defense into an elite unit by the time the playoffs arrive.
The key to victory may lie in forcing turnovers. The Giants’ offensive line has been inconsistent, and Jones has thrown five interceptions this season. The Eagles' opportunistic secondary, led by safety Reed Blankenship, who already has two interceptions, will look to capitalize on Jones' mistakes. However, the Eagles' secondary has been vulnerable to big plays, ranking in the league's bottom half in passing yards allowed. To mitigate this, they must avoid blown coverages, especially if they want to contain rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who has been Jones’ go-to target.
Offense
The Eagles' offense has been a mixed bag, showing moments of brilliance while struggling with consistency. Despite their 3-2 record, the offense has yet to fully hit its stride, particularly in the early stages of games. They’ve gone five consecutive games without scoring in the first quarter, a worrying trend that has contributed to their slow starts.
Jalen Hurts, who remains the offense's focal point, has shown flashes of his dynamic playmaking ability, particularly in his connection with star wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. This duo has provided a spark, especially in Week 6, when they combined for significant yardage in a narrow win over the Cleveland Browns. However, Hurts and the rest of the offense have struggled to find a rhythm, often stalling drives due to penalties or inefficiencies.
The Eagles' ground game, led by Saquon Barkley, has been solid but not overwhelming. Barkley, while effective, hasn’t been able to dominate games as consistently as hoped. The offensive line, though still strong with key figures like Lane Johnson, has had trouble maintaining consistency, partly due to injuries, which has impacted both the running game and pass protection.
The biggest issues have been turnovers and poor execution in key moments. Hurts has been prone to turnovers, including untimely interceptions, which have halted the Eagles' momentum in crucial spots. This lack of ball security has been one of the main reasons the offense has failed to establish itself as one of the league's elite.
Despite these issues, the potential is there. A.J. Brown has emerged as a game-changer, frequently making big plays down the field. The hope for the Eagles is that as the season progresses, the offense will start to mesh more effectively and reduce these mistakes. The upcoming divisional matchups, beginning with the Giants, present an excellent opportunity to iron out these kinks and gain confidence.
The Eagles' coaching staff, led by Nick Sirianni, is also under some scrutiny. The play-calling has been questioned at times for being too predictable, especially in short-yardage situations. The new offensive coordinator, Kellen Moore, has yet to unlock the full potential of this talented group, but the team remains optimistic that the offense can find its groove and become a more consistent threat.
New York Giants
Defense
The New York Giants' defense has been a significant highlight of their 2024 season, showing remarkable improvements and solidifying itself as one of the most effective units in the NFL. Through the first half of the season, they’ve become a force to be reckoned with, ranking among the league leaders in various key defensive categories. Most notably, they lead the NFL in sacks, having recorded 26 through their first six games. This aggressive pass rush has consistently disrupted opposing quarterbacks, making it difficult for teams to establish a rhythm in the passing game.
Azeez Ojulari has been a standout performer for the Giants' defense. With three sacks to his name, he has proven himself to be a cornerstone of their pass rush, applying constant pressure off the edge. His performance has been complemented by the defensive line's dominance, which has achieved the highest disruption rate in the NFL at 24.37%. This means the Giants' defensive front is excelling at collapsing the pocket, batting down passes, and forcing hurried decisions by quarterbacks, leading to turnovers and incomplete plays.
Dexter Lawrence is making another case for an All-Pro caliber year, and when healthy, Kayvon Thibodeaux has also been a factor. Another key factor to the Giants' defensive success has been their ability to limit opponents’ scoring opportunities. Ranking 10th in the league for points allowed, the Giants have been particularly effective at tightening up when opponents enter the red zone. By forcing field goals instead of touchdowns, they’ve kept games within reach and given their offense the chance to compete even when facing potent offensive teams.
The New York Giants' defense should employ a multifaceted strategy to slow down the Philadelphia Eagles' offense. First, they need to contain running back Saquon Barkley, who has been pivotal for the Eagles this season. Despite a quieter performance in his last game, Barkley ranks third in the NFL for rushing yards per game, and the Giants' run defense has struggled, allowing 5.2 yards per carry.
Second, the Giants must address the Eagles' potent passing attack, particularly wide receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. Implementing complex coverages and double-team schemes can help limit their impact.
Additionally, with the Eagles' offensive line weakened due to injuries, notably the absence of left tackle Jordan Mailata, the Giants have an opportunity to exploit this vulnerability through a disciplined and aggressive pass rush
By focusing on these areas, the Giants can disrupt the Eagles' offensive rhythm and enhance their chances of success in the upcoming matchup.
Offense
The New York Giants offense has faced significant challenges during the 2024 NFL season, mainly due to injuries along the offensive line. The loss of starting left tackle Andrew Thomas to a season-ending foot injury has been a major setback. To address this, the Giants are considering various adjustments, such as shifting right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor to left tackle and moving Evan Neal to right tackle.
In addition to offensive line issues, the Giants have dealt with injuries to key skill position players. Running back Devin Singletary and wide receiver Malik Nabers have both missed time but are expected to return soon, with Nabers adopting enhanced safety measures following a concussion.
Despite these obstacles, the Giants have shown resilience and determination. Their offense has accumulated 1,884 yards, maintaining a balanced approach between rushing and passing. However, consistency remains an issue, as reflected in their 2-4 record and ranking 27th in points scored per game.
In their upcoming matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles, the Giants offense can implement several strategies to enhance their chances of success:
First, stabilizing the offensive line is crucial. With Andrew Thomas out, the reconfigured line must develop cohesion quickly. Effective communication and precise assignment execution will be vital to counteract the Eagles' pass rush.
Second, establishing a strong running game can help control the clock and create manageable down-and-distance scenarios. This approach keeps the Eagles' offense off the field and opens up play-action opportunities for the Giants.
Lastly, protecting the quarterback is paramount. Given the Eagles' aggressive defensive schemes, implementing quick-release passing plays and utilizing running backs in pass protection can help neutralize the Eagles' pass rush.
By focusing on these areas, the Giants can enhance their offensive performance and increase their chances of securing a victory against the Eagles.
Betting Info
Point Spread: New York Giants +3 (-102) | Philadelphia Eagles -3 (-120)
Moneyline: New York Giants +150 | Philadelphia Eagles -178
Over/Under: Over 43.5 (-104) | Under 43.5 (-118)
Lines via Fanduel as of October 19. 2024
Best Plays
Saquon Barkley Anytime Touchdown (-155)
A.J. Brown +60 Receiving Yards (-200)
Malik Nabers 6 Receptions (-210)
Brian Burns to record a Sack (-108)
Prediction
Both teams have experienced uneven starts to the season, with the Giants holding a 2-4 record and the Eagles at 3-2. Injuries have impacted both sides; notably, the Giants will be without left tackle Andrew Thomas for the season, while the Eagles are expected to miss left tackle Jordan Mailata and tight end Dallas Goedert due to hamstring injuries
Given these factors, the Eagles are favored to win. However, the Giants have the potential to keep the game close, especially if they can effectively address their offensive line challenges, capitalize on the Eagles' defensive vulnerabilities, and keep Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown in check. The outcome may hinge on which team better manages its injury setbacks and executes its game plan.
Final Score Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles 24, New York Giants 17.
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