It's a gameday edition of 5 Things To Know Today and we get you ready for this Giants-Eagles matchup with our broadcast schedule, some of the key matchups and injury situations to watch as well as ways to connect with fellow Eagles fans and save a different type of green if you need last-minute items for your tailgate ...
1. TODAY'S BROADCAST SCHEDULE
Our coverage on PhiladelphiaEagles.com begins at 11 a.m. as we air our three Eagles Television Network shows (Inside the Season, Unscripted and Game Plan). At 12:30 p.m., we're live from the NovaCare Complex and from Lincoln Financial Field with the Kickoff Show as the Eagles get ready to play the Giants. We're live from Lincoln Financial Field for our Halftime Report, and then Dave Spadaro, Adam Caplan and Jeremiah Trotter are live for our Post-Game Show, presented by Ricoh, that begins immediately after the contest.
Today's Broadcast Schedule | |
---|---|
Time | Event |
11 AM | Eagles Television Network shows (Game Plan, Inside The Season, Unscripted) |
12:30 PM | Kickoff Show – Live from the NovaCare Complex and Lincoln Financial Field with Chris McPherson and Bo Wulf |
2:15 PM (Approx.) | Halftime Report – Live from Lincoln Financial Field |
4 PM (Approx.) | Post-Game Show, presented by Ricoh – Complete coverage from Lincoln Financial Field with live press conferences, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and highlights from the Eagles-Giants game. |
2. FANS CONNECTING WITH FANS
Fans can email gameday photos to pix@philadelphiaeagles.com. These photos will be shared with Eagles fans everywhere and can be viewed on our gameday page as well as PhiladelphiaEagles.com/virtuallinc. Fans can follow the #NYGvsPHI action on PhiladelphiaEagles.com/social, which features all of your favorite social media platforms. Twitter has real-time team updates, Instagram has behind-the-scenes photos and Facebook is a great place to interact directly with other fans.
3. WHAT ARE THE KEY INJURY SITUATIONS TO MONITOR?
Some of the big injury questions have been answered over the past 48 hours.
Quarterback Michael Vick was deemed probable for the game on Friday, which by definition means "virtual certainty will be available for normal duty." Vick missed the previous two games after suffering a hamstring injury in the first meeting with the Giants.
For the Giants, two key players reportedly did not make the trip with the team - defensive tackle Shaun Rogers (knee) and cornerback Jayron Hosley (hamstring) - after being listed as doubtful on Friday.
There are still some injury situations to keep an eye on before the inactives are released at 11:30 a.m.
Safety Patrick Chung is questionable with the shoulder injury which has kept him on the sidelines since the Chiefs game. Chung played briefly in the Tampa Bay game before deeming the shoulder was not good enough to go.
Defensive end Cedric Thornton was also questionable with a knee injury, but there has been no indication that he will miss today's game.
The Giants, meanwhile, are already without starting running back David Wilson due to a neck injury. Backup Brandon Jacobs is also likely to be out with a hamstring injury after not practicing all week. Jacobs was listed as doubtful on the injury report. Peyton Hillis will start if Jacobs is unable to play.
4. BATTLES ON THE OUTSIDE ARE THE ONES TO WATCH
Here is a look at the key matchups which will go a long way in determining who comes out on top in this NFC East showdown ...
Eagles interior OL vs. Giants interior DL
The "nut stunts" that the Giants interior defensive linemen ran against the Eagles gave the interior offensive line, particularly Jason Kelce, fits and allowed defensive tackles – Mike Patterson, Cullen Jenkins, Johnathan Hankins and Shaun Rogers – to get into the backfield and disrupt the run with regularity. After the game, Kelce said it was a matter of making adjustments and, if necessary, calling in the backside guard to help block. The Giants figure to run similar stunts again, and Kelce, Todd Herremans and Evan Mathis will have to be up to the task. If the line can hold up, the rest of the offense will follow.
WR DeSean Jackson vs. CB Prince Amukamara
In the Eagles' 36-21 victory over the Giants on October 6, Jackson caught seven passes for 132 touchdowns, including the final touchdown on a gorgeous double move against Amukamara. Amukamara has played in every game this season and, with Corey Webster just returning from injury, should get the call again to match up on Jackson. After a quiet performance against the Cowboys, the Eagles will be looking for any and every way to get Jackson involved.
CB Brandon Boykin vs. WR Victor Cruz
Cruz, a notorious Eagles killer to this point in his career, caught just five passes for 48 yards during the October 6 Eagles-Giants matchup. While Boykin was covering him, however, he caught zero passes. It was a magnificent showing by the second-year cornerback, who also registered a spectacular fourth-quarter interception when he ripped the ball out of Cruz's hands while on the ground. Sunday will mark the rematch between these two in what promises to be a fierce battle.
CB Bradley Fletcher vs. WR Hakeem Nicks
Nicks has been hampered by injuries but found his old form against the Eagles on October 6, leading the Giants with nine catches for 142 yards. Fletcher often drew the assignment of covering Nicks and, despite the wide receiver's totals, Fletcher stood up physically and knocked away a number of passes, including a few deep. In fact, Fletcher broke up five passes on the day and ranks second in the NFL with 11 pass breakups on the season. He figures to once again match up with Nicks, who built on his strong performance against the Eagles with four catches for 80 yards against the Bears and is averaging 17.4 yards per reception for the season.
5. STYLE LOUNGE IS OPEN FOR THOSE ATTENDING THE GAME!
Make sure to check out the Eagles Style Lounge in the Head House Plaza today through 5 p.m. It's been a big hit with the ladies this weekend, and should be a winner again on game day!