This game, more than any other, is the one Eagles fans have had circled on their calendars. Giants-Eagles is always guaranteed to be must-see football, and with the Giants coming off another Super Bowl championship, there's no question the Eagles have been looking forward to rudely welcoming their rivals into Lincoln Financial Field. But the anticipation and fervor for this game was multiplied exponentially when the Eagles announced that Brian Dawkins would have his number retired at halftime of the Sunday Night Football NFC East showdown. So it can be said with utmost certainty that the home crowd will be in an absolute frenzy when the Eagles and Giants face off on national television under the Lincoln Financial Field lights.
The Eagles, of course, are coming off a disappointing loss last week on the road to the Arizona Cardinals. Turnovers were a costly problem once again as the Eagles lead the league with 12 giveaways through three games. Michael Vick lost two fumbles last week, and, behind an unsettled offensive line, he's sure to be under pressure once again by the formidable Giants front four. But the Eagles also expect to regain the services of Jeremy Maclin, who missed last week's game with a hip contusion. Since last November, the Eagles are 7-0 in games in which they've had Maclin's services and are 0-3 in games which Maclin has missed. The key for the offense will be to limit the mistakes. To best explain how good the Eagles offense can be, consider the disparity between their ranks in total yardage (fifth) and points scored (tied for 31st).
Meanwhile, the Giants are on a two-game winning streak after losing the opener at home to the Dallas Cowboys. Last week, on Thursday Night Football, the Giants went down to Carolina and demolished the Panthers 36-7. What made the win all the more impressive is that the Giants were missing several key players, including starting wide receiver Hakeem Nicks and running back Ahmad Bradshaw. No worries though, as backup running back Andre Brown ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries. And unfortunately for the Eagles, with extra time in between games, the Giants will be healthy coming into Philadelphia. It all makes for what will certainly be an electric atmosphere and should be one of the most memorable games of the season. The importance of this head-to-head is all the more important considering that the two teams won't meet again until the regular season finale in Week 17.
Last Time They Met: November 20, 2011 – Eagles 17, Giants 10
Vince Young led the Eagles on an 18-play, 80-yard drive that culminated in the go-ahead 8-yard touchdown pass to Riley Cooper with just 2:45 remaining in the game to stun the Giants. On that drive, the Eagles converted six third downs. Jason Babin sealed the win with a sack and forced fumble that was recovered by Derek Landri.
| Tale Of The Tape (2012 Stats) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Giants | Eagles | |
| Record | 2-1 | 2-1 |
| Points Scored Per Game | 31.3 (T-3rd in NFL) | 15.7 (T-31) |
| Total Yards Per Game | 426.0 (3) | 416.7 (5) |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 100.3 (16) | 135.0 (8) |
| Passing Yards Per Game | 325.7 (2) | 281.7 (8) |
| Points Allowed Per Game | 21.7 (T-11) | 22.0 (T-13) |
| Total Yards Allowed Per Game | 355.7 (18) | 275.7 (5) |
| Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game | 94.0 (10) | 103.0 (16) |
| Passing Yards Allowed Per Game | 261.7 (T-22) | 172.7 (3) |
| Turnover Ratio | +4 (T-3) | -6 (T-30) |
Players To Watch
RB LeSean McCoy
The All-Pro running back has enjoyed some of his finer games against the New York Giants. LeSean McCoy has rushed for 100 yards or more in a game 10 times in his career and three of them have come against the Giants including the home contest last season. After a record-setting 2011 campaign, McCoy is among the league leaders in rushing yards with 261 and sports a hefty 4.5 yards per carry average. The Giants have allowed an average of 94.0 rushing yards per game in their first three contests.
QB Eli Manning
The reigning Super Bowl MVP is off to another blistering start in 2012 with 1,011 passing yards in just three games. In the Giants' Week 2 come-from-behind win over Tampa Bay, Eli Manning threw for a career-high 510 yards and three touchdowns. Without top receiver Hakeem Nicks against the Panthers in Week 3, Manning connected with Ramses Barden nine times for 138 yards. After throwing for a career-high 4,933 yards last season, Manning is on pace to shatter that mark in 2012.
Make sure to follow us on Twitter @EaglesInsider.
