Sunday (1 PM on FOX, Kickoff Show presented by Axalta at 12:15 PM) marks the Eagles' first road game since Week 5. It's also the Eagles' first game following the bye week. And it so happens that it's the first NFC East rematch of the 2020 season.
The Eagles narrowly escaped the first matchup with the New York Giants on October 22, rallying from a 21-10 deficit with 6:17 remaining to win 22-21 on Boston Scott's 18-yard touchdown reception from Carson Wentz.
The Eagles won the following week against the Dallas Cowboys to enter the bye at 3-4-1, good enough for first place in the NFC East.
The Giants lost another close game the following week to Tampa Bay (25-23) before winning their second game of the season last Sunday against Washington (23-20) to improve to 2-7 on the year.
The Eagles are getting healthier with several players back in the lineup who did not suit up for the first matchup against the Giants, among them tight end Dallas Goedert, running back Miles Sanders, and wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Jalen Reagor.
But the Giants aren't going to go away into the night quietly.
In each of their last four losses, including the one to the Eagles, the Giants were within one possession. And their two wins, both over Washington, were by a combined four points.
The Eagles look to extend their win streak against the Giants to nine games and make it four straight season sweeps. But hopefully Eagles fans got to rest during the bye week because Sunday's matchup has all of the signs of another heart-racing thriller.
Giants Players to Watch
Eagles Hall of Fame Mike Quick: "I think the tandem of Alfred Morris and Wayne Gallman. They combined for 135 of those yards (against Washington last Sunday) and that's going to be the key for me."
Eagles legend Ike Reese: "(Evan Engram) is a difficult matchup for anyone when you look at the combination of speed, athleticism, the size that he has. He's really a wide receiver who is masquerading as a tight end. Twenty-nine targets for Evan Engram over the last three games, that includes the first game against the Eagles where he had nine targets. The Eagles must pay attention to where he's at, at all times."
Scouting Report
NFL Films Senior Producer Greg Cosell on the Giants' rushing attack: "One of the things that we've seen in the last number of weeks with the New York Giants and their offense, they've developed a bit of a run game. It's not a dominant run game, but it's an important part of what they do offensively. Now, there's no question when you play the Philadelphia Eagles and that excellent defensive front, that running the ball is a bit of a challenge, but the reality for the Giants is they need to have some efficiency in their run game. One tactic they've used very, very well over the last number of weeks that has become a staple is the gap-scheme run game. That's the counter play and the power play."
Cosell on the Giants' defense: "This New York Giants defense is a little bit different from just three weeks ago. This is a defense that has some really strong staples to it, particularly when they are in their subpackages. They have multiple-front looks. They stunt a lot up front. And they're very good with disguise and late movement in the secondary. This is a foundational staple of what they do."
By the Numbers
8: The Eagles have won eight consecutive games against the Giants including the 22-21 victory on October 22 this season. The Eagles have won 12 of the previous 13 matchups to gain a slight lead in the all-time series (89-86-2).
87: Since being promoted to the active roster in Week 4, wide receiver Travis Fulgham ranks fifth in the league with 87 receiving yards per game.
7: In search of his first season with double-digit sacks, Brandon Graham is tied for fourth in the league with seven sacks in 2020. The Eagles, as a team, are third in the league with 28.
209.4: The Eagles rank fourth in the league in pass defense, allowing just 209.4 per game. The Giants rank 30th in pass offense, gaining just 192.2 yards per game.
31: The Giants rank 31st in the league in both total offense (298.2 yards per game) and points per game (18.7).
80: Giants quarterback Daniel Jones' 80-yard run in the first meeting between these two teams was the longest run by a quarterback in team history.
5: The Giants forced five turnovers last week against Washington, the team's most since a six-takeaway performance in 2014 at Washington.
37: The Giants allowed just 37 yards on the ground in the win over Washington last Sunday. It was the lowest total surrendered by a Giants defense since 30 yards in 2013 against Minnesota.
Behind Enemy Lines
Giants.com reporter and podcast host John Schmeelk returns to offer an update on what's happened with New York since these two teams last met on October 22.
Have things brightened considerably since the last time these two teams met?
A: "I think the offensive line is playing better and more consistently. But I also think Jason Garrett's done a very good job the last few games, including to a point the game against Philadelphia, in adjusting the game plan to help the offensive line.
"When (Daniel Jones) has to hold (the ball), the offensive line is still having some issues holding up in protection. But they've done a really nice job of getting the ball out of his hand quickly.
"Another point, they've run the ball a lot better. They had (166) rushing yards against Washington in their win on Sunday, which is keeping the Giants out of third-and-longs. On third-and-5 or fewer yards, they were 6-of-7 on Sunday. But on third downs of 6 or more yards, they were 0-for-7.
"I think Jason Garrett's done a great job of protecting that front and not putting the quarterback in situations where he's going to face some pressure, has to feel the pressure of making big plays which can sometimes lead to turnovers and mistakes."
How did the Giants react to losing the last matchup with the Eagles?
A: "The Giants took that poorly and it was a continuation of a trend where the Giants lost games close and late. You got to the Tampa game, close and late. The Dallas game, close and late. The Giants have had issues closing out games. They hoped they solved that puzzle a little bit against Washington this past Sunday, getting two interceptions on consecutive possessions to hold on to that win."
How does the Giants' defense match up against the Eagles after getting five takeaways in the win over Washington?
A: "This is the strength of the Giants team right now. It's their defense and I have to give the coaching staff and Defensive Coordinator Patrick Graham a lot of credit because if you look at the talent, they don't have one edge rusher that'll even crack the Eagles' rotation. And the secondary is extremely inexperienced outside of James Bradberry, Logan Ryan, and Jabrill Peppers. They don't really have the cornerbacks to cover one-on-one. Patrick Graham, who is from that Patriot lineage, I think if you injected him with truth serum, he'll tell you, 'I'd like to play a lot more man-to-man defense.'
"Well, he hasn't been stubborn. He's looked at this team and said, 'You know what, if we're gonna succeed, we have to play a lot of zone.'"
Final Injury Report
EAGLES
OUT
• CB Craig James (shoulder)
GIANTS
OUT
• RB Devonta Freeman (ankle/hamstring)
QUESTIONABLE
• WR Golden Tate (knee)
• DB Isaac Yiadom (calf)
