The Philadelphia Eagles (11-1) take their No. 1 ranking to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants (7-4-1) in a clash of division rivals.
This will be a classic NFC East tilt as both teams try to tighten their clutches on playoff seeding.
Series Record: This is the 181st meeting between the teams. The Eagles lead the current series 90-88-2, including an 8-4 record against the Giants at MetLife Stadium.
Opponent Scouting Report
Offense
QB: Daniel Jones has come on well this season under new coach Brian Daboll, a rejuvenation for the former first-round pick. His ability to succeed despite all the injuries surrounding him shows the type of player Jones can be in the right system.
With 2,365 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and only four interceptions, Jones is a big reason why the Giants are in the playoff hunt with more wins already than any season since 2016. With Saquon Barkley being the main focus of the offense due to several key injuries in the passing game, the numbers Daniel Jones are able to put up are a key reason the Giants have been successful thus far in the 2022 season.
RB: Former Penn State star and No. 2 overall draft pick Saquon Barkley leads the New York Giants backfield. With the offensive line anchored by Andrew Thomas and rookie Evan Neal paving the way this season, the former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year has been energized. His 1,055 yards rank fourth in the NFL and first in the NFC. With eight touchdowns on the season, Barkley is one behind Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders, who each have nine and are tied for fifth in the NFL with Ken Walker III.
Barkley's weaponry does not stop at the run game. He is also one of the top receiving backs in the NFL. Through 12 games this season, Barkley has gained 241 yards on 40 receptions. This ability has been a great benefit to the Giants as they try to replace the production left by injuries to Sterling Shepard and Kadarius Toney before the latter was traded to the Chiefs.
WR: With Shepard out for the season and Toney traded to the Kansas City Chiefs at the deadline, the Giants are counting on Darius Slayton and 2021 free-agent acquisition Kenny Golladay.
TE: Daniel Bellinger, who has 21 receptions for 176 yards and two touchdowns, is the leading tight end on the Giants roster. Despite missing time with a broken orbital socket, Bellinger has continued to provide production for the New York Giants pass game. With the WR group struggling to both remain healthy and make plays, Bellinger has become more important to Daniel Jones.
Defense
Defensive Line: The Giants' defensive line with rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azzez Ojulari has been just short of excellent this season. Despite missing some time at the start of the 2022 season, Thibodeaux is in contention for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and has brought a massive upgrade to the New York Giants pass rush since being drafted fifth overall from Oregon.
The rest of the line with DT Leonard Williams and NT Dexter Lawrence has also been solid as the Giants will look to use this group to stop the Eagles' run game.
LB: Former Cowboy Jaylon Smith leads the linebackers group, which also consists of fifth-round rookie Micah McFadden and Tae Crowder. The group plays together well, and with the crew in front of them leading the way, this group of linebackers is a solid second level of the Giants' defense.
Secondary: With the likes of Adoree' Jackson and Fabian Moreau at the corner, and Jason Pinnock and Julian Love at safety, the Giants play a lot of subpackage coverages. Backed up by veteran Tony Jefferson, the safety position has been solid for the Giants in 2022, while the cornerbacks and nickel Darnay Holmes have attempted to lock down opposing pass games.
Key Statistics
9 – Both Jalen Hurts and Miles Sanders have rushed for nine touchdowns this season for the Eagles. Nine is also the number of touchdown receptions for A.J. Brown.
18 – The Eagles have converted on 18 of 24 fourth-down attempts.
44 – The Eagles have 44 TD while allowing only 26 to their opponents.
13 – Philadelphia has a +13 turnover margin this season.
Marquee Matchup | Eagles defensive line vs. Giants offensive line
The Eagles have sacked the opposing quarterback 42 times this season. If they want to be successful in this game, they will need to get to Daniel Jones and keep him inside the pocket. Allowing him to run will also make Saquon Barkley more dangerous, and this is what the Eagles need to avoid in this showdown.
If Philadelphia can get the upper hand on Andrew Thomas, Evan Neal, and the rest of the Giants' offensive line, it will allow Darius Slay and the secondary a chance to clamp down and add to the 15 interceptions the team already has in the 2022 season.
