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Game Preview: Giants vs. Eagles 

Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is expected to get plenty of time on defense against the Giants.
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. is expected to get plenty of time on defense against the Giants.

A fantastic 2024 regular season concludes on Sunday with a 1 PM kickoff against the New York Giants at Lincoln Financial Field and for those Eagles playing the game, and for the coaches coaching the game, it means a lot.

Players who have worked so hard throughout this season have their chance to get some game repetitions, put into action everything they've practiced all year to show, and hope that the performance impresses the Eagles – and any of the other 31 teams who will no doubt pore through the tape.

So, what is there to preview here? Well, what do you think you're about to witness? Here is the final game preview of the regular season as the Eagles vie for a franchise-record 14th victory of the regular season with the playoffs next in sight ...

1. At quarterback, Tanner McKee

In his NFL regular-season debut last week, McKee replaced Kenny Pickett and completed 3 of 4 passes for 54 yards and two touchdowns and he looked poised and confident in the pocket running the offense. A sixth-round draft pick in 2023, McKee has played well in his two preseasons, and now he's going to get an extended look at the position in a regular-season game against a Giants defense that figures to play its starters. This is a prime chance for McKee to show what he has learned in two seasons here, how he functions in the offense, his leadership, and how quickly he gains chemistry with a supporting cast of largely reserve players.

The Eagles want to see how McKee reacts to the looks the Giants show him. They want to see him handle challenges. They want to see him think through tough situations and deliver solutions. They want to see him run Kellen Moore's offense and put points on the scoreboard.

For McKee, everything matters in this game. How he gets in and out of the huddle. How he manages his time. How he communicates his calls and his audibles and anything he sees at the line of scrimmage.

2. Who else plays on offense?

The lineup is one the Eagles have worked with the entire week and it will resemble a bit of a mix of players like Ainias Smith and Johnny Wilson at wide receiver. Jahan Dotson? Certainly could happen. Fred Johnson at left tackle. Tyler Steen at one guard position. Jack Driscoll on the line of scrimmage. Maybe rookie Trevor Keegan, a sixth-round draft pick who hasn't played all season at one guard spot. Darian Kinnard played every snap in the preseason and has played in three offensive snaps and seven special teams snaps (all against the Bengals) in the regular season. He could be in for a lot of work on Sunday. You get the idea. Running back? If Will Shipley is cleared to play after suffering a concussion against Washington (he practiced in full on Friday and is listed as questionable), he would love to get some action. E.J. Jenkins at tight end.

The Eagles are permitted to elevate two players from the practice squad, and they will likely do that on Saturday. They have been down this road before and know how to populate the gameday roster for Sundays like this.

3. Who should we keep an eye on when the Eagles' defense is on the field?

For a young player like cornerback Eli Ricks, this game is a big one. He was part of the cornerback rotation late in the 2023 season and has been a deeper reserve this year. Sunday means a lot to Ricks. Same with the likes of tackle Thomas Booker, who made the team with a strong preseason. He has contributed throughout the year and could be in line for a lot of playing time here. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, Jr. could have significant playing time in his scope on Sunday, something he would love. Charles Harris, a veteran defensive end who spent some time on the active roster after being claimed off of waivers from Carolina, is back on the practice squad and could be one of the promotions on Sunday.

The point is this: For every player who steps on the field on Sunday, this game means everything. And for the coaches who worked so hard to develop these players all season, same thing. It is an important step in the career paths for the players, and that's what this game means.

Saquon Barkley may not have known about the hat and T-shirt game prior to Sunday's NFC East-clinching triumph over the Dallas Cowboys. Well, now he does. Go inside the winning locker room at Lincoln Financial Field.

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