The New York Giants (9-6-1) head into Philadelphia already having locked up a playoff berth and the No. 6 seed in the NFC. With nothing to play for, it will be difficult to determine who the Giants may start and who they might sit in this game. For the Philadelphia Eagles (13-3), this is an important game. With a victory, the Eagles will lock up the NFC's No. 1 seed.
Series Record: This will be the 182nd edition of this rivalry. The current record between the two teams favors the Philadelphia Eagles, who have a record of 91-88-2 against New York.
Opponent Scouting Report
Offense
QB: The starting QB for the Giants, Daniel Jones, has already set a career high in yards with 3,205 on the season. Currently completing 317 of 472 passes, his 67.2 percentage is also a career high and would set a Giants record in this area. Jones, in his fifth season, is having a rebirth under coach Brian Daboll and he has helped the Giants get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
RB: Saquon Barkley has come back fully healthy this season and produced in a big way for the New York Giants.
Top five in the NFL in carries with 295 (3rd) and yards 1,312 (4th), Barkley also has 10 TD for New York. In the first meeting this season, the Eagles were able to limit Barkley to nine carries for 28 yards and the team hopes to have similar success Sunday. If the Giants do need to go to a different back for any reason this week, the likely beneficiary to pick up the work would be Matt Breida, a bruising back who was used extensively by the 49ers before his departure in free agency.
WR: The WR group for the Giants has been in flux all season due to injury. After starting the season with Kadarius Toney leading the group, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs. This has left Darius Slayton and Isaiah Hodgins as WR 1 and 2. Talented Kenny Golladay is currently the WR 3 for the Giants, although his numbers, 4 receptions for 51 yards, show the level to which the Giants have used him in this offense.
TE: Daniel Bellinger has been the TE the Giants have counted on this season to make plays. With 30 receptions for 268 yards and 2 TD, the rookie from San Diego State will be a heavily utilized member of this pass game.
Defense
Defensive Line: Azziz Ojulari and Leonard Williams are out due to injury. Dexter Lawrence, Jihad Ward, and Justin Ellis will look to slow down Miles Sanders, Kenneth Gainwell, and Boston Scott in the run game.
Linebackers: Rookie Kayvon Thibodeaux has made a major impact in recent games. Coming out of Oregon, Thibodeaux has been a top rookie pass rusher in the NFL. His place in this LB room with fellow rookie Micah McFadden bring a young foundation to the position for the Giants.
Secondary: CBs Adoree Jackson (although he's doubtful) and Fabian Moreau will be the focal point of the New York Giants' defense as they will line up against the duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith. With safeties Xavier McKinney and Julian Love helping, the secondary will be challenged in this game. Counting on help from veterans Tony Jefferson and Nick McCloud, who started last week for Jackson, might become vital as the game moves on.
Key Stats
68: The Eagles lead the NFL with 68 sacks this season on defense.
11: Miles Sanders comes in with 11 TD on the season. Sanders also has a career high in rush yards with 1,236, which is currently 5th in the NFL.
144: In the first meeting between these two teams, Miles Sanders ran 17 times for 144 yards and 2 TD in the Eagles' victory.
Marquee Matchup | Haason Reddick vs. Andrew Thomas
Getting to the quarterback will be an important aspect of the Eagles' ability to win this game on Sunday. Daniel Jones can make plays with his legs, so the ability of Haason Reddick to get into the backfield against Andrew Thomas will be a key factor to watch for.
Thomas is having a great season and was just named an All-Pro by ESPN. Reddick is second in the league with 16 sacks. If Reddick can beat him this week, it would be a major victory against one of the top left tackles during the season.
