Running back LeSean McCoy has been the closer for the Eagles this season. Last week, it was McCoy who tallied 55 total yards as the Eagles ate up the final 4:22 against the Cowboys. Against the Giants earlier this season, McCoy scored on a 50-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter and for good measure tacked on a 40-yard scamper.

In his second NFL season, McCoy is on the cusp of breaking the 1,000-yard barrier. He has 972 rushing yards on the ground this season and 321 of them have come in the fourth quarter. No running back in the NFC has more fourth quarter rushing yards than McCoy and his 6.3 yards per carry in the final stanza is tops in the NFL.

In the aforementioned first battle with the Giants, McCoy's final numbers were wonderful. He had 111 rushing yards on 14 carries and five catches for an additional 29 yards. But at halftime of that game, McCoy only had 5 rushing yards and 16 receiving yards.

"It's one of those things as back where you have to wait and be patient, things will open up for you," McCoy said. "It's tough, but you have to keep pushing. Some games will be like that."

McCoy credited not only the blocking, but the playcalling from offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg for the ability to run out the clock against the Cowboys. Mornhinweg designed the runs so that the Cowboys defense was stretched and McCoy could pick and choose his holes taking advantage of his quick-cutting ability.

While the headlines for this upcoming game revolve around quarterback Michael Vick and wide receiver DeSean Jackson, it could be McCoy who is the difference-maker on Sunday against the Giants.

"I'm excited. It's a good game and there's a lot at stake, I can't wait," McCoy said.

-- Posted by Chris McPherson, 6:00 a.m., December 19