The New York Giants are near and dear to the hearts of Nate Allen and Kurt Coleman.
When the Eagles made arguably the most incredible comeback in NFL history late last season at New Meadowlands Stadium, Allen could only watch as he suffered a torn patellar tendon in that game which ended his rookie campaign.
Coleman took hold of the starting job from that point until the meeting with the Giants earlier this season. Coleman was unable to make a tackle on wide receiver Victor Cruz as he raced 74 yards for his first career touchdown. Coleman was benched for Allen, who was still easing his way back as he recovered from the knee injury.
This Sunday night, the Eagles travel to face the Giants in what is truly a "must-win" affair. The Eagles lost that first matchup earlier this season to the Giants and trail the NFC East leaders by three games. Allen and Coleman, however, have - in Allen's words - "come a long way" since that Week 3 game.
"I think we've grown game-to-game," Allen said. "We're still improving. We'll be ready Sunday. We're looking forward to this one."
Allen played what head coach Andy Reid called his best game as an Eagle in the loss to Buffalo in Week 5. Allen had 13 tackles in that game showing tremendous range. He followed that up with an interception in the win at Washington. After missing last Sunday's game against Arizona with a concussion, Allen is ready to go Sunday.
"As a competitor, you want to get out there and play," said Allen.
Coleman, meanwhile, regained a starting spot opposite Allen for that game against Washington and made the coaches look good with a career-high three interceptions, earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He has 25 tackles in the past two games and is second on the team with 50 this season.
Allen and Coleman will get a tough test from Giants quarterback Eli Manning, who is playing at an MVP level having completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 2,688 yards with 17 touchdowns against eight interceptions.
"Eli Manning definitely has a lot of trust in his wide receivers. Now that Victor Cruz and Jake Ballard have come along, he has so much trust in those guys who are going out for the deep routes and he shows no hesitation in throwing it to them," Coleman said. "He's been making plays and every game he keeps doing it and they keep making plays."
Allen noted that Manning has carried the Giants this season to their 6-3 record. Allen and Coleman will play a big role Sunday in trying to bring the Giants back to the rest of the NFC East pack.
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