The Philadelphia Eagles welcome the New York Giants to Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday afternoon for an NFC East matchup that features two teams moving in very different directions.
The Eagles came into the season expecting to compete for their third division title in as many years. They instead find themselves in the midst of a six-game losing streak, searching for answers.
The Giants are the only team in the NFC East with a winning record at 4–2–1 and are reportedly buyers at the trade deadline to try and pad their division lead.
Who: New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
When: Sunday, November 8, 1:00PM ET
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
How: FOX
Philadelphia’s ability to establish the running game and control the line of scrimmage will be critical against New York; without it, their offense is stagnant.
The Eagles have struggled to find an offensive identity all season. Even before Jalen Hurts was out for the season and DeVonta Smith missed multiple games, the Birds were unable to find an offensive rhythm. Both playcalling and execution have played a role.
Saquon Barkley, who is playing through an injury, has not been the same game-changing presence this season, and the offense has struggled to find ways to consistently get him or any running back into favorable situations.
Philadelphia used a wildcat formation against Washington with Willie Lampkin as a fullback on a first-quarter touchdown run. Opening the playbook and using different formations to create opportunities to help the attack, rather than continually asking him to manufacture yards on his own, is a need right now.
The Eagles need to exploit a Giants defense allowing 128.1 rushing yards per game.
Philadelphia's biggest challenge is finding a way to generate consistent offense with the personnel currently available. The Eagles are averaging just 17.1 points per game, and their offensive production has been among the worst in the NFL.
The coaching staff continues to search for answers, but the quickest fix may be to simplify things and get its remaining playmakers involved.
Establishing Barkley has been their priority early in games, but Philadelphia also needs to use the short passing game to create opportunities. They need to be consistent with both in all four quarters.
The Giants have allowed 184.9 passing yards per game, and their defense has generated only nine sacks this season. Philadelphia needs to take advantage of that matchup.
Dallas Goedert, who could be playing in his last game as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles, as his name looms large in trade talks before Tuesday’s deadline, could play an important role in the passing game. The Eagles need to create favorable matchups rather than continually relying on difficult downfield throws.
Philadelphia is too predictable, and when the initial approach isn’t working, the adjustments have been slow to come.
The Eagles defense needs to find a way to slow down an offense that has been considerably more productive than its own. New York averages 346 yards and 23.3 points per game, compared to Philadelphia’s paltry 265.3 yards and 17.1 points. That is a significant difference.
For an Eagles defense that has struggled to get off the field, generate sacks, or even much pressure on opposing quarterbacks all season, they need a stellar performance from their defensive line.
Quinyon Mitchell, Riq Woolen, and Cooper DeJean will need to play disciplined football, communicate effectively, and limit New York's opportunities to generate explosive plays in the passing game.
Giants WR Malachi Fields has increased his snaps, targets, and production over the past two weeks and could play a significant role against the Eagles. Malik Nabers is their WR1, coming off four straight 100+ yard games, but Fields is quickly becoming a dangerous receiver.
At this point, it is hard to identify one player or one coach who can fix everything that's gone wrong in Philadelphia. The problems are multifaceted and widespread, and excuses aren't helping them get more out of the personnel available. The offensive brain trust can’t keep relying on the same concepts and expect different results.
Defensively, Vic Fangio needs to find ways to generate pressure; yes, that includes dialing up a blitz far more than he wants to do.
Sunday offers a chance to show pride and give the fanbase a reason to believe there is still something worth fighting for this season. The coaches must bring that fight out of the players.
Offensive execution: They cannot afford another afternoon of stalled drives and missed opportunities. They need to do the things they can control well. Discipline, attention to detail, limiting turnovers and penalties.
Time of possession: The Giants rank second in the league in TOP, averaging 32:32, while Philadelphia ranks twenty-ninth at 28:24. The Eagles will spend another afternoon watching the opposing offense control the game if they can not sustain drives and eat clock.
Defensive tackles dictating the game: Philly’s DTs have pushed off the line and lost one-on-one matchups the last few games. For a team that is built to win the trenches, Philly must start doing that to compete.
The Eagles have lost six games in a row for the first time since 2012, the final year of Andy Reid’s coaching tenure with the Birds.
All the other numbers don't matter. Getting their first win in two months is the only one that does. As Al Davis famously said, “Just Win Baby!”
It starts with getting one.
Giants 27, Eagles 17
The Giants plan to come into Philadelphia and take advantage of a team that has struggled to find answers all season. New York has been more productive and consistent, and its ability to control the clock and establish the running game makes for a difficult matchup for the Birds.
The Eagles have shown they can compete early, but they need that same effort and fight all four quarters. Until they do, it is hard to have any reason to believe they can win a game.
A loss to the Giants would be another significant disappointment and would make an already difficult season almost impossible to salvage, but that said, I believe the Giants take advantage of Philadelphia’s continued struggles and leave Lincoln Financial Field with a 27–17 victory.
Will the Eagles trade Saquon Barkley? It's not looking likely, according to a report from ESPN.
Will Cam Skattebo play against the Eagles? The second-year RB is still dealing with a hamstring issue and didn't practice on Monday.
Will DeVonta Smith return against the Giants? That too is unknown. The star wideout missed last week's loss to Washington and has missed four total games this season. The Eagles will likely be cautious with their most explosive offensive weapon.
MORE: Should Eagles make a change at QB as season continues to slip away
