No rest for the weary this week as the Eagles prepare to play the New York Giants on Thursday night. The battered birds have a short week but look to bounce back against another weak team. The New York Giants are coming off their first win of the season against an equally bad Washington Football Team. Playing a short week and losing even more players against the Ravens, will the Eagles have what it takes to best their divisional foe on national TV?
Eagles Offense
Carson Wentz is BACK, making a statement this past Sunday. Practice Squad gem Travis Fulgham‘s emergence has been a bright spot in a dim season. However, as great as these two have been in 3 straight weeks, injuries continue to plague this team. The injury bug has taken star RB and TE, Miles Sanders and Zach Ertz and left the Eagles with just two starters from before the season began. Doug Pederson has been a headcase, calling some rather interesting plays and failing to convert on much-needed attempts. Pederson needs to be better to turn this ship around entirely.
To win this game, the Eagles need the “next man up” mentality. It was the key to winning the Super Bowl, and it’s the key to beating the Giants. Every player on that offense needs to play like they are the starter. The O line needs to be their best and protect the quarterback. The receivers need to run their best routes and complete catches. The running backs need to hit holes hard and make plays in the open field. This mindset, mixed with creative and effective play-calling, should be more than enough to secure the win. This game will be a team effort, and the “practice squad” will have all eyes on them this week.
Defensive Madness
The Eagles defense is another story. This side of the ball has been the most puzzling factor of Eagles football this year. The defense manages to play well and horribly in the same game. On some drives, they lock up and force three and outs against high powered offenses. On other drives, they miss easy tackles and give up touchdowns. The defense and Coach Jim Schwartz has been incredibly inconsistent and must tighten up to win games. The secondary has played much better this year than last.
On top of that, the defensive line has quietly led the league in sacks through week 6. The linebacker core, however, has been more than an issue. The LBs are consistently torched by slant patterns and the TE position as a whole. To win this game, Jim Schwartz needs to call a smart methodical match. The D line must attack the quarterback and pressure Daniel Jones from the first whistle to the last. Nate Gerry on the bench would also be beneficial, as he has consistently been the worst NFL defensive player each week. This is a very winnable game, as long as the defense steps up against a very underwhelming Giants offense.
Prediction
I think this game has all the making for a Carson Wentz revenge game. The slander will end on the national stage this Thursday, and Wentz will silence his critics. This should be an easy game against a terrible Giants team. While the Eagles are missing key players, the Giants are without a superstar on either side of the ball. Their undoubted best player, and only real threat, Saquon Barkley, will miss the rest of the season. This injury gives the Eagles almost nothing to worry about defensively. As long as everyone steps up and does their job, I take the Eagles in an easy win this week. Ultimately, it will come down to effort and play calling, as the Eagles head out to beat a miserable team while armed with no names. I’ll take the injured Eagles 35-17 this week, stomping their division rival with ease.
