Giants at Eagles: Preview and Prediction

It’s never a good sign for an NFL team when their fanbase wants the season to end as soon as possible. Unfortunately, such is the case with the New York Giants. Even matchups against hated division rivals are failing to kindle excitement down the stretch of yet another losing season.

This Sunday, Big Blue will head to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles in their third-last game of the year. While some fans will certainly hope New York wins to damage the rival Eagles’ playoff chances, the prevailing thought is that Big Blue is better served to just lose their remaining games to get the highest draft pick possible.

If watching the Giants just to root for them to lose isn’t your bag, there may be  one saving grace that could make this game watchable for the ever-hopeful fan. Head coach Joe Judge has said he’ll take this week of practice before deciding if journeyman veteran Mike Glennon or second-year fifth-round pick Jake Fromm will start at quarterback. If Glennon, who’s been nothing short of awful in three starts replacing Daniel Jones, gets the nod, another mind-numbingly dull offensive performance is in the offing. If the job goes to Fromm, who performed admirably in one series at the end of last week’s loss, Giants fans will at least have one source of optimism heading into Sunday.

Around FPC

NFL: 2022 Raiders Draft Prospect: C Tyler Linderbaum

NFL: Chicago Bears: Could Jim Caldwell Replace Matt Nagy as Head Coach?

MLB: Buck Showalter Will Not Revolutionize The Mets

NHL: NHL/NHLPA Continue To Play Season As Cross Border Games Postponed

Wrestling: WWE Releases More Wrestlers, Including John Morrison & Hit Row

PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 24: Pats/Colts; Chiefs Take Top Seed; Analytics; Week 15 Preview

Fromm’s appearance last week was a breath of fresh air after three games of gloomy Glennon outings. His final numbers (6-12 for 82 yards) were hardly spectacular, but he looked confident and decisive. Quarterback is a fickle position. Every now and then a lowly regarded prospect like Fromm can seize their opportunity and become a worthy starter. Judge shouldn’t hesitate to give the Georgia product his opportunity over the final three weeks of the season.

As for the Eagles, they’re currently tied with the Minnesota Vikings and New Orleans Saints for the third and final NFC Wild Card spot. Each of their final three games are critical towards earning their fourth playoff berth in five years. The Giants should be motivated to knock back their hated rivals in the NFC playoff race.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Sunday’s game, followed by a prediction for the final score.

Where and When

Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Sunday at 1:00 p.m. EST / 10:00 a.m. PST

Injuries

New York: TE Kyle Rudolph (Questionable), WR Kadarius Toney (Questionable), RB Saquon Barkley (Questionable), RB Gary Brightwell (Questionable), OT Andrew Thomas (Questionable), DL Leonard Williams (Questionable), DT Austin Johnson (Questionable), FB Cullen Gillaspia (Questionable), OG Ben Bredeson (Questionable)

Philadelphia: QB Jalen Hurts (Questionable), RB Miles Sanders (Questionable), TE Jack Stoll (Questionable), OT Jordan Mailata (Questionable)

Most Concerning Matchup: CB Darius Slay vs. WR Kenny Golladay

Of the takeaways from Fromm’s showing last week, perhaps the most encouraging was his willingness to target Golladay even if the big wideout isn’t necessarily “open”. Fromm threw the former Detroit Lions’ way three times, reaping two completions for 46 yards, including a 36-yard contested catch down the right sideline. The wishful thinking, at least, is that Fromm, should he start, will finally give Golladay a chance to produce in accordance with his big-money contract.

Unfortunately for Golladay, the newly named Pro Bowler Slay will be shadowing him all game. The veteran cornerback is having a stellar season, allowing just a 77.2 passer rating when targeted. Slay held Golladay to a modest three catches for 50 yards back in Week 12. He’ll look to limit New York’s number-one receiver once more. At 6’0″ and 190 pounds, Slay has the physical make-up to challenge the 6’4″ Golladay in one-on-one situations.

Most Promising Matchup: CB James Bradberry vs. WR DeVonta Smith

If Slay did a good job of containing Golladay in these teams’ last meeting, Bradberry basically shut down Smith. Philadelphia’s 2021 first-round pick is having a solid rookie season, averaging 14 yards per reception and 52.9 yards per game. Against Bradberry, however, he caught just two passes for 22 yards. Bradberry’s job on Smith went a long way towards holding the Eagles to just 10 points in Week 12.

Philadelphia’s passing game is centered around Smith and tight end Dallas Goedert. If Bradberry can replicate his previous performance against Smith, the Giants can devote extra attention to Goedert.

Keys to Victory

The Giants benefited from a career-low outing by Philadelphia quarterback Hurts in Week 12. He threw three interceptions and completed less than half his passes, and New York still barely eked out a 13-7 win. The Eagles lead the NFL in rushing yards per game, so as long as Hurts can be competent through the air, they should be able to put up at least 20 points on Big Blue’s defense.

That’ll mean the Giants’ offense, presumably led by Fromm, needs to score more than 20 non-garbage time points for the first time since their win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 7. Building off last week’s decent rushing attack will certainly help, but Fromm will have to surprise with a quality starting debut that sparks this offense. It may be unfair to rely on a first-time starter to revive a lifeless offense. Unfortunately, that’s the situation in which New York finds itself.

Final Score Prediction: Eagles 24 – Giants 16

The Giants still haven’t forgiven the Eagles for tanking their final game of the season last year, thereby keeping Big Blue out of the playoffs. Expect a full-hearted effort from New York in this one, just don’t expect that to result in a victory. The Eagles are plainly a better team at this point, especially with the Giants on their third quarterback. Assuming Big Blue doesn’t get the same windfall of takeaways as they did in Week 12, Philadelphia should take this one at home.

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.