New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles NFL preview: Eagles flying to the top
The Philadelphia Eagles’ offence just looks unbeatable right now. It appears that Michael Vick and company cannot be stopped. Just six days after lighting up the primetime scene with a 59-28 thrashing
of Washington on Monday night, the Eagles are likely to face a tougher test against the Giants.
First place in the NFC East is on the line on Sunday night, as the Eagles sit at 6-3 while the Giants stand tall at 7-2. However the Eagles have been on fire, thanks to the return of Vick, who is making
a strong case to win his first MVP award. In his four starts, Vick is undefeated and leads the league with a 115.1 passer rating. He also has thrown for 1,350 yards, 11 touchdowns and has added 341 rushing yards and four scores.
Vick may have had his best game yet on Monday night, when he threw for 333 yards and four touchdowns. He also accounted for 80 yards rushing and two touchdowns on eight carries. While those look like video
game like numbers, Vick insists it wasn’t easy.
"To you it looked like we played with ease, but this game is tough," said Vick, who has yet to throw an interception. "Nothing comes easy. It's not going to be easy against New York. It wasn't easy against
Washington. It may have looked easy, but it wasn't."
Before last Sunday, you probably would have felt if any team would be able to stop the Eagles’ offence, it’d be the Giants’ vaunted defence. However last week, the Giants defence had perhaps their worst
outing of the season, as they faced an awoken Cowboys team and lost 33-20. The Giants did not look like themselves and now they have to recover in a hurry as the Eagles are now looking like the league’s scariest offence.
The Giants are still ranked as the league’s top defence, with 270 yards allowed per game, but they’ll be put to the test. Eagles coach Andy Reid points out that not only does New York have a great defence,
but that they should be wary of their offence.
"They're a good football team and we have to make sure we go through the preparation and process of getting ready to play not only the number defence in the National Football League, but also their offense
is very explosive," Reid said.
However New York will be missing some key parts of that offence. Receiver Steve Smith will miss the game with a torn pectoral muscle, while centre Shaun O’Hara and tackle David Diehl are out as well. Look
for the Eagles to blitz to bring pressure on Eli Manning.
One breakout star for the Giants has been Hakeem Nicks, who is tied for the NFL lead in touchdown catches with nine. He’s the Giants’ go-to guy once they reach the redzone. Ahmad Bradshaw has also been
a breakout star at running back with 838 yards rushing for the season.
One problem for the Giants has been their turnover differential. They’re at minus-five while the Eagles are at plus-12. New York cannot afford to lose the turnover battle Sunday, especially with the Eagles’
offence.
"When you play Philly, you have to play perfect," Manning said. "Everybody has to be on the same page and everybody has to see things the same way. Routes have to be perfect, and the offensive line has
to know who they're blocking and be ready for their blitz packages and everything they're doing."
Kickoff will be at 8:30 on Sunday night from Lincoln Financial Field.
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