The New York Giants clash with the divisional rival Philadelphia Eagles in a pivotal early-season matchup on Sunday Night Football. This Week 4 battle is the Giants’ third primetime test of the season, and could prove to indicate which direction the defending Super Bowl champions may be headed in this season.
Coming off a blowout victory of the Carolina Panthers, the Giants (2-1) hope to build on their big win with a much-needed triumph within their division that will keep the momentum going heading into the tough part of their schedule. Meanwhile, the Eagles (2-1) would love to bounce back after suffering an embarrassing 27-6 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on the road.
The Giants enter this game having lost seven of their last eight against the Eagles, but had a substantial amount of success in their first meeting last season, where they recorded three interceptions, knocked Michael Vick out of the game and Eli Manning threw four touchdowns passes in a 29-16 rout.
Here are four key questions heading into this matchup for the Giants:
1. Can the Giants keep Michael Vick off his game?
Michael Vick has started off the2012 season in very unimpressive fashion for the Eagles, turning the ball over nine times in just three games. In those three games, he has been sacked nine times and hit an NFL-worst 28 times, finding little time to settle in the pocket and make a smart throw to his receivers.
Boasting one of the most dominant pass rushing groups in the NFL, the Giants come in with a massive advantage. Their NASCAR unit, consisting of lethal pass rushers like Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck, has the ability to give opposing offenses fits. Though they have not gotten to a hot start this season, their 48 sacks last season are a good indication of the danger they impose for opposing quarterbacks on any given play.
Seeing how much it has worked thus far this season, defensive coordinator Perry Fewell will likely plan to place Vick under duress for much of the night. In their Week 3 matchup last season, the Giants only recorded two sacks—both by Pierre-Paul—but their constant pressure forced the Eagles quarterback to make foolish passes, resulting in an interception and eventually, his removal from the game by way of an injury.
Of course, the Giants know how dangerous Vick can be with his arm and on his feet. They all still have that terrible memory of the Miracle at the New Meadowlands fresh in their minds, and they would be wise not to underestimate No. 7 in this one.
2. Can the Giants continue their sudden success in the running game? How will Ahmad Bradshaw’s affect the offense?
The sudden breakout for Andre Brown (33 carries, 184 yards and three touchdowns) has been a much-needed lift for the Giants offense. In fact, one could argue that Brown, more so than Manning’s phenomenal play, enabled their offense to be so dominant in the second half of the Tampa Bay game as well as last week against the Panthers.
Meanwhile, since David Diehl’s injury, the offensive line appears to be rejuvenated as well, utilizing Will Beatty and Sean Locklear at the left and right tackle positions, respectively. The blocking up front has opened up huge holes for Brown to run through, while also giving Manning all the time in the world in the pocket.
As of now, incumbent starter Ahmad Bradshaw is expected to return and should see an even workload with Brown. The effect his return will have depends on the Bradshaw the Giants put on the field. At the top of his game, Bradshaw is easily one of the NFL’s most underrated rushers capable of breaking a big run on any play. He reads the play well and puts his shifty running style to work when he has some open field in front of him.
Unfortunately, injuries have slowed him down and it’s a wonder if perhaps Bradshaw was a weak link on the offense after seeing the success Brown has been able to have in his absence.
3. How will the offensive line fare against that feisty Eagles pass rush?
The Eagles bring a talented pass rushing group of their own on defense, led by the likes of Trent Cole and Jason Babin. Leading the NFL last season in sacks with 50, the Eagles bolstered their abilities in pass-rushing situations when they added rookie defensive tackle Fletcher Cox in the 2012 NFL draft.
Like the Giants, the Eagles have yet to really get much going in the sack department, but they have the talent to do so and against a questionable offensive line like Big Blue’s it has to be a concern.
The Giants have done spectacularly in pass protection, however, especially since Diehl’s departure. In three games, New York has allowed just five sacks and only 10 hits on Manning. The offensive line has been dependable, keeping No. 10 on his feet and providing him with enough time to throw for a league-leading 1,011 passing yards.
The Eagles will undoubtedly attempt to bring pressure early, as they always do, but this year’s offensive line unit may have the talent—at least for the time being—to hold strong and keep that feisty Eagles group out of the backfield.
4. What must the Giants defense do to keep the Eagles out of the end zone?
Vick and the Eagles offense are easily one of the most high-powered groups in the NFL. With speedsters like LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson, they have the ability to embarrass an opposing defense on the simplest of plays.
To this point in the season, Eagles offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg’s play-calling has been questionable at best. Though McCoy has gotten plenty of touches, Mornhinweg has relied too heavily on the pass and, as a result, Vick has turned the football over a ton.
It’s likely the Eagles will continue to look to the pass despite having one of the league’s best rushers in the backfield, but that doesn’t mean the Giants should overlook the shifty back. McCoy has had strong performances against the Giants in the past (92 carries for 526 yards and three touchdowns in six games) and the Eagles should look to capitalize on that success Sunday night.
In the passing game, the Giants’ defensive backs must play a physical, imposing game of football against the Eagles’ receivers. The Eagles have had 13 pass plays of 20 yards or more this season and there is no question Vick, Mornhinweg and the offense will look to capitalize on their blatant speed advantage to connect on some big plays down the field.
If the Giants’ corners can jam Jackson and Jeremy Maclin at the line and remove their speed from the equation, it could alleviate some of the pressure weighing on the depleted secondary’s shoulders. Meanwhile, the Giants must employ that fearsome pass rush with stunts and blitzes used to confuse Vick at the line and expose his dismal pre-snap reads as previous opponents have had success doing.
Louis Musto is a contributor for the Sports Journey Broadcasting Network covering the NFL and NBA. You can follow him on Twitter @LouisMusto.