Semi-coherent Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants preview

Heading into the season, most pundits expected the Eagles to have a relatively easy time of it in the NFC East. The Redskins, Cowboys, and Giants all appeared to have major weaknesses that would keep them from offering the Eagles much competition.

While there are still many games yet to be played, the Eagles division mates have mostly performed better than expected. Sure, the Redskins are as bad as expected (although they gave the Eagles a tough game), but both the Giants and Cowboys have proved surprisingly feisty in the early going.

Because of that, the Eagles’ Sunday night showdown against the Giants takes on some added importance.

New York Giants

Record: 3-2 (1-1 road)

Last week: Defeated Atlanta Falcons 30-20

Head coach: Tom Coughlin (93-72 with Giants)

The last time they met

When the Eagles faced the Giants in week of the 2013 season, they had a bit of a quarterback problem. Michael Vick had missed the two previous games with a hamstring injury, and Nick Foles had suffered a concussion the week before.

. Image Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

After Foles was injured, Matt Barkley came on in relief, but was far from impressive. Seeing that the team was desperate, Vick took the field despite being far from fully healthy.

Vick didn’t make it through the game, and Barkley was once again called upon. Once again, he didn’t look especially good, and the Eagles lost the game 15-7.

What’s new with the Giants

Switching to a new West Coast offensive system has made Eli Manning less horrible, (he’s not gonna lead the league in interceptions! He’s obviously good now!) and the Giants have looked good on offense in recent weeks.

Some of that success might have been due to playing poor defenses, but its not like the Eagles have been winning against a murderer’s row of opponents themselves.

Apparently, a little bit of success has made the Giants a bit cocky:

You may think its curious why Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie would be making such a taunt, since he has never been on a championship team. In fact, maybe if “DRC” has played better when he was here, that wouldn’t be the case.

(This is probably not true. While DRC was a disappointment, the Eagles had many other problems)

Still, this kind of taunt would make more sense coming from guys like Eli Manning or Victor Cruz, since they have actually won a Super Bowl.

Featured Giants player: Antrel Rolle

By most reports, Antrel Rolle is an above average player at safety. He had six interceptions in 2013, which is a pretty solid number.

Sep 21, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants strong safety Antrel Rolle (26) runs with the ball after an interception during the second quarter against Houston Texans quarterback

(14) at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

But the area where Rolle really excels is trash talk. Rolle is one of the most prolific trash talkers in the league, and it seems that he can’t help but run his mouth about the Eagles.

In a preseason interview, Rolle declared that the Giants had “figured out” Chip Kelly’s offense, and that’s why the Eagles were held to only seven points in their second game last season.

Apparently, Rolle didn’t notice that Barkley played the majority of the snaps in that game. He doesn’t seem to realize that most offenses aren’t going to look their best when led by a rookie third-string quarterback who clearly isn’t ready for prime time.

This season, Rolle has continued to talk trash, saying that the Eagles weren’t that good last season, and they were only the beneficiaries of a weak NFC East.

It’s a pretty safe bet that Jeremy Maclin and the other Eagles receivers will welcome a chance to burn Rolle deep.

Key Eagles storyline: Cornerbacks – Size matters?

The Eagles have made no secret of their preference for larger-sized cornerbacks. That’s the main reason why they pursued Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher in free agency last year, and a big reason why they continue to start in place of nickel back Brandon Boykin.

Sep 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver

(11) makes a catch in the first quarter against Philadelphia Eagles cornerback

(24) at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Redskins, 37-34. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The problem is that both Williams and Fletcher have had problems playing the ball when it’s in the air. If they can’t do that effectively, it doesn’t matter how big they are.

Against Victor Cruz, this could be a huge problem. We all remember Cruz being matched against Nnamdi Asomugha a few years ago. Asomugha appeared to have good coverage, but when the ball was thrown in Cruz’ direction, the receiver was the one who kept coming down with it.

Foles-o-Meter

It’s weird. The Eagles keep winning, yet confidence in Foles continues to drop. Coming into the season, you’d hope that the Eagles would have the advantage at quarterback when they faced the Giants, but it’s hard to make that argument based on how they’ve played this season.

The week in Andy

Although Andy Reid is no longer the coach of the Eagles, I’m sure many fans miss the guy. Therefore, every so often, I’ll take a look at what “Big Red” is up to in Kansas City.

The scene: Reid is in his office preparing a game plan when Jamaal Charles enters.

Charles: Hey, Coach.

Reid: Hey.

Charles: It’s Jamaal. Jamaal Charles.

Reid: Right. I was just writing your name in the game plan.

Charles: Good. That’s what I want to talk to you about.

Reid: Huh?

Charles: See, I’m one of our best players.

Reid: I like that confidence. That’s how I want every man on the roster to feel.

Charles: No, I’m really one of our best players. Maybe our best. So I’m just confused why you don’t give me the ball in key situations.

Reid: You’re a running back, right?

Charles: Yes, I’m a running back! I’m a great running back! So when we’ve got third down and short situations, why don’t you give me the ball?

Reid: Third and short? That’s a passing situation. Everyone knows that.

Charles: No! Everyone doesn’t know that! Other teams give it to their running backs on third-and-short, and those running backs pick up first downs!

Reid: Well, I happen to think our quarterback…his name is escaping me right now…

Charles: Alex Smith.

Reid: Right. I think he’s a good player who deserves to have the ball in those situations.

Charles: Coach, are you familiar with fantasy football?

Reid: No.

Charles: …Anyway, in fantasy football, most people drafted me in the first round.

Reid: Oh. Congratulations.

Charles: Um, thanks. And Alex, most teams don’t bother to even draft him. And if fantasy football players can tell that I’m better than him, maybe you should too.

Reid: I appreciate your concerns. I’ll make sure to keep it in account for next week.

Charles: You’re not really going to do that, are you?

Reid: Nope.

Prediction

I’m skeptical that the Giants are that good. Maybe Eli Manning has really taken to the new offense, or maybe he’s on one of his patented “horseshoe up his butt” streaks where everything seems to break right for him. I think he cools off a little, although he’ll still probably be able to put up some points against the Eagles’ defense.

As for the Eagles’ offense despite what Rolle might think, it hasn’t been “solved,” they’re just not executing. Eagles receivers keep getting open down the field, and one of these weeks, Foles is going to start hitting them. I think that happens a couple of times this week.

Eagles 33-Giants 31