NFL Divisional Playoffs Eagles-Giants Breakdown

Omarr Curran

on January 8, 2009 8:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (855) | TrackBacks (0)

Probably the most exciting week in the NFL postseason the divisional playoffs are set to kickoff this weekend. There are a lot of good games this week like the Titans vs. Ravens, or the Steelers vs. Chargers rematch. That's all well and good. But in my humble opinion the most excited game has to be the Eagles vs. Giants.

Playing in the toughest division in the league these rivals have all the ingredients. Both play in big markets, both have good QB's, top 10 defenses, top 10 offenses, crazy fans and are only seperated by a 2 hour drive on the New Jersey Turnpike. Whether you admire Will Smith or Jay-Z, prefer cheesesteaks over new york style pizza, or choose Reyes over Rollins it's a never-ending discussion when arguing Philly or New York. Sometimes only people who live in these two cities understand it, but what's about to go down this Sunday everybody should appreciate.

The Eagles are suppose to be the hotter team and the Giants are suppose to be scared or somehow in trouble because of the Eagles recent play and disposal of the Vikings. Well understand the Giants almost beat that same Vikings team with one hand tied behind their back in a game that meant everything to the Vikes. The fact of the matter is that if the Vikings had any type of QB play, I mean just a little bit of QB play, the Eagles are home. Instead, Tavaris Jackson was the player of the game... for the Eagles! Minnesota was actually outscoring the Eagles offense 14-9 until that Westbrook screen. So lets kill the meaning-less storylines and talk about what's really likely to happen this Sunday.

When evaluating these games, I'm not into what the Eagles did against the Vikings, or what the Giants did to the Panthers, it's all about who and what these teams are. That being said here are my cases for both teams.

Why The Eagles Can Win:
McNabb has been playing better after Big Red played him and benched him. I don't think it had anything to do with the benching, I just think it coincided with it. He's been throwing darts and seems less frantic in the pocket like he was early on. Take a look at the Vikings game and you'll realize his pocket presence is really on point. The Giants haven't sacked McNabb this season and if they aren't able to pressure him that just gives the Eagles more time to get what they want. And that's Pierce chasing Westbrook across the formation with everyone else down the field. Definitely not a good look for the G-Men.

It's been well documented that #36 has been a thorn in the Giants side over the years. If the Giants can't get penentration, that just adds to Westbrooks elusiveness and allows him to hide behind the biggest O-Line in the league. This enabled them to have success in the last match-up. The Giants have to be able to at least contain the Eagles screen game and contain DeSean Jackson. If they have to roll coverage over the Jackson, that just gives the Eagles more favorable match-ups with Giants backers against Westbrook. If this happens, Coughlin's face will look like it did in that Green Bay game.

Lastly, the Eagles defense has been dominant for a minute now. Stewart Bradley is a beast and Quinton Mikell is really a Pro Bowler. They are the reason why the Eagles only had to make one play on offense last week and still won. If they can contain the Giants run game and force the Giants to pass the ball more than they want to with average receivers against a really good secondary that might be enough to get the W.

Why the Giants Can Win:
The Giants are probably the most battle tested team in the entire league. They are the home team and have more talent even without Plaxico Burress. They have a QB who has won it before and is better than McNabb in late game situations, in the two minute, on 3rd down and in the 4th quarter. If the Giants O-line, which is the best in the league gives Eli time to throw, his offense will slowly suck the life out of the Eagles defense. Even without Plaxico, Manning and the receivers can get it done. Last game Dominic Hixon dropped what would of been the longest TD pass of Eli's career and the Giants receivers aren't likely to have the big drops they had last time they played.

The Giants running game is as good as it gets. How are the Eagles gonna stop this powerful running game with a now close to 100% MacTruck named Brandon Jacobs constantly hitting a banged up defense in 20 degree weather? Jacobs even had 50 yards and 5 yards per carry in one half of work even in the game that the Giants lost. Understand folks that there's no answer for this type of physical brutality even with 8 men in the box when this O-line is rolling. Against a banged up Birds squad by time the 4th quarter the Eagles defense will not be as anxious to tackle Jacobs as they we're in the first quarter.

The Giants haven't had any sacks in the first two meetings, you know that Coughlin is preaching this and the players want to recitify this. The G-Men have been playing with a nice lead pretty much the entire season, so defensive Coor. Spags didn't have to show everything with the O dominating. I'm betting Spags will have some new wrinkles to turn up the heat on Donovan this week. Defensive tackle Fred Robbins is healthy and feeling good he says. He really anchors the Giants run defense and puts pressure up the middle on QB's. There will be nowhere to run for Westbrook on Sunday if he's on his game and that'll put all the pressure on the Eagles passing game in the windy Meadowlands. If this happens the game might get away from the Birds.

Who Will Win?

It's hard to pick against the Super Bowl Champs in this one. They are rested, they have a better gameday coach and will use the fact that the Eagles are the trendy pick as disrespect and motivation. Last game they played the Eagles out-Giants the Giants, beating them at their own game, running the ball and stopping the run. It's hard for me to see that happening again, especially since the Giants lost the last game at home against the Eagles. Legendary coffin corner punter Jeff "The Fossil" Feagles will give the Giants the kicking edge. In a game either team could truly win I like the Big Blue Gints who are taylored made for cold bitter weather conditions to pull out a close one. Giants 20 Eagles 13.

Written By Omarr Curran