Matchup Preview: Giants at Eagles

The Situation: The Eagles Mike Vick will be the story coming into this game.  He has been cleared to play and is still listed as probable.  But, there are several other key matchups going into this divisional battle.

The Giants pass rushers haven’t lost a beat.  Now the duo of the young Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck have a total of 4 sacks between them in two games.  The status of Osi Umeniyora is that he won’t be able to play.  The Giants have been ravaged by injuries especially on the defense.  They just found out that receiver Domenik Hixon will be out for the year as well.  They also lost their first round draft choice Prince Amukamara, corner Terrell Thomas, and rookie defensive lineman Marvin Austin are all out as well.

But, the Giants have a grudge or a score to settle.  In Week 15 last season the Eagles 38-31 victory basically knocked the Giants out of the playoffs and allowed the eventual Super Bowl Champion Packers to make it instead.

This season Manning has 2 TDs and 2 ints.  Last season he had a career high 25 ints to go along with 31 TDs.  He will certainly have to limit his turnovers this year and get a big contribution from his running game featuring Jacobs and Bradshaw.  Eagles receiver Steve Smith will be playing against his former team for the first time.

The Outcome: The Eagles have loaded up signing players like Nnamdi Asomugah and end Darren Cullins in the offseason for games like this.  Vick being healthy enough to play after suffering a mild concussion in the Eagles Sunday night loss to the Falcons, gives the Eagles an edge as supposed to having to start the backup Kafka.

The Giants need to get healthy.  But, unfortunately no one will be returning for this game like Mathias Kiwanuka.  Giants fans need to hope for a good pass rush to slow down an of late indecisive Vick.  There are plenty of huge matchups in this one including the Giants receivers against the Eagles secondary.  Advantage Eagles with the best three man corner combination in the league.

The NFC East games this weekend are phenomenal finishing with Dallas and Washington playing on Monday Night.  This game will be at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia at 1 on Sunday.  Odds makers have the Eagles favored by 8.5, but I think the Giants will keep this one close.  Give me Eagles 34-28.