NFL: Eagles Season on the Brink Against Giants

The Eagles are in a big hole but they still have time to climb back out. Al Dannity breaks down a huge game for Philadelphia against the Giants on Sunday night!

A lucky break?
The Eagles sit 3 games behind the Giants entering their prime-time showdown and New York currently holds the tie-breaker. The late failings of New York in San Francisco last Sunday however left the slightest of openings for the Eagles. A win on Sunday and they can eliminate New York’s head-to-head advantage while cutting the gap to 2 games with 6 to go. It’s far from ideal but given the way Philadelphia’s ‘Dream Team’ has played in 2011, it could be a lot worse.

Being presented an opportunity is one thing, taking advantage requires some bold decision making by the Eagles. The Giants have reached 6-3 because they have been able to build a tight game plan for Eli Manning to follow. On Sunday night the Eagles defense, one which hasn’t excited at all this year, needs to take Eli out of his comfort zone. Manning has a big arm but when he plays fast and loose, he makes mistakes.

Big shot for Big Blue
For the Eagles to prevail on Sunday, they need to take a glass-half-full approach to the game. The Giants don’t need such convincing. Right now they lead their division and know a 3-3 split of their last 6 games should be enough to win it so long as they get the job done on Sunday. Considering they face the Saints and Packers in consecutive weeks after their meeting with the Eagles, Big Blue won’t need any motivation to start their run for home now.

In terms of opportunities, the Giants defense knows the Eagles have made a ton of mistakes on offense in recent weeks. You don’t get to 3-6 with that level of talent unless you mess up big. New York will look to create plenty of chaos and force the Eagles into some big time errors.

The verdict
Nothing NFL betting fans have seen in recent weeks should convince them of an imminent turnaround in Philadelphia. I don’t like the Giants’ long-term prospects, particularly as their limitations were exposed by the 49ers, but this Sunday is another matter. The Giants are focussed, disciplined, and capable of controlling the tempo. The Eagles have shown none of these traits all year. Don’t be blinded by talent. I like the Giants to win on Sunday night!