It almost feels like the Philadelphia Eagles represent that one final roadblock standing in the way of the New York Giants and turning the corner toward success. The Giants haven’t beaten Philadelphia away since 2013, and their last victory against this pesky opponent was in 2016 when the Giants won 28-23 on November 6.
Beating the Eagles represents much more than just a point in the victory column, it also suggests that a curse has been lifted from a franchise that has struggled to return to relevance.
The Giants, who are currently 2-7 and coming off a big win over the Washington Football Team, have a bit of momentum heading into Sunday’s game against Philly. However, they are expected to gain back receiver Alshon Jeffery, and they recently returned rookie Jalen Reagor to the receiver corps. The Giants will have a bolstered competitor compared to their first meeting this season, but they are still capable of walking away with a victory despite the addition of talent for the Eagles.
Currently, Philadelphia’s defense ranks in the middle of the pack in points allowed. They allow an average of 25.6 points per game, while the Giants are at 24.3. Offensively, they are worse, averaging just 22.7 points while the Giants are at 18.7, a significant difference in the margin, but Big Blue is taking small steps forward every week.
How can the New York Giants beat Philly?
The Giants’ game plan will be simple, establish the run and control time of possession, keeping the Eagles offense off the field. The Giants’ offensive line has taken a significant leap in the run game, propelling Alfred Morris and Wayne Gallman to 166 yards against Washington last week against a talented defensive front. The Eagles are also strong in the trenches, but giving Daniel Jones some time in the pocket and keeping the defense honest is the recipe for success.
With the NFC East in a tight race among all four teams, the Giants have an opportunity to overcome the Eagles and compete for a playoff spot. Despite the primary goal of overcoming NFC East challengers and making the post-season, beating the Eagles is a much more pressing challenge. They represent years of inadequacy and floundering for the Giants, and turning this page will be a huge development in Big Blue’s progress toward being a respectable team once again.