Big Blue travels North on the Turnpike Sunday to face their most hated rival The Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial field. Both teams are 1 and 1, the Eagles are coming off a loss to the Atlanta Falcons, a game in which their star QB Mike Vick was knocked out of the game with a concussion. All indications are that Vick will suit up Sunday to play the Giants despite the injury.
The New York Giants enter week 3 of the 2011 NFL season with a lot of question marks. They’ve been completely depleted by injuries thus far and someone must step up off the bench if they’re going to be contenders this year. Right CB Aaron Ross has been a liability in both of the Giants previous games. First round draft pick, CB Prince Amukamara remains sidelined nursing a broken foot, and star CB Terrell Thomas has already been added to injury reserve so we won’t see him until 2012. The Line Backers of the Giants have also been a weak spot thus far, and receivers seem to be running wide open in the middle of the Giants defense.
The last time the Eagles and Giants met was last year. The Giants had a 21 point lead in the fourth quarter only to watch the Eagles come soaring back to win, on a Punt Return by WR and speedster Deshaun Jackson on the very last play of the game.
Obviously the Giants want restitution, not that this rivalry needed any extra incentive. These 2 teams hate each other, and the wild come back game last year has only added fuel to the fire. The Giants obviously must get the defensive problems fixed, fast. The Eagles are a raw speed and talent machine that can score from any where on the field against even the best defenses.
While the defense is obviously the Giants biggest problem the offense hasn’t been playing very good either. Giant QB Eli Manning seemed to get his bearings in the second half of the Monday night contest with the Rams, but had a very rocky start. As if the Giants weren’t light enough at WR, they’ve also now lost Dominick Hixon as well. WR Mario Manningham will also most likely miss the Eagles contest after suffering a concussion against the Rams.
The Giants offense can not afford to have a slow start this week against Mike Vick and the Eagles. Eli better get his feet under him quick. The Giants must run the ball against the small but fast Eagle defense. They must control the clock and keep the Eagles explosive offense off the field if they want to win Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.
Obviously neither team wants to get to 1 and 2, and the fact that it’s a very important NFC East contest adds all the more importance to this game.
Despite all the question marks entering the game Sunday, there is a few certainties.
This game will have future implications. This game will be physical. And even though both teams have great offenses, it will come down to who plays better defense.
