3 Keys to Beating the Giants

As I said in my previous post, I'm keeping my expectations low for this Sunday's Eagles-Giants matchup. Nevertheless, I have strong views on what the Eagles need to do to win the game. 1)Stop the run, 2)Don't give away points with big mistakes, and 3)keep the time of possession in balance. If we do these three things, we will win the game. If we falter on any of them, we will lose. Here's why.

Regarding stopping the run, this one is obvious. This is a January matchup of NFC East rivals. If you can't stop the run, and run the ball yourself (or otherwise keep time of possession in balance), you will lose. When the Eagles gave up 219 yards to the Giants in Week 10, we lost, despite scoring 31 points. When we held the Giants to 88 yards rushing in Week 14, we won the game 20-14. I think any chance the Eagles have to win the game hinges on this. If the Giants can march down the field by running the ball down our throat, we will lose the game. Biggest reason? Because we don't have the capacity to do that back to them. We'll end up having to throw the ball more predominantly than we'd planned, they'll tee off on McNabb, and we'll have a bunch of 3 and outs.

Regarding #2, in the regular season, you can win games even if you allow pick-6's or other game changing mistakes. In the Eagles Week 14 win against the Giants, a blocked FG was returned for a TD, yet we still won that game. I guarantee you that if either team on Sunday has a game changing play like this in their favor, they will win the game. Plays like that are rare, but they happen. And if they happen in the playoffs, they are fatal.

And finally, on offense, the Eagles must find a way to stay on the field by picking up first downs and keeping the time of possession in balance. Our typical flurry of 3-and-outs after 3 incomplete passes isn't going to cut it against the defending Super Bowl champs on their home turf, because the Giants can wear you down with their running game. We need to keep our defense fresh and stay competitive in the field position battle. Logic says that we'll need to run the ball to be able to do so, but in all actuality, a balanced approach is our best bet at getting it done. McNabb's gonna make some plays, but Westbrook and the O-line need to do so as well.

Maybe all this is obvious, but barring something unforeseen, if the Eagles do the above 3 things, I think they will win the game. If they fail with even one, they will lose.

Don't forget. The Giants are the defending Super Bowl champions and this year's #1 seed. They will not fall easily on their home turf.

Regardless of the outcome, here's hoping that Mr. Hyde has been terminated.

PS--The Giants have failed to sack Donovan McNabb thus far this year. I'm sure they're hungry--especially after losing 3 of their last 4 games--so the Birds will have to be ready for an onslaught of blitzes and QB pressure.