Only two seasons ago, the Eagles battled the defending champion New York Giants for NFC East supremacy. The Birds earned a series split in the regular season, but needed a Week 17 win over the Cowboys just to sneak into the playoffs. Of course, that afforded them the opportunity to end Big Blue's repeat bid en route to a fifth conference final under Andy Reid.
Although little is different in the division's power structure (other than Dallas residing in the basement of course), and both clubs likely to represent in the playoffs, tonight has the strange feeling of an unprecedented meeting. Maybe it's because of all the new faces the final score is likely to hinge on. Hakeem Nicks. LeSean McCoy. Antrel Rolle. Dimitri Patterson. Ahmad Bradshaw. Michael Vick, obviously.
If we had the chance to sit in on defensive meetings this week, we probably would have overheard coaches preaching the importance of stopping Hakeem Nicks. Nicks has already bested his rookie season totals, and is one of the NFL's most productive wide receivers overall. His 56 receptions are good for fourth, 735 yards sixth, and the nine touchdowns lead the league. He is emerging as quite possibly one of the best in the game, a size-speed nightmare with big play ability.
He'll test the Eagles' corners, who have been very good in recent weeks. Asante Samuel is having another strong season. With improved play up front, his tackling has become less of an issue, and his five interceptions are the story now, second best in the NFL. Dimitri Patterson has also come on since becoming the starter after the bye. He's been a physical defender, keeping Reggie Wayne on lockdown a couple weeks ago, and showed off some instinct with a pair of picks against McNabb on Monday.
It may just boil down to the play of the quarterback. Eli Manning is on the way to the most prolific season of his career. With the maturation of Nicks, he has two Pro Bowl caliber receivers to go with some quality role players in the passing game. However, injuries have started to become a major concern for the offense, and it could have a negative impact on his performance.
First problem: the offensive line. Protection is always a point of emphasis versus the Eagles, but the Giants will go to work with a patchwork front that's missing multiple starters. David Diehl and Shaun O'Hara are both out, while Shawn Andrews is a gametime decision. They had hoped Andrews would replace Diehl at left tackle, but he hasn't practiced all week, which suggests even if he does decide to suit up, don't expect him to be 100%. In any case, it could mean a big night for Trent Cole.
Manning will also be without one of his favorite targets in Steve Smith. Nicks is the guy making highlight reels with the majority of the touchdowns and big plays, but Smith is the security blanket. He's working the underneath and intermediate routes, moving the sticks or creating easier down and distance for the offense. The offense won't lose the ability to put points on the board without him, but we'll see about sustaining and ultimately finishing long drives.
The Giants may need Ahmad Bradshaw to be the difference maker. The Eagles have been stout against the run this season, but Bradshaw is a unique weapon. He has the power to be a downhill runner, but when the hole isn't there, he has the quickness and the vision to cut the play back and create his own openings. He's also a valuable receiver out of the backfield, something the defense has struggled with. Big plays out of the backfield would go a long way to alleviate some of the pressure on the quarterback.
Then again, nothing the Giants do will matter if they can't solve Vick. Seeing as nobody has figured out V2.0 yet, their odds can't be too good.
The Eagles present a challenge unlike any in the NFL right now. We've seen DeSean Jackson simply run through and past double teams and deep safeties to catch deep passes in consecutive weeks. We've watched as Vick runs around or by the pass rush to extend drives or punch it in for six. There's a Brian Westbrook clone coming out of the backfield, and the defense still has to account for Jeremy Maclin. Talking heads have all but forgotten who Brent Celek is.
Can anybody match up with this offense? New York's front four is fierce, but the Birds force defenses to defend every inch of the football field. If they drop their safeties so deep Vick and Jackson can't possibly get over the top, they open themselves up for big plays in the middle of the field. If they send the house after the QB, that leaves their defensive backs in single coverage. Sit in zone, and even when everybody is covered and the pass rush gets there, Vick can still flee.
Should be fun tonight. The law of averages dictates Michael Vick is eventually going to turn the ball over. He's human, therefore prone to the mistakes, and the Giants have some playmakers who can cause them. But stop Vick? With how things are going, I'll believe it when I see it.
Photo by Jim McIsaac / Getty Images
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