Four bold predictions for Giants-Eagles NFC divisional game

Daniel Jones is playing as well as he ever has over the last few weeks. He is showing a mix of confidence, poise, savvy, and guts. In two of the last three games, he has thrown for more than 300 yards and racked up five touchdowns with just one interception in that time. However, there is no denying those strong performances came in favorable matchups against the Vikings and Colts.

The Philadelphia Eagles are going to be a far stiffer test this weekend. The team held Jones to 169 yards in their first matchup this season, which is 10 yards below their league-leading average of 179.8 average that they gave up to opposing passing attacks this season.

While Jones is at a career high-point at the moment, he is not an elite QB, nor does he have a crop of talented targets to toss the ball to. The Eagles’ defense will once again reveal that fact in their playoff matchup.

Saquon Barkley breaks streak of games under 100 rushing yards

Saquon Barkley is a Pro Bowler in 2022-2023 and is viewed throughout the league as one of the better backs this season. However, he has shockingly not surpassed the century mark on the ground since November 13. This a stunning stat for a player that has certainly been key in helping the New York Giants reach the playoffs. Sooner or later that skid must end.

As good as the Eagles are against the pass, they can be gotten to on the ground. In their three losses this season, no player rushed for over 100 yards, but in all of those games, a combo of men was able to be a dual-threat pain in the neck for Philly. Barkley has a wingman in Jones that is sure to pound away and rack up yards on their opponents.

However, look for Barkley to elevate his game when it is needed most as the Eagles keep the Giants receivers quiet. Barkley will rush for more than 100 this weekend.

New York Giants’ defense forces Jalen Hurts into two interceptions

Jalen Hurts is too gifted an athlete not to have a game where he terrorizes the New York Giants with his legs. However, that won’t be the case through the air.

In both Eagles-Giants games this season Hurts did not have to deal with New York’s two top defensive backs, Xavier McKinney and Adoree’ Jackson. Both were back against Minnesota and made their presence felt by helping to bottle up Kirk Cousins, and quieting superstar receiver Justin Jefferson.

While the Eagles’ offense is phenomenal, they should be very worried that this group led by coordinator Wink Martindale was able to shut down the best wide receiver in the sport.

Miles Sanders and Jalen Hurts combine for 200 rushing yards

Yet, for all the success the Giants will have against the Eagles’ passing game, that won’t be the case when it comes to stopping the run. Running back Miles Sanders and Jalen Hurts absolutely scorched them in November to the tune of 221 yards and three touchdowns.

While the Giants’ front seven has shown some growth in recent weeks, this is the playoffs and this is when big players make an impact and weaknesses are exposed. The New York Giants were in the bottom six in stopping the run this season and gave up over 100 yards to a single player four times this season. That Achilles heel will show itself again in the Divisional Round.