The Giants had the Eagles' number for a while after their Super Bowl run in 2004, winning 6 of 8. Then, things changed, and its not a coincidence that the Giants haven't beaten the Eagles since Plaxico Burress was dismissed from the team midway through the 2008 season. Burress was an Eagle killer, and when the Giants had their running game going, he was a tough matchup for any defense. Though the Giants have picked up some other nice young receivers in Steve Smith, Hakeem Nicks, and Mario Manningham, none of them have the game-changing presence that Plax did, and with a less effective running game, the Giants have been easier to defend lately.
Of course, the Eagles D vs. Giants O isn't the part of the game that most of America is going to tune in to see. No, what they want to see is Michael Vick, coming off one of the best performances by a quarterback I've ever seen, against a much more formidable defense in the Giants. The G-Men are tops in the league in fewest yards allowed per game. The Eagles are 3rd in yards gained, and are 2nd in points scored. Something has to give. What isn't getting much press is the fact that the Giants actually have the second-ranked offense in the NFL based on yards gained, and will be a formidable challenge for the Eagles, but what can you expect when Mike Vick is on the opposing squad?
Vick will be facing a sometimes-dominating defensive line that has a combination of size and athleticism that the Eagles haven't seen this year. It will be a great test for a quarterback with a level of athleticism that has never been seen before in the game of football. Michael Vick has an opportunity to dispose of the "yeah, but who has he played" argument that exists when speaking about his success this season. If the Eagles handle the Giants and Vick has a big game, they can instantly catapult themselves to the favorites in the NFC, having already beaten the 7-2 Falcons, which is hard to believe considering what most of us thought of the team's prospects in the preseason. If not, there are going to be some doubts about whether this a Super Bowl caliber team as opposed to just a playoff team.
Everything is clicking right now on the offensive side of the ball (I know, brilliant observation on my part after they scored 59 points last week), and the Giants are coming off a terribly disappointing loss to a 1-7 Dallas team at home. As mentioned before, they haven't beaten the Eagles the last four tries. What does that mean? They're going to be fired up. Fired up to end the streak, to prove that last week was the exception and not the rule, and to do what no team thus far has been able to do - contain number 7. On top of that, it's a top tier division rivalry in the NFL. NBC must be giddy with excitement thinking about the ratings this primetime matchup will generate.
If the Eagles win the game, however, they will do it on the defensive side of the ball. I think Vick and the offense will score their points, but can the D contain what has been a very solid Giants offense this year? One thing that favors the Birds is the Giants' injury situation, as they are banged up to say the least. Among the wounded are O-lineman Shaun O'Hara and David Diehl, who, along with WR Steve Smith and FB Madison Hedgecock, will be out for the game. TE Kevin Boss was limited in practice, but is probable to play. Oh, and wait, there's one more; yes, our old buddy, Shawn Andrews is questionable with a (shocker) back injury. Boy, that sounds awfully familiar. Andrews, though, says he is "extra amped" about this one, as I'm sure he can't wait to exact revenge on the team that dealt with over a year of his injury drama, personal issues, and Michael Phelps songs before finally cutting him this past offseason. Andrews better be amped if he's in the game, because I'm sure there are some Eagles D-linemen who wouldn't mind teeing off on the guy who pulled the team through what seemed like a never-ending roller coaster ride over the past two years. While part of me is happy for the guy that he is able to play football with all the issues he's had with depression and his back, it's nice how he managed to pull it together AFTER the Eagles finally gave up and cut him.
So, with that all said, Sunday night promises to be a fun one. Plenty of storylines, first place in the NFC East on the line, and Michael Vick's true chance to show that he is back as an elite NFL quarterback. The Eagles are poised to thrust themselves into Super Bowl-contender status with a win, and to prompt a blog post from me featuring a classic Madden tune. Exciting, huh? Just another reason to hope the Eagles win.
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