There is one thing that has been already decided. The winner of tomorrow's game will take on the Arizona Cardinals in the NFC Championship game. The only other thing we know for certain is that tomorrow will be an extremely physical battle.
The Eagles are hot, but the Giants feel they also have a lot to prove. This game is going to come down to which running back has more success. If Brian Wesbrook runs wild like he did last game, then the Eagles will be victorious. If Brandon Jacobs, who is now fully healthy gets going on the ground, then it will be the Giants who move on.
When the Giants have the ball:
The Giants game plan against Philadelphia will be quite simple. Big Blue is going to try to pound out yardage with Brandon Jacobs, and then throw in Derrick Ward as well as some play action passing. The success of Jacobs is crucial to the outcome of the game, because if he is able to be effective, it will open up much more for the offense. If the Eagles are able to contain Jacobs then it will put a lot of pressure on Eli Manning and the passing game. I would certainly expect the Giants to try to establish the deep threat again to Dominik Hixon, and hopefully he catches one this time. Eli tends to spread the ball around against blitzing teams like the Eagles, so it is crucial for Amani Toomer and Steve Smith to contribute, especially on third downs.
The Eagles love to bring pressure up the middle, and while it is hard to try and step up and throw into that blitz, the middle of the field is there for the Giants taking. Quick slants and in routes could certainly result in some big catch and runs if the Giants catch the Eagles blitzing. Kevin Boss should also be involved because with he will be many times matched up with a linebacker, or released to a safety down the field, which should allow him to find some open space. Really as much as the passing game does need to find success, it all comes down to just how well the Giants run the ball. Brandon Jacobs seems to have a huge chip on his shoulder, and now that he is finally healthy he is poised for a big day. He better be ready to get hit hard and often in this one.
When the Giants are on defense:
The biggest concern for Big Blue on defense is stopping Brian Westbrook. Reports are that he not only has a bad ankle, but is also nursing a swollen knee. If that is the case, the Giants need to hit him hard early and hopefully take him off of his game from the get go. Certainly, they cannot allow #36 to gash them for big gains like he did in the last game. With all things considered, despite how bad the Giants played on offense, minus those two big touchdowns by Westbrook, the defense was alright. My feeling is if they eliminate the big play and keep the Eagles in check it should be enough to get the win, assuming that the offense puts up more than 14 points.
Donovan McNabb certainly cannot be overlooked. He has been playing great football since his week 12 benching, and he will make the Giants secondary pay big if they get caught napping. The biggest problem that the Giants had in stopping McNabb last time was that they just could not get enough pressure. Look for the Giants to try some exotic blitz packages and zone coverages to try to put the heat on Donovan. If the Giants cannot get pressure on McNabb, he will have a big day.
Three X-factors:
1. Brian Westbrook- As I said before, stopping him is crucial. It would be foolish to expect the Giants to totally shut him down, but they cannot let him score on big plays such as his 71 yard receiving touchdown last week in Minnesota. Even more specifically, the Giants need to curtain his running ability. If the Eagles are able to run and keep a balanced offense it makes defending them so much harder.
2. Brandon Jacobs- He needs to get over 100 yards if the Giants hope to have enough offense to put this one away. Jacob's success will open up the play action passing game that Eli excels in, and will also allow for Derrick Ward to get going. The Giants are riding the back of Brandon Jacobs tomorrow and he will need to carry this team to the win.
3. Justin Tuck- He is banged up, but at least feeling a bit better now. He will be going against an even more banged up John Runyan, which should work in Tuck's favor. Tuck will need to harass Donovan McNabb, because if McNabb has all day to throw he will find success.
The Prediction:
So much of the hype surrounding this game is in regards to the Eagles being this year's Giants. I don't buy that at all. If anything, the Giants feel like the team with something to prove. Don't think thats the case? Just listen to some of the sound bytes from Brandon Jacobs this week. At first I was going to pick the Giants to lose based on the fact that the Eagles were the hotter team, but the Giants are too well prepared to just lay down and just get beat by a team who is coming in hot. The fact of the matter is, a lot of stats and such point to the Giants winning this game. The number one seed has never lost to the six seed in the NFC playoffs, and the Giants have never lost to an opponent twice at home in one season. So what? Those are stats of the past, and this game is a totally new situation.
I would pick the Giants if I knew that they had enough in the passing game to explolit the Eagles blitz, but (I hate to admit it) without Plaxico Burress they lack the big target that is needed. The Eagles will be able to make some crucial throws on third down because I just don't see the Giants being able to bring enough heat on McNabb.
There are just too many areas that the Giants need to work on from their last loss to Philly, and I think the Eagles will stay a step ahead of them. Look for a a big touchdown pass to DeSean Jackson to be the difference.
I did pick the Giants to lose every single playoff game last season, so why should I reverse the trend now. Remember, its good to be wrong!
Eagles 23 Giants 13
e field, and had such a calm demeanor off the field.
