News & Blogs

1) Win the battle up front. It’s a primetime divisional game. It’s on the road. It’s the Eagles. It’s going to be physical, and it starts in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

2) Pressure Michael Vick. This one is obvious, especially for a Giants team that laid the blueprint to containing Vick. It doesn’t just mean the defensive ends; pressure has to come from all levels. With that said, the D-line is especially hungry this week.

3) Find the hot hand(s) early. With Ahmad Bradshaw back as the starting running back, the question becomes how to work in Andre Brown and David Wilson. The Giants are no strangers to doing using multiple backs and often go with the player who is finding the most success that day. Whatever the combination may be, the Giants hope to continue averaging more than 100 yards on the ground.

4) Answer the call. The Carolina game reinforced everything Tom Coughlin and most other coaches preach – make the most of opportunities. Andre Brown and Ramses Barden did that and more last Thursday. From Hakeem Nicks being listed as doubtful to David Diehl, Jayron Hosley, and Keith Rivers already ruled out, opportunities to step up will be there again in primetime. 

5) Don’t be predictable. There aren’t many opposing coaches more familiar with each other than Coughlin and Andy Reid. The two sides have both found success at the other’s expense at different points, and these are typically close games. It could come down to the chess match.

6) Win the turnover battle. The Giants have a 4 differential, while the Eagles’ -6 has been an issue for them. The Giants intercepted the Eagles six times in two games last season and had a 4 turnover ratio. 

7) Keep Eli upright. Manning has dropped back to pass 118 times already this season and has been sacked just five times. The offensive line has been impressive in that department and will need to keep up with the Eagles’ rotation of nine defensive linemen.

8) Repeat performance. Victor Cruz returns this weekend to where his career took off. Like the rest of the team, Cruz seems to shine in these environments.

9) Help out the secondary. Jayron Hosley is ruled out. Antrel Rolle is questionable. And Corey Webster is playing with a broken hand. From linebackers clogging lanes to defensive linemen batting passes, the defense can’t allow the Eagles (who have 52 plays longer than 10 yards this season) to get into a rhythm.

10) Composure. There’s no love lost between these two teams. Emotions will be high in a hostile stadium as both sides look for their first division win. The Giants can’t afford to give away yards on penalties.