**Giants.com's Dan Salomone highlights 10 storylines to follow as the Giants face the Eagles:
**
1. HOW TO CLINCH
|
The New York Giants (10-4) are one victory away from playing in their first postseason game since Super Bowl XLVI. Their simplest path to clinching a berth is winning at least one of the final two games on the road against Philadelphia and Washington. With the first-place Cowboys (12-2) notching another victory in Week 15, the NFC East champion, which has not been decided yet, is guaranteed the conference's No. 1 seed and homefield advantage.
Big Blue, as it has for much of the season, currently holds the No. 5 seed. The Giants can also get in with a loss or tie from any of the following teams: Detroit (at Dallas), Green Bay (vs. Minnesota), and Tampa Bay (at New Orleans). They can also clinch with an Atlanta loss (at Carolina).
2. GIANTS INJURY REPORT
Out: DE Jason Pierre-Paul (core muscle), S Nat Berhe (concussion) Questionable: LB Jonathan Casillas (knee), CB Janoris Jenkins (back)
3. EAGLES INJURY REPORT
Questionable: G Allen Barbre (hamstring), WR Jordan Matthews (ankle), G Isaac Seumalo (ankle), OT Halapoulivaati Vaitai (knee)
4. FOUR NAMED TO PRO BOWL
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., cornerback Janoris Jenkins, safety Landon Collins, and special teamer Dwayne Harris were named to the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl this week. While this marks Beckham's third appearance in three seasons, Jenkins, Collins, and Harris have been invited for the first time in their careers. The Giants are sending two defensive backs to the Pro Bowl for the first time since 1963, when Erich Barnes and Dick Lynch were selected. The Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, Jan. 29, in Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. The game will return to an AFC vs. NFC format this year after three years of drafting players by team captains.
5. TROUBLE AT THE LINC
The Giants have not won at Lincoln Financial Field since 2013, losing their last two games by a combined score of 54-7. They are 6-8 all-time at the venue, including postseason, and have lost five of their last seven trips. Earlier in the season, the Giants broke a four-game winning streak to the Eagles with a 28-23 victory in Week 9. Now they'll try to snap it on the road.
6. CRUZ'S RETURN
October 12, 2014 was the last time Victor Cruz played in Philadelphia and marked the beginning of a 700-day absence from football. That, of course, was the game he suffered a season-ending knee injury, setting off a string of setbacks that kept him off the field until Sept. 11, 2016. Before the injury, Cruz enjoyed some of his best games at Lincoln Financial Field, where he had 19 receptions for 305 yards and three touchdowns in three previous outings.
7. DOMINANT D
After holding Dallas and Detroit to 13 points over the last two weeks, the Giants moved up to No. 3 in scoring defense (17.9 points per game). Only New England (16.6) and Seattle (16.8) are better in that department. Meanwhile, Big Blue is also No. 1 in red-zone defense (40 percent) and No. 3 on third down (35.5).
8. PERKINS POUNDING AWAY
Rookie running back Paul Perkins averaged 4.2 carries for 15.4 yards in the Giants' first 12 games, but the fifth-round pick out of UCLA has averaged 13 for 50.5 in the last two games. Add in the return of starting left guard Justin Pugh, who missed five weeks because of a knee injury, and the Giants are looking to lean on the run game down the final stretch. They did so against the Cowboys and Lions, rushing the ball more than 30 times in each game. They had done that only once before in Week 2.
9. A SPECIAL TEAM
In the same week Harris was named to his first Pro Bowl as a special teamer, punter Brad Wing became the first Giants player ever to win back-to-back Special Teams Player of the Week awards. The Giants can't have them rest on their laurels as they face the Eagles, who are No. 1 in kickoff return average (28.5) with two touchdowns, and No. 2 on punt returns (12.9) with a long of 66 yards from Darren Sproles in Philadelphia's Week 9 loss to the Big Blue.
10. CLOSING ON THE ROAD
The Giants finished 7-1 at home this season, their best record in the seven-year history of MetLife Stadium (they were 7-1 in Giants Stadium in 2008). And barring an improbable – but not impossible – chain of events, the Giants will have to do it on the road from here on out. After Philadelphia, they finish the season at FedEx Field against the Redskins, who handed the Giants their only home loss in Week 3.
Giants.com takes a look at Giants in the Pro Bowl through the years.

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13) and his teammates pose in the end zone before the 2017 NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017 in Orlando. The AFC won 20 - 13.

New York Giants Hall of Fame quarterback Fran Tarkenton (10) of the East rolls out to pass as Baltimore Colts defensive tackle Fred Miller (76) of the West applies pressure during the 1968 NFL Pro Bowl in Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 21, 1968.

Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame linebacker Dave Robinson (89) and Detroit Lions Hall of Fame cornerback Lem Barney (20) pursue New York Giants running back Ernie Koy (24) of the East during the 1968 NFL Pro Bowl in Los Angeles, Calif., Jan. 21, 1968.

New York Giants quarterback Norm Snead (16) of the NFC throws a pass during the 1973 NFL Pro Bowl in Irving, Texas, Jan. 21, 1973. The AFC defeated the NFC 33-28 at Texas Stadium.

New York Giants running back Ron Johnson (30) of the NFC runs away from Houston Oilers defensive end Elvin Bethea (65) of the AFC during the 1973 NFL Pro Bowl in Irving, Texas, Jan. 21, 1973. The AFC defeated the NFC 33-28 at Texas Stadium.

New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor (56) takes a defensive stance during the NFL Pro Bowl football game between the AFC and the NFC in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 29, 1984. The NFC won the game 45-3.

NFC defensive back Mark Haynes (36) of the New York Giants runs with the football after intercepting a pass during the NFC's 45-3 victory over the AFC in the 1984 NFL Pro Bowl played on January 29, 1984 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo)

NFC linebacker Brad Van Pelt (10) of the New York Giants in action during the NFC's 21-7 victory over the AFC in the 1981 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 1, 1981 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson (53) at the NFL Pro Bowl, a 16-13 AFC victory on January 31, 1982, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

NFC quarterback Joe Theismann (7) of the Washington Redskins congratulates Giants place kicker Ali Haji-Sheikh (6) after kicking a 23-yard field goal during the NFC's 45-3 victory over the AFC in the 1984 NFL Pro Bowl played on January 29, 1984 at Aloha S

New York Giants quarterback Phil Simms (11) drops back to pass while the Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton (34) gets set to block him during Pro Bowl Games in Hawaii in 1986.

NFC running back Joe Morris of the New York Giants carries the football during the NFC's 28-24 victory over the AFC in the 1986 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 2, 1986 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

NFC New York Giants nose tackle Jim Burt (64) looks on during the 1987 NFL Pro Bowl football game between the AFC and the NFC on February 1, 1987 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The AFC won the game 10-6. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)

Denver Broncos quarterback John Elway (Hall of Fame Class of 2004) has his pass batted down by Giants defensive tackle Leonard Marshall (70) during the AFC's 10-6 victory over the NFC in the 1987 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 1, 1987 at Aloha Stadium.

New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Harry Carson signs autographs for fans at the NFL Pro Bowl, a 15-6 AFC victory on February 7, 1988, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

NFC linebacker Carl Banks of the New York Giants during the NFC's 15-6 loss to the AFC in the 1988 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 7, 1988 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

New York Giants safety Terry Kinard (43) picks off a pass during the NFL Pro Bowl, a 34-3 NFC victory on January 29, 1989, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

New York Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor (57) at the NFL Pro Bowl, a 27-21 NFC victory on February 4, 1990, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

NFC center Bart Oates of the New York Giants signs autographs for fans before the NFC's 23-21 loss to the AFC in the 1991 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 3, 1991 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

NFC punter Sean Landeta (5) of the New York Giants kicks the football away during the NFC's 23-21 loss to the AFC in the 1991 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 3, 1991 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

NFC tackle William Roberts of the New York Giants during the NFC's 23-21 loss to the AFC in the 1991 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 3, 1991 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

NFC cornerback Reyna Thompson (22) of the New York Giants and safety Mark Carrier (24) of the Chicago Bears line up opposite AFC punt team gunner Steve Tasker (89) of the Buffalo Bills during the NFC's 23-21 loss to the AFC in the 1991 NFL Pro Bowl.

NFC center Bart Oates (65) of the New York Giants sets to snap the football during the NFC's 21-15 victory over the AFC in the 1992 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 2, 1992 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Giants running back Rodney Hampton on Pro Bowl Media Day before the AFC's 23-20 overtime victory over the NFC in the 1993 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 7, 1993 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

NFC running back Rodney Hampton (27) of the New York Giants carries the football during the NFC's 17-3 victory over the AFC in the 1994 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 6, 1994 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan at photo day for the NFL Pro Bowl on January 31, 1998, at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

NFC defensive end Michael Strahan (92) of the New York Giants in action during the AFC's 29-24 victory over the NFC in the 1998 NFL Pro Bowl played on February 1, 1998 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)

AFC head coach Bill Belichick (facing camera) and NFC New York Giants running back Tiki Barber, who is retiring from pro football, embrace on the field following the Pro Bowl football game at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007.


Antonio Pierce #58 and Tiki Barber #21 of the New York Giants during pregame introductions as the AFC and NFC All-Stars compete in the 2007 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 10, 2007 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The AFC defeated the NFC 31-28. (AP Photo)

New York Giants defensive end Osi Umenyiora (72), of the NFC team, is introduced as the lone Super Bowl champion Giants player before the Pro Bowl football game in Honolulu, Sunday, Feb. 10, 2008.

New York Giants football players from left to right, Zak DeOssie (51), Eli Manning (10), Chris Snee (76), Justin Tuck (91), John Carney (5), Shaun O'Hara (60), and Jeff Feagles (18) pose for photos with hula dancers before an NFC practice.

NFC All-Stars Tiki Barber #21, Osi Umenyiora #72, David Tyree #85, and Michael Strahan #92 pose for a team photo

New York Giants wide receiver Steve Smith (12) celebrates a touchdown catch with tackle David Diehl (66) during first quarter of the NFL football Pro Bowl Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, in Miami. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)

New York Giants tackle David Diehl (66) talks to center Shaun O'Hara (60) during the NFL football Pro Bowl Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009, in Miami. (AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning, left, and New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, right, pose for photos with their dad Archie Manning, center, before Pro Bowl football practice in Kapolei, Hawaii, Friday Feb. 6, 200

NFC All-Stars quarterback Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants throws a pass against the AFC All-Stars in the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 8, 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NFC defeated the AFC 30-21. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)

NFC All-Stars punter Jeff Feagles #18 of the New York Giants punts the ball to the AFC All-Stars in the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 8, 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii. The NFC defeated the AFC 30-21. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)

NFC All-Stars place kicker John Carney #5 of the New York Giants kicks a fourth quarter field goal to give his team a 30-21 lead against the AFC All-Stars in the 2009 NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium on February 8, 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

New York Giants defensive end Justin Tuck flashes a Hawaiian "shaka" sign on the field before Pro Bowl NFL football game at Aloha Stadium, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, in Honolulu. (AP Photo/Marco Garcia)

New York Giants tackle David Diehl (66) points to a first down during the NFL football Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010, in Miami. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

New York Giants center Shaun O'Hara (60) of the National Football Conference NFC All-Stars during the 2010 NFL Pro Bowl, January 31, 2010 in Miami, Florida. The AFC won the game 41-34. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)

New York Giants guard Chris Snee (76) of the NFC plays in the NFL Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011 in Honolulu.

New York Giants long snapper Zak DeOssie (51) comes out on the field prior to the NFL AFC/NFC 2011 Pro Bowl on Sunday January 30, 2011 in Honolulu, HI. The NFC won the game 55-41. (AP Photo/ Jim Mahoney)

New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, left,, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, center, and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) share a laugh before the NFC team photo at the NFL Football Pro Bowl in Kapolei, Hawaii, Friday, Jan. 25, 2013.

New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) of the NFC breaks away from Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Robert Mathis (98) and Houston Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) of the AFC to score a touchdown in the second quarter of the NFL football Pro Bowl game in Honolulu, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013.

New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) of the NFC celebrates a touchdown reception by doing the salsa during the NFL Pro Bowl all-star football game at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii on January 27, 2013. The NFC defeated the AFC 62-35.

Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) of the AFC pulls down New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) of the NFC after Pierre-Paul made an interception during the forth quarter of the NFL Pro Bowl football game in Honolulu, Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013. The NFC beat the AFC 62-35.

New York Giants offensive lineman Chris Snee (76) of the NFC blocks at the line of scrimmage during the NFL Pro Bowl all-star football game, Sunday, January 27, 2013 in Honolulu. The NFC defeated the AFC 62-35.

New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle (26) of Team Rice before the start of the NFL Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium, Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014, in Honolulu.

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) hugs Michael Irvin after being selected by Team Irvin during the Pro Bowl draft at the Arizona Biltmore on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 in Phoenix, Arizona.

New York Giants' Odell Beckham shakes hands with young spectators before the NFL Football Pro Bowl Sunday, Jan. 25, 2015, in Glendale, Ariz.

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) of Team Irvin runs the ball as Denver Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib (21) of Team Carter defends during the 2015 NFL Pro Bowl game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on Sunday, January 25, 2015 in Glendale, AZ.

New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. (13), of Team Rice, makes a one handed catch following practice on Friday, Jan. 29, 2016, in Kahuku, Hawaii.

New York Giants Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (41) intercepts a pass intended for New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham, Jr. (13) during the NFL Pro Bowl football game, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) looks to pass during the NFL Pro Bowl football game, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu.

New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10), of Team Rice, celebrates after throwing a touchdown pass during an NFL Pro Bowl football game against Team Irvin on, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, in Honolulu.

New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (41) of Team Irvin returns an interception during an NFL Pro Bowl Game against Team Rice on January 31, 2016. Team Irvin defeated Team Rice 49-27.

New York Giants safety Landon Collins (21) runs upfield during the NFC football practice for the NFL Pro Bowl, Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 at Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

New York Giants Odell Beckham Jr. (13) competes in the Drone Drop event at the 2017 Pro Bowl Skills Challenge on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2017 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla.

AFC fullback Kyle Juszczyk (44), of the Baltimore Ravens, is tackled by NFC linebacker Anthony Barr (55), of the Minnesota Vikings, and defensive back Janoris Jenkins (20), of the New York Giants, after catching a pass during the first half of the NFL Pro Bowl football game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017.

New York Giants strong safety Landon Collins (21) lines up during the NFL Pro Bowl football game Sunday, Jan. 29, 2017, in Orlando, Fla.