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Players to watch vs. Eagles
Keep an eye on these players as the Giants face the Eagles Sunday

WR VICTOR CRUZNo player has scored more touchdowns against the Eagles since 2011 than Victor Cruz. Nor has the Giants receiver caught more touchdowns against any other opponent. Cruz broke into the NFL against the Eagles two seasons ago and will try to add to his five career touchdowns against the NFC East rival on Sunday. "We have to go out there and take care of business on the road," said Cruz, whose Giants have lost eight straight road games. "We just enjoy that. Coach Coughlin always preaches road warriors, so we have to go out there and perform on the road. That's the only way you're going to have some success in this league."

LB JON BEASONThe proven veteran has added a new element to the Giants defense and has racked up 21 tackles in two starts since joining the team midseason. Beason has been a big reason for the Giants' success against premier running backs, which has been a major improvement from last season. They have another tough test coming up against LeSean McCoy, the NFL's leading rusher. "It's a big stage, man," Beason said this week. "Everybody knows about the Giants. You're on prime time all the time, the media coverage is No. 1 and when you do well, things get magnified and when you do bad, things are the same. You know what, great players like that. They like that pressure. That's what being a Giant is. You 're supposed to uphold a certain level of performance."

C JIM CORDLEThe third-year pro has taken over as the Giants' starting center in place of David Baas, who was placed on season-ending injured reserve this week. Cordle is in line to make his fourth career start - all of which have come this season - and looks to solidify an offensive line that has seen its share of shuffling this season. "Cordle has been a man who's ready to go and he's demonstrated that many times this year," Giants coach Tom Coughlin said Friday. "He never knows when he's going to be called upon, such as last week, and all of a sudden, 'boom,' he's in the game for the majority of the game. He's done that on a number of occasions and whether he knows he's going to start and play or whether he doesn't, he's prepared and that's the best thing you can say about him."

PUNT TEAMFor special teams coordinator Tom Quinn, the worst thing about the Giants allowing their third punt return for a touchdown this season was not the fact that the other 31 NFL teams have combined to give up four. It was that they denied the defense a shutout in Monday night's 23-7 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. There is a talented returner to plan for every week in the NFL these days, and the Eagles, who have a history with the Giants on special teams, are up next. "It's always something different, so you're shuffling guys in and out and trying to find solutions that way," Quinn said when asked what his group's issues are. "There are not that many guys to do that with. They've all been different circumstances and it just hasn't been good enough for anyone. We're all embarrassed by it."

RB PEYTON HILLISLike Beason, Hillis has been another midseason addition to make an immediate impact on the team. A few days after signing with the Giants, Hillis rushed 18 times for 36 yards on Monday night and added another 45 yards on five receptions. With the Giants' backfield still banged up, Hillis will again shoulder the workload with rookie Michael Cox. "It was shocking and surreal at the same time because a week ago I wasn't doing anything and then I was on Monday Night Football carrying the ball," Hillis said. "I'm very thankful and I'm very blessed to be put in this situation and to have the coaches rely on me."