An inside look at Sunday Giants-Eagles Game Week 18 in Philadelphia.
Marquee Match
Eagles RB Miles Sanders vs. Eagles RB Giants MLB Jaylon Smith
It won’t be a one-on-one showdown, of course, but these are the star players in the ground battle with the Eagles on offense. Sanders tore through the Giants four weeks ago for 144 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 17 attempts, averaging 8.5 yards per carry.
Sanders was Saquon Barkley’s backup for two years at Penn State, and Sanders isn’t far behind Barkley this season. Sanders is fifth in the NFL with 1,236 yards; Barkley is fourth at 1,312. Smith has at least stabilized the position, but the Giants’ run defense has been unreliable. Smith needs help from whoever lines up on the defensive line.
Paul’s Choice
The Eagles were 13-1 before Jalen Hurts was injured, and they outscored the Giants on Dec. 21. 11. There will be substitutes on the pitch for the visiting team, so expect plenty of achievements from the home side. Prevention is better than cure for the Giants in the playoffs.
Eagles 31, Giants 13
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Missing link: The Giants will enter trailing an eight-game losing streak at the Linc, their least favorite building in the league. They haven’t won in Philadelphia since the 2013 season. The idea of slacking off against a divisional opponent — a rival that has dominated the series in recent years — doesn’t sit well with anyone associated with or rooting for the Giants. That’s why the Week 18 scenario is more than a little uncomfortable for head coach Brian Daboll and the franchise. The Eagles are 15-4 against the Giants in the last 19 games.
Unknown faces: Prepare to watch several players who previously received little to no action. Inside linebacker Jarrad Davis was drafted Dec. 28 from the Lions practice squad and was inactive for last week’s game. The Lions’ 2017 first-round pick features to make his Giants debut in this game. Can he do enough to get playing time in the next playoff game? Expect to see a whole bunch of Justin Ellis and Henry Mondeaux on the defensive line, Rodarius Williams and Cor’Dale Flott at cornerback, and a healthy dose of offensive substitutes Matt Peart, Tire Phillips and Jack Anderson.
“You only have a limited number of players on your roster, so whoever plays there will be a good opportunity for them,” Daboll said, “whether it’s guys who have played a lot or guys who didn’t.”
Collect: The point here isn’t to be mean or sarcastic or to kick someone when they’re down, but there’s no getting around that: it’s kind of fun. Kenny Golladay can cash in an incentive bonus of $750,000 if he gets 10 touchdowns in this game. Or if he gets 76 receptions. Or if he finds his way to 1,149 receiving yards. Golladay has significant incentives in his four-year, $72 million contract if he has 80 receptions, 1,200 receiving yards or 10 touchdowns this season.
In 16 games, he caught four passes for 51 yards and didn’t set foot in the end zone. This will be his last match for the Giants. It’s remarkable that the Giants made the playoffs with little or no input from Golladay, Kadarius Toney (traded), Sterling Shepard (injured) and rookie Wan’Dale Robinson (injured).
Just for fun: No matter how many reserves Daboll decides to use, there will be no replacement for Graham Gano. He is finishing his third year with the Giants, another sensational season. He’s 28 for 31 on field goal attempts, and his misses have come from 47 yards (the kick was blocked), 37 yards and 58 yards. He is 8 for 9 on kicks of 50 yards or more. Daboll knows that in a tight game, the Giants usually have the advantage with their placekicker.
“It’s huge for us,” said special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey. It’s a weapon. You’re blessed to know that anytime once you’re past 50 and enter that realm where he feels comfortable, that’s huge. ”
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