The New York Giants come into this game looking for redemption after last year’s special teams meltdown, while the Philadelphia Eagles are trying to show everyone that they are the team to beat in the NFC East. After losing to the Washington Redskins in week one, the Giants are under a lot of pressure to win this divisional matchup. Meanwhile, the Eagles are trying to get back on the winning road, after letting a fourth quarter ten-point lead slip against the Atlanta Falcons.
Both of these teams have significant injury concerns, with Eagles quarterback Michael Vick and Giants wide receiver Mario Manningham both recovering from concussions that they sustained last week. Defensive ends Osi Umenyiora, Darryl Tapp and Juqua Parker are also doubtful for this one.
New York will certainly be at an advantage if Vick can’t go but, but on his second NFL drive, Mike Kafka was a perfect seven of eight, with his only incompletion coming off of a dropped fourth down pass; so don’t count out the Eagles even if their franchise signal caller isn’t able to suit up.
Here are three other match ups to keep an eye on in this game:
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1) Cullen Jenkins vs Chris Snee
This marquee matchup is certain to have a significant impact on the result of the game. Cullen Jenkins, our best interior pass rusher over the past three years, seems tailor made for defensive line coach Jim Washburn’s wide nine scheme. He has already amassed three sacks, two hits and five pressures on just 59 rushes. Furthermore, he’s been exceptional against the run (+3.2), penetrating consistently to disrupt plays in the backfield.
The man that he’ll be primarily matched up against has had nearly as impressive a start to the season. Snee has only allowed one hit on 72-drop-backs, and he’s also won the majority of battles in the trenches against solid run defenders like Fred Robbins and Adam Carriker.
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2) Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin vs. Corey Webster and Aaron Ross/Michael Coe
Week one was Desean Jackson’s chance to shine, as he had six catches on ten targets for 102 yards and a touchdown. Fast forward a week, and Jeremy Maclin has become the team’s primary target as he amassed 13 receptions on 15 targets for 171 yards and two touchdowns. Even when opposing defences are able to shut one of these players down, the other one is almost sure to produce a big game.
The likelihood that the Giants' secondary will be able to contain these two receivers is slim. Corey Webster has struggled so far this year, allowing ten of 21 targets for 147 yards, a touchdown and he only has two pass deflections. Meanwhile, Aaron Ross has arguably been worse, giving up ten of 15 targets for 237 yards, a touchdown and only has three pass deflections. The former first round pick was even benched at one point against the Rams, and the man who came in for him, Michael Coe, was quickly exposed, allowing two completions for 30 yards and a touchdown on just 12 snaps in coverage and four targets his way.
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3) Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs vs Casey Matthews, Jamar Chaney and Moise Fokou
New York’s running backs have already forced 15 combined missed tackles, with Ahmad Bradshaw accounting for eight of them, while Brandon Jacobs has seven. The elusive New York running backs are bound to cause problems for Philly’s linebackers, who have struggled to make tackles in their first two games of the season. Both Moise Fokou and Jamar Chaney have missed two tackles apiece, while Casey Matthews has missed one. In addition to having problems tackling ball carriers, all three of them have struggled in coverage as well. Matthews has allowed four of five completions for 28 yards and a touchdown, while Chaney, who is supposedly the Eagles best cover linebacker, has allowed ten of 13 completions for 88 yards and a touchdown.
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