Look up the word tossup in the dictionary. You might see a picture of an Eagles-Giants contest.
The Birds make the trip up the New Jersey Turnpike for a rare 1 p.m. affair. All that's on the line is the catbird seat at the top of the NFC East and the likely inside path to the playoffs. The loser of this game very well may find themselves outside looking in at the NFL playoff party.
I see this game coming down to one simple issue. Can the Eagles stop the Giants vaunted rushing attack? If they can pull off a repeat of their earlier season job of bottling up Brandon Jacobs and his pal Ahmad Bradshaw, forcing the game into Eli Manning's hands, I like their chances. If they Giants run wild, they get the win.
The Giants feature the league's fourth-best rushing attack, and both Jacobs and Bradshaw went over the 100-yard mark last week.
We'll see what kind of game plan Sean McDermott can come up with to blunt the Giants' run game, doing so without a key cog, middle linebacker Stewart Bradley, who is out for the season.
MIchael Vick will do his thing, and he will get the better of Manning, whose passes always seem to flutter in the fickle winter winds of North Jersey.
Speaking of the wind, that is another crucial factor in this contest. David Akers has had a spectacular career as the Eagles place kicker, but he always struggles with the wind here. That will be a factor Sunday.
I don't see the Eagles banged-up defense shutting down the Giants running game. Look for Akers to miss another couple of kicks, as the Eagles lose a heartbreaker.
I hope I'm wrong, but I have to go with th G-Men.
Make it Giants 24, Eagles 23.
Last Week: I was on the money as the Birds throttled the Cowboys on another national TV game. Best thing about the win? Seeing the Eagles run the ball down the Cowboys' throats to end the game, something they have been unable to do for years.
Season Record: I am at 9-4, neck and neck with the Eagles as they face another crucial game. Is there anoher kind at this time of the year?
Comments