The Eagles are coming off a close loss against the Baltimore Ravens to take on the New York Giants in Thursday Night Football.
The teams enter with a combined record of 2-9-1, yet both teams could still easily win the division. Both teams have been decimated by key injuries and will have to make the most of what they have.
The Giants are coming off their first win of the year, while the Eagles haven’t won in two weeks.
Which underperforming team will be able to secure a major divisional victory?
Let’s examine both teams.
Philadelphia Eagles (1-4-1):
Carson Wentz continues to struggle with turnovers. Wentz has nine interceptions this year, and he has fumbled the ball away a few times, as well.
Travis Fulgham has been a consistent star for the Eagles. Fulgham has a touchdown in three-straight games, and he is the leading receiver for the Eagles and shouldering a lot of the load for the Eagles’ offense.
Defensively, the Eagles continue to give up too many points. The Eagles’ defensive low for points given up this season is 23, and they have given up 30+ points in 50% of their games this year.
With the Eagles’ offense struggling and the Eagles’ defense failing to slow down opposing teams, the Eagles are getting outscored at an alarming rate.
New York Giants (1-5):
Daniel Jones is carrying the Giants’ offense. Jones is the leading passer and rusher for the Giants, and without Saquon Barkley, the fate of the offense rests solely on his shoulders.
Devonta Freeman came in during this season to bolster the Giants’ rushing game, but he hasn’t added much. With a season high of just 61 yards rushing yards, Freeman has not been an explosive catalyst for this struggling unit.
Darius Slayton will be a focal point for the Eagles’ defense. Slayton is the leading receiver for the Giants with 406 receiving yards, which is over two times more than the next receiver.
The Eagles need to find a way to stop Slayton because he has the ability to burn the Eagles’ porous secondary.
Defensively, the Giants are No. 21 passing yards allowed (1,223) and are No. 13 in rushing yards allowed (639). The Eagles offense does have some playmakers, so the Giants will need to be sure they can hold these weapons back.
Prediction
Eagles win 27-13, Eagles (-4.5), Under 43.5
Neither team has a dependable offense or defense, and it’s very difficult to get a good understanding of either team right now. The Giants have more recent success, but the Eagles have looked just a little more solid all season long.
I think this game is a toss-up, and it’s crazy to think that the winner of this game has a good shot of making the playoffs. Neither team has done much to earn any respect.
In the end, I think the Eagles have more playmakers, and they have more potential. Fulgham should continue with the success he has been enjoying.
I think Jones and Slayton will be able to connect a few times and carve up the Eagles’ defense, but it won’t be enough.
I like the Eagles to win big, cover the spread and keep the game under 43.5 points.
Eric Fenstermaker 