There is no team in any sport that I despise more than the New York Giants. If the Giants were in a game against North Korea, I would be wearing a North Korea #1 jersey with “Jong-Il” on the back. And, tonight is not just a huge game for me and my hatred of the Giants, but for the race in the NFC East. If the Eagles lose and fall 3 games back plus a loss head-to-head, it’s bad. Plus, it will make the Eagles 0-3 in the division, including two home losses. Big game. So, after talking to the resident BSB Giants fan, Stri, I have come up with my keys to the game.
- Stop Brandon Jacobs: Stri made the good point about his burly running back. He said that it isn’t even about the yards that Jacobs gains, but he is just as important in making the opposing defense tired. I like this for the Eagles because of the long rotation of defensive linemen, but I worry if Jacobs has a couple runs into the secondary and forces the DBs to make tackles.
- Protect McNabb: Obviously, the Giants’ defense is predicated upon getting pressure on the quarterback. It is imperative, tonight, that the Eagles protect McNabb, so that he can work the below-average Giants’ secondary.
- Use Westbrook early and often in the passing game, including as a decoy: The Giants linebackers are relatively slow–they are great run-stopping linebackers, but they do not cover that well. Which means that the Giants will probably have to use a safety to cover Westbrook–still a mismatch–which should open it up for the now-healthy receiving corps.
- Stop Plaxico: The eternal malcontent, Plaxico Burress, absolutely destroys the Eagles. Hopefully, Asante Samuel will be the difference this time around, but no matter how it’s done, the Eagles have to contain Plax.
- Score touchdowns in the red zone: This could be a key to any game the Eagles play, but especially in a game between two evenly-matched teams that despise each other. Momentum may be the difference tonight, so when you have the team down, you’ve got to finish them off.
Either way, I hate the Giants so much, and everyone on ESPN Sunday Countdown just picked the Giants, except Chris Berman–uh oh, it might be an angry night for Yours Truly.
