Ben McAdoo’s New York Giants (0-2) clown show rolls into eastern Pennsylvania to perform in front of the resurgent Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) Sunday.
The game will be broadcast on your local FOX station at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (-6)
O/U: 42.5
The History
This is one of the NFL’s oldest rivalries, dating back to 1933, and it’s nearly dead even. The Giants and Eagles have faced off 168 times with New York holding an 85-81-2 advantage.
From October, 1938 to November, 1942, the Giants won nine consecutive games over Philadelphia, their longest win streak in the rivalry.
The Eagles eclipsed that mark three and a half decades later when they won 12 straight from November, 1975 to September, 1981.
The two teams have met in the playoffs four times, with an even 2-2 record. The Eagles have won the last two playoff match ups, 23-20 in 2007 and 23-11 in 2009.
NEW YORK GIANTS (0-2)
While we can sometimes be fooled by what we see in the NFL preseason, the Giants didn’t pull the wool over anyone’s eyes. Their offense sucked ass in August and, if anything, it’s even worse in September. Enter McAdoo, who knows how to fix everything by blaming the best quarterback in the entire franchise’s history. He’s a dumbass.
Eli Manning can only run the plays he’s given, but even then he’s not been on point this season. Last week against the Detroit Lions he completed 22 of 32 of his passes for 239 yards, one touchdown and one pick, but can’t seem to get in sync with his receivers, especially newcomer Brandon Marshall who’s been a total waste of a roster spot so far.
Odell Beckham Jr. should play more this week and that will open up the offense, but New York really needs a running game and with their under-performing offensive line, can’t seem to produce one. That doesn’t mean they won’t keep trying, even when they’re down by two touchdowns with two minutes to go in the game. Again, Ben McAdoo is a dumbass.
With the offense floundering, weaknesses have shown up in a previously strong defense. Top cornerback Janoris Jenkins will likely sit out again, leaving Eli Apple to cover Alshon Jeffery in what should be a mismatch.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-1)
The Eagles were in a slugfest with the Kansas City Chiefs until the bitter end last week, which bodes well for their long term prospects this season. Facing a ferocious pass rush and one of the best secondaries in the league, second year quarterback Carson Wentz completed 25 of 46 of his passes for 333 yards, two touchdowns and a pick. His favorite targets were tight end Zach Ertz and Jeffery. Ertz caught five passes for 97 yards and Jeffery had seven grabs for 92 yards and a TD.
Philadelphia had no running game to speak of against Kansas City and really needs to get it going Sunday to keep Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon from teeing off on Wentz. Wentz is plenty mobile himself and actually led the Eagles in rushing last week with four carries for 55 yards. Philly spent too much money to bring in LaGarette Blount to see that shit again.
The Eagles created a lot of pressure with their front seven on Alex Smith, sacking him four times and recording seven tackles for a loss. If they put up that same kind of performance Sunday, Manning will be picking grass out of his helmet all day.
The Pick
Ben McAdoo seems to be in a race with Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano on who will be fired first this season. My money is still on Pagano, but McAdoo is a rising star in the soon to be unemployed coaches club. He’s going to make it interesting. Manning is in the back nine of his career and needs a real offensive coach that can actually design NFL level plays to get this offense going. Maybe it’ll be Josh McDaniels next year. Eagles 27, Giants 16
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 11-5
Against the spread: 8-8
Season
Straight up: 21-10
Against the spread: 16-15
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