The 1-4-1 Eagles are now 0.5 games behind the Cowboys after the Cardinals win over the Dallas team on Monday night. Up next, a Thursday night date with the 1-5 New York Giants.
The Giants got their first win last week versus the Washington team, moving them one game behind the Cowboys for the division lead.
What a division.
2019 Ranks:
- Yards per game: 338.5 (23rd)
- Passing yards per game: 233.2 (18th)
- Rushing yards per game: 105.3 (19th)
- Points per game: 21.3 (T-18th)
- Yards allowed per game: 377.3 (25th)
- Passing yards allowed per game: 264.1 (28th)
- Rushing yards allowed per game: 113.3 (20th)
- Points allowed per game: 28.2 (30th)
- Turnover differential: -17 (T-32nd)
Key arrivals:
HC Joe Judge, OC Jason Garrett, T Andrew Thomas (draft), S Xavier McKinney (draft), S Logan Ryan (free agency), CB James Bradberry (free agency), LB Blake Martinez (free agency), RB Dion Lewis (free agency), K Graham Gano (free agency), DB Logan Ryan (free agency)
Key departures:
CB DeAndre Baker (released because he’s a felon), K Aldrick Rosas (see Baker), S Antoine Bethea (released), LB Alec Ogletree (released), RB Saquon Barkley (injury)
2020 Ranks:
- Yards per game: 275.3 (T-last)
- Passing yards per game: 187.5 (30th)
- Rushing yards per game: 87.8 (30th)
- Points per game: 16.8 (31st)
- Yards allowed per game: 342.0 (12th)
- Passing yards allowed per game: 235.5 (16th)
- Rushing yards allowed per game: 106.5 (8th)
- Points allowed per game: 26.2 (16th)
- Turnover differential: -2 (23rd)
Pass me a bottle, Mr. Jones
That’s what many Giants fans may be saying after watching Daniel Jones play the last two seasons.
After leading the league in fumbles (18) in his rookie year, he has already coughed it up four times. Well, he’s fumbled six times and recovered two of them.
This season, Jones hasn’t shown much in terms of defending his 6th overall selection. He’s had at least one turnover in every game except one since being drafted.
According to Next Gen Stats, his completed air yards is tied with Wentz at 5.8 yards (T-17th fewest) and his attempted air yards is 6.9 [nice] (31st out of 38 measured QBs).
He’s top 7 in aggressive throw percentage, but it hasn’t amounted to much. His longest completed air yards of 46.3 is 28th and is evidence of a lack of a deep ball and/or threat.
His passes are averaging -1.9 to the sticks, which means he’s averaging throws almost two yards short of the sticks. Wentz is -.1.
The Eagles secondary needs to take advantage of a banged-up wide receivers corps and a quarterback who isn’t throwing deep.
#47 really has no excuse to struggle in this game.
Defensive Line show
The Giants offensive line is last in run blocking and 19th in pass protection, per Football Outsiders. The Giants OL is accounting for only 3.2 YPC, not much worse than the Eagles’ 3.93, but still very bad.
Running backs are being stuffed at the line or behind the line of scrimmage 23% of the time, tied for last with the Broncos. If the Eagles defensive line can’t dominate this offensive line, when will they?
We’ve barely heard Fletcher Cox’s name this season, as well as newcomer Javon Hargrave. With Malik Jackson out a few weeks, the two big-money DTs need to make their presence felt.
Brandon Graham is doing Brandon Graham things, he’s one of three players (Aaron Donald & Za’Darius Smith) with at least five sacks and six tackles for loss. Josh Sweat has three sacks, one away from his career-high set last season. Barnett has 2.5, while seven other members of the defensive line have combined for 7.5.
This is the game they need to dominate. They need to have another New York Jets game. If they don’t, then they may not have a better chance. (Ok, maybe against the Cowboys).
For history and predictions, check out the next page!
