The Eagles and Giants enter their Week 7 matchup with trepidation. Both teams have a boatload of problems, ones threatening to capsize the dinghy of hope floating in their respective oceans. Ahoy!
The key difference is that Philadelphia (3-2) actually had Super Bowl aspirations going into the 2024 campaign, while New York (2-4) was never supposed to be very good — especially not after the Giants allowed top playmaker Saquon Barkley to sign with the rival Eagles. Yet, two days away from kickoff in The Meadowlands, the game is expected to be a close one. The Eagles are miniscule road favorites at -3, with the over/under set at 43. Anything can happen.
Meanwhile, head coach Nick Sirianni has been in the eye of the storm. His job security has been an ongoing talking point through the first six games as he continues to navigate a maelstrom of ineptitude, a gale warning he helped create through his actions and words. Sirianni remains at sea despite the tossing and turning.
“All my focus and energy is on this football team and how we get better today,” Sirianni told reporters. “That’s all my energy can be focused on, is how we go out there today. We’re still in meetings. We’re having a little break right now, and we’ll go back to meetings, and it’s going to have to be high, high detail in meetings. That starts with me as the coach, putting them in every position that they possible can be in. And then full speed to the snap in walkthrough.”
Eagles vs. Giants: 5 Key Players to Watch
Saquon Barkley
It starts and ends with the $37.75 million running back who has been worth every penny despite somewhat limited usage at times. Barkley has already rushed for 482 yards, highlighted by his ability to absorb and run through contact. The Eagles are averaging 2.56 yards after contact in 2024, up from 2.36 in 2023. Now, the Pro Bowler sets his sights on the Giants — the team that wholly disrespected him, letting him walk to a division rival in free agency — and it is very much personal, whether Barkley wants to publicly admit it or not. “It will be interesting … I don’t have to prove anything to them,” he said earlier this week.
Quinyon Mitchell
The rookie first rounder out of Toledo has been the brightest spot on the dark side of the moon. He’s been a terror in pass coverage, locking up veteran receivers and swatting balls out of the air with ease. Mitchell has been credited with six pass breakups as he searches for his first career interception. This could be the week he finally gets it. The young cornerback will likely be tasked with slowing down Giants star rookie Mailk Nabers who has turned into Daniel Jones’ favorite target. In the slot or on the outside, wherever Nabers lines up, look for Mitchell to track his every move.
Grant Calcaterra
There is no denying real chemistry between the third-year tight end and Jalen Hurts who were brief teammates in college. With Dallas Goedert injured, Calcaterra will be the top tight end and it’s a role he started prepping for last week to the tune of four catches for 67 yards. He has flashed potential. He has moved the chains. And he has the complete trust of his quarterback. “Grant was the top tight end coming out of California at a time, so he’s always been a guy,” Hurts said earlier this week.
Fred Johnson
He takes over for Jordan Mailata, not an enviable task. Johnson (6-foot-7, 327 pounds) is more than serviceable, a six-year veteran with nine career starts under his belt, although no one is going to mistake him for a franchise left tackle. He has allowed two sacks while committing two penalties (via Pro Football Focus) on 124 snaps so far this season. If Johnson should struggle, don’t be surprised to see the Eagles swap Mekhi Becton over to left tackle.
Bryce Huff
The high-priced free agent has been an utter disappointment through the first five games. Yes, he did register half a sack last week against Cleveland but don’t go fitting him for a Gold Jacket. It was an easy layup, helped out immensely by the aggression of Zack Baun and Jalen Carter. Huff went on record earlier this week saying he prefers rushing the quarterback out of a four-point stance … hopefully, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio heard that message and takes it to heart. The Eagles need sacks.
Mandatory credit: REUTERS/Carla Carniel
