Eagles (2-3) vs. Giants (3-2)
8:30 p.m. on ESPN
Eagles favored by 5
The Eagles are winners of two of their last three and trying to get back to .500 on Monday night. They’re also in search of their first victory over a division opponent in a pivotal Week 6 showdown against the New York Giants at the Linc.
A loss would drop the Eagles to 0-3 in the division and greatly reduce their chances of making the playoffs. A win, on the other hand, vaults the squad into first place. Clearly, there’s a lot at stake.
1. Huge test for Murray
The Eagles' offensive line was finally able to get DeMarco Murray going last week. The reigning NFL rushing champion posted by far his most productive outing with his new team, carrying the football 20 times for 83 yards and a touchdown.
Then again, that was at the expense of a soft New Orleans Saints run defense (see All-22 film review). Murray may find fewer holes against a stout Giants front. New York ranks second in the NFL in yards per game (80.6) and per attempt (3.5). The unit has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher this season.
Adding pressure on Murray is the possibility the Eagles could be without Ryan Mathews. Officially, Mathews is listed as questionable on the injury report, though he was a full participant in Saturday’s practice. He’ll likely go, but it will be interesting to see if he’s limited or held back in any way.
Regardless, the Eagles' ground attack is hoping to build on its improved performance, and it would go a long way if Murray continues to gain momentum.
NFL
2. Eli at his very best
On three separate occasions, Eli Manning has led the NFL in interceptions, including as recently as 2013 with 27. He’s finished top three in fumbles a pair of times as well. Manning can always point to the quarterback’s two Super Bowl rings, but it would be fair to say he was always mistake prone.
Not anymore. Hard as it may be to believe at the age of 34, Manning has evolved. After posting the second-lowest interception percentage of his career last season — 2.3 percent — the 12th-year veteran has been more efficient than ever, throwing just two picks through five games. He’s lost only one fumble as well, and has been sacked just four times for a loss of five yards.
All of which has aided Manning’s spectacular 100.2 passer rating in 2015, which would be a new personal best.
Manning simply doesn’t make many errors these days, no matter which receivers are on the field. Some of the credit belongs to offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo and the offense he’s implemented, but it’s Manning executing the system at an extremely high level.
One thing is certain, and that is the Giants will challenge an Eagles defense that entered the week ranked fourth in the NFL in takeaways this season (more on Manning here).
3. Giant injury issues
The Eagles will be without wide receiver Nelson Agholor, defensive end Branond Bair and linebackers Kiko Alonso and Mychal Kendricks on Monday. However, that’s nothing compared to a laundry list of questionables and outs on the Giants' injury report.
Cornerback Prince Amukamara, linebacker Devon Kennard and Pro Bowl wide receiver Victor Cruz are all ruled out. Veteran linebacker Jon Beason, defensive end Robert Ayers and phenom wideout Odell Beckham Jr. are all questionable, which means 50-50 to dress for the game. All six are starters.
Jonathan Casillas and Trumaine McBride — key reserves at linebacker and at corner, respectively — are questionable as well.
Needless to say, the Giants are going to be shorthanded for this contest, and by exactly how much still remains to be seen. This could prove to be a golden opportunity for the Eagles.
4. Follow Sam’s lead
Last week, Sam Bradford was the talk of the Eagles' locker room after motivating the offense with a pregame speech. It worked, as the unit moved the ball well for four quarters and even rallied behind the quarterback after a pair of red-zone interceptions.
Yet Bradford didn’t just lead off the way of the field in the win over the Saints — he led on it as well. Yes, there were the two picks, but the sixth-year veteran kept the sticks moving all day, passing for 18 first downs alone. Even with the turnovers, it was easily his most complete game in an Eagles uniform yet, completing 71.1 percent of his attempts for 333 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
The ability to pull his unit and get everybody on the same page is promising, but his performance on the field was even more encouraging. If Bradford can come out for four quarters and move the offense the way he did last week, the offense is more likely to respond with more confidence, much the way it did against the Saints.
There should be opportunities for Bradford and the wide receivers in the passing game this week against the NFL’s last-ranked pass defense (see scouting report).
5. Blackout
Last season, almost one year ago to the day, the Eagles debuted their all-black uniforms for a Sunday night matchup against the Giants in front of a fired-up home crowd at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles went on to win that game by a final of 27-0.
Once again, the Eagles will be dressed in all black on Monday night, and fans are encouraged to dress in black as well. Will the look continue to bring the team luck?
Only time will tell, but it worked once before — and it certainly can’t hurt anything.
The blackout is on at 8:30.