The Eagles (3-4-1) are on the road to face the Giants (2-7) in an NFC East showdown on Sunday afternoon.
To the predictions:
Reuben Frank (4-4)
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I don’t have a good feeling about this game. I know the Eagles are getting guys back, the bye week came at the perfect time, and the Eagles never lose to the Giants. They've won eight straight and 19 of the last 23 against their division rivals. I know all that. I know the Giants are 2-7 and have the NFL’s 31st-ranked offense, and the Eagles are above .500 at 3-2-1 since Week 3. I still don't have a good feeling about this one. I don’t think the Eagles are very well-coached right now, they’re certainly not well-quarterbacked and although I like the matchup between the Eagles’ defense and the Giants’ offense, my gut instinct is to pick the Giants. They're playing better, especially defensively. But I’m going to ignore my gut instinct and pick the Eagles. I can't explain why. Maybe because it might be the last time I pick them until Christmas.
Eagles 24, Giants 23
Dave Zangaro (3-5)
On one hand, the Giants are an improving team. They’re well-coached, they have a good defense and they have playmakers on offense as long as Daniel Jones doesn’t turn the football over. They have been playing everyone close recently and they finally picked up a win against Washington last week. So they’re riding high.
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On the other hand, the Eagles are getting healthy. They got Dallas Goedert and Jalen Reagor back before the bye week and are getting even more pieces back after the bye. That offense was down to two starters not that long ago but it’s starting to look like a real offense again … as long as Carson Wentz plays a little better. This is probably going to be a close game that comes down to the fourth quarter but I think the Eagles are just a slightly better team. And they better win this one with the gauntlet creeping up on the schedule.
Eagles 24, Giants 21
Ray Didinger (4-4)
OK, how's this for a prediction: It's going to be close. The last five Giants games were decided by three points, two points, one point, one point and three points. It is the first time in Giants history (which goes back almost a century) that they played five consecutive games all decided by three points or less.
One of those games was the 22-21 loss to the Eagles last month. The Giants led that game 21-10 with 6:17 to go but the Eagles pulled it out on two late touchdown drives led by Carson Wentz. It was not a well played game -- the teams committed 16 penalties and they were seven for 23 on third down conversions -- but the Eagles found a way to win. They have won the last eight meetings between the teams.
The Giants are the one NFC East team that seems to be improving as the season goes along and, even at 2-7, they are starting to think about winning the division. Rookie head coach Joe Judge has the Giants believing and playing hard. This game will come down to the two quarterbacks Wentz and Daniel Jones and which one makes the fewest mistakes. Flip a coin.
Eagles 20, Giants 17
Barrett Brooks (4-4)
The calvary is coming and it's perfect timing to launch this Eagles team into the second half of this season. Significant players are getting back into the lineup. Against the Giants, 4/5th of the starting offensive line from last year will be ready on Sunday. Miles Sanders is arguably the best player on offense and this will be huge for play calling. Good OL play, with the added possibility of a home-run RB, will have Giants DC Patrick Graham sweating.
But, ultimately, Carson Wentz will lead this team to a division crown or to watching from the couch, for the first time in three years. There are no more excuses for Carson. He has the OL, weapons at RB, TE, and speed at WR. These weapons just need to be managed and pointed in the right direction! I hope the bye week gave Carson a chance to decompress and get away from football. The bye week was perfect at the halfway point. This was a well-needed break, but Wentz must be held accountable from this point forward. The second half of this season is totally on his shoulders!
Defensively, Eagles DC Jim Schwartz will heat Giants QB Danial Jones. Jones is second in the NFL in turnovers. I believe Schwartz has gained a lot more confidence in his defensive backs’ ability to cover in blitzing situations. He has become more aggressive this season. I have complete confidence in the defense stepping up against this Giants team. This game will not be as close as the first game 2 ½ weeks ago. Even though I think the Giants have gotten a lot better this season, the Eagles have recently made it a point to beat them. This Sunday will be no different.
Eagles 32 Giants 21
Mike Mulhern (4-4)
If the Eagles simply win their final three division games, they’ll likely back their way into an NFC East crown with a six-win season. But there’s so much more at stake for the franchise over these final eight games. First and foremost, Carson Wentz must play like the quarterback they’re paying him to be. He’s been one of the worst passers in the league statistically, but he’s had some built-in excuses, most notably the injuries around him. That ceases on Sunday. Wentz will have a full arsenal of young weapons at the ready, and a nearly-in-tact offensive line.
Wentz shouldn’t have to try and put everything on his own shoulders. I think he’ll take better care of the ball while still making enough big plays to sweep the season series against the Giants. But keep in mind the Eagles were an Evan Engram drop away from losing the first matchup. In fact, over their last five games, the Giants have beaten Washington twice and lost three times by a combined six points. I expect another close one in the Meadowlands.
Eagles 27, Giants 24
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