This should be an interesting game as these two teams split during the regular season.  The Eagles outscored the Giants 60-52 in the two games these teams played against each other.  The Giants have thrown the ball really well against the Eagles this season as Eli Manning has hit 71.1% of his passes for 653 yards with 3 TDs and 3 INTs in the two games.  The Eagles have done a good job bottling up Tiki Barber as he carried the ball 40 times for 126 yards (3.2 ypc) and a TD.  He also caught 12 passes for 86 yards.  Plaxico Burress has caught 12 passes for 234 yards (19.5 avg) and a TD against the Eagles.  Jeremy Shockey also was busy with 10 grabs for 87 yards in the games.

The Eagles passes well in the games against the Giants.  McNabb threw for 350 yards in the first meeting and Jeff Garcia passes for 237 yards in the second game.  The Giants run defense had problems against Brian Westbrook as he carried the ball 38 times for 165 yards (4.3 ypc) with 3 TD runs.  He also caught 12 passes for 96 yards.  TE LJ Smith did well against the Giants with 11 grabs for 165 yards.  Donte’ Stallworth (6 rec, 86 yards, TD) and Reggie Brown (5 rec, 100 yards, 2 TDs) both played well against the Giants.

Look for the Giants to switch gears in this game and feed the rock to Tiki Barber.  Barber has carried the ball 327 times this season for 1,662 yards (5.1 ypc) with 5 TD runs.  Look for Brandon Jacobs in the short and goal line situations as he has 423 yards rushing (4.4 ypc) with 9 TD runs.  The Eagles run defense is allowing 136.4 yards rushing and 4.5 yards per carry this season.  Jeremiah Trotter will be the main guy chasing Barber and Jacobs around as he piled up 112 tackles this season.  Eli Manning (3,244 yards passing) should play well against the Eagles, but he must be careful around Brian Dawkins (93 tackles, 4 interceptions) and Lito Sheppard (6 INTs) who are big-time playmakers in the secondary.  Plaxico Burress (63 rec, 988 yards, 10 TDs) has done major damage to the Eagles this season so look for them to seriously consider doubling him alot.  Jeremy Shockey (66 rec, 623 yards, 7 TDs) should be ready to go after missing last week’s game and the Giants need him to loosen up the middle of the field. 

Jeff Garcia has been outstanding for the Eagles this season and look for him to attack the Giants down the field.  The Giants allow 228.1 net yards passing per game, so the Eagles should be able to get their passing game going.  Look for LJ Smith (50 rec, 611 yards) and Brian Westbrook (77 rec, 699 yards) to handle the short stuff.  As soon as the Giants sneak up to stop the short stuff, look for the Eagles to throw the ball deep to Donte’ Stallworth and Reggie Brown.  The Eagles also should have success running the ball as the Giants allow 114.4 yards rushing per game.  Brian Westbrook (1,217 yards rushing, 5.1 ypc, 7 TDs) and Correll Buckhalter should have decent games on the ground.  The Giants LB Antonio Pierce (137 tackles) will be chasing the Eagles’ backs all over the field.

The special teams for the Giants have been o.k. this season.  Jay Feely hit 23 of 27 FGs which is pretty good.  Jeff Feagles averages 40.2 yards per punt, but a 37.0 yard net avg.  Feagles has pinned the opposition inside the 20 yard line 27/77 times.  Chad Morton returns both punts and kick-offs for the Giants.  Morton has returned 29 punts for 268 yards (9.2 avg) and 31 kickoffs for 670 yards (21.6 avg).

The Eagles special teams haven’t been great either.  David Akers hit 18 of 23 FGs this season.  Punter Dirk Johnson averaged 42.6 yards per punt, but he only averages a net of 34.9 yards as the Eagles don’t cover punts well.  Johnson has pinned the opponent inside the 20, 21 of 78 times.  Reno Mahe handles the returns and averages 9.4 yards per punt return and 22.2 yards per kickoff return.

The Eagles are at home and they’re coming into the playoffs smoking….but….the Giants will want to win this game for Tiki Barber.  So, I have a feeling that this will be a much closer game than most people think it will be.  I still like the Eagles, but it will be a good football game.