No one should doubt this next statement. Even though the Philadelphia Eagles have largely dominated this rivalry, Sunday’s matchup is one the New York Giants can absolutely win convincingly.
New York enters the contest with a better record. They have considerably more momentum and an opportunity to take advantage of an Eagles team that has completely lost its footing. Philadelphia has lost six consecutive games, and the problems extend well beyond one position group.
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The Giants, meanwhile, have reasons to believe they can take advantage of the matchup. They’ve found some stability at quarterback. They have weapons that can create problems in multiple areas and a defense that can make life difficult for an offense searching for answers.
The Eagles cannot afford to overlook anyone on New York’s roster. Still, here are six Giants who could make Sunday’s afternoon particularly uncomfortable for Philadelphia.
J.J. McCarthy, quarterback
J.J. McCarthy hasn’t needed much time to make an impression in New York. He’s completed 31 of 49 passes for 495 yards. He has thrown one touchdown and one interception this season. His 95.2 passer rating offers an encouraging indication of what he can bring to the Giants’ offense.
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The most intriguing part of McCarthy’s production is his 10.1 yards per pass attempt, suggesting the Giants have found a quarterback who can push the ball downfield.
Philadelphia’s defense has struggled to get opponents off the field consistently, and McCarthy could take advantage if the Eagles allow him time to find his receivers. He doesn’t need to be spectacular to make a difference. If he protects the football and connects on a few explosive plays, New York could put Philadelphia in a difficult position.
Devin Singletary, running back
Cam Skattebo’s availability is one of the biggest questions surrounding New York’s offense. He is dealing with a hamstring injury and didn’t participate in Wednesday’s practice. Head coach John Harbaugh described him as day-to-day, leaving his Sunday status uncertain.
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If Skattebo cannot play, Devin Singletary could inherit a much larger workload. He’s recorded 18 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown this season, averaging 4.4 yards per attempt. Those numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page, but his experience gives New York a capable alternative.
The matchup is particularly interesting because Philadelphia has struggled to defend the run. The Eagles rank near the bottom of the league in rushing defense, allowing Singletary to make an impact if he gets enough touches.
New York doesn’t need him to replace everything Skattebo brings to the offense. Consistent production on early downs and a few big plays would make the Giants considerably harder to defend.
Malik Nabers, wide receiver
Malik Nabers remains one of the most dangerous weapons in New York’s offense. He’s leading the Giants with 70 targets and 48 receptions, establishing himself as the primary option in the passing game.
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His production goes beyond simply catching a high volume of passes. Nabers has nine receptions of at least 20 yards. He has accumulated 156 yards after the catch and converted 27 receptions into first downs.
That’s a combination Philadelphia cannot afford to overlook. Nabers can hurt a defense vertically, but he’s equally capable of turning a relatively harmless completion into a substantial gain after the catch.
The Eagles need to make his opportunities as difficult as possible. Letting Nabers operate freely underneath could be as damaging as surrendering the occasional deep completion. If Philadelphia’s secondary cannot contain him, McCarthy will have a reliable target who can keep the chains moving.
Dru Phillips, cornerback
Dru Phillips has become an intriguing contributor in New York’s secondary, and his production suggests he can impact the game beyond traditional coverage responsibilities.
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He’s recorded 24 tackles, two sacks, and two passes defended. The two sacks are particularly noteworthy for a defensive back, showing he can contribute when the Giants bring pressure.
Philadelphia’s offense has struggled to stay consistent, particularly when opposing defenses create confusion and disrupt play timing. Phillips gives New York another defender who can make things uncomfortable.
His ability to contribute against both the pass and the run makes him an interesting matchup for an Eagles offense that needs to find answers against an aggressive defense.
Kayvon Thibodeaux, linebacker
Abdul Carter has the versatility to create problems for Philadelphia in multiple areas. He’s recorded 18 tackles, two sacks, and a forced fumble, giving the Giants another disruptive presence on defense. His availability deserves monitoring, however. Carter missed Wednesday’s practice with an illness, though Harbaugh said he expected the defender to be fine.
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That said, keep an eye on Kayvon Thibodeaux. He’s taken a bit of a backseat with Carter’s addition and emergence. He hasn’t racked up a sack all season, but with the struggles some members of the Eagles’ offensive line have had, it’s hard to rule him out as a potential game-wrecker.
Arvell Reese, linebacker
Arvell Reese is putting together an impressive statistical season for the Giants. He leads the team with 56 tackles, including 39 solo stops. He’s also recorded 1.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, four passes defended, and an interception. Giants
That’s an impressive collection of production for a defender who can contribute in so many different areas. Reese isn’t simply accumulating tackles after opponents complete passes. He’s finding ways to disrupt plays behind the line of scrimmage and make life difficult for opposing offenses.
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His versatility could be particularly troublesome for Philadelphia. Reese can contribute against the run, pressure the quarterback, and affect passing lanes. That gives the Giants flexibility when designing their defensive approach.
The Eagles need to identify where Reese is aligned and account for his ability to impact the play. If they allow him to operate freely, he could become one of the most disruptive defenders on the field Sunday.
This article originally appeared on Eagles Wire: 6 Giants players who pose the biggest threats to Eagles in Week 9
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: Sports.yahoo.com
