Philadelphia, PA - The defending Super Bowl champions have started out a rocky 2-3, averaging just 20.6 points per game. That’s a far cry from their 29 points per game at this time last season, which led the NFL. This start has been one of the more significant shocks in the NFL season so far, as this Eagles team only really improved on paper during the offseason.
Is it panic time in Philly? Despite that, things just haven’t clicked for either side of the ball. The Eagles have had a hard time keeping Carson Wentz upright this season, while the receivers haven’t given Wentz much to work with. The running game hasn’t been very prolific either, and Jay Ajayi’s injury means the Eagles will be without a power back in the backfield. Defensively, coverage has been a problem. There were several third downs last week where the Eagles defensive backs just could not contain the dynamic duo of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen. The defensive line did not get much push against the Vikings o-line, which is a problem when facing a solid veteran quarterback with a slew of weapons at his disposal.
That all being said, teams have come back from worse starts and still made the postseason. The Eagles have the players to pick it up and make a run to the Super Bowl, they merely need to get better plays from those players and more passion in the team and locker room. A perfect chance to get this is against the New York Giants, who enter at 1-4, coming off a brutal loss to the Carolina Panthers, one where they lost by way of a 63-yard field goal. Frustrations are boiling internally for Big Blue, as Odell Beckham’s latest tirade went after Eli Manning and the rest of his team. The Giants are looking to snap out of a very similar funk to the Eagles. Two teams that absolutely loathe each other, and that were expected to flourish this season, are facing a must-win game on a Thursday night. It doesn’t get much better than that, and I’m looking forward to seeing how both of these teams play.
For the Eagles to win, they’re going to need much better coverage in the secondary. The Giants’ offensive line is much worse than the Vikings’, which is a positive for Philadelphia. New York just released tackle Ereck Flowers so there will be a new protector for Eli Manning on the side. Expect the outside pass rushers to have a field day against Manning. Overall, I expect a quality Eagles win
Final Score: Eagles, 30 Giants, 17
