While the Giants will be at home for this matchup, they're just 3-2 in their new digs while the Eagles are 5-2 on the road. Philadelphia also has the confidence gained from its Week 11 victory, its fifth straight triumph (including a 2008 playoff game) in this ancient East Coast rivalry. What's more, the Eagles are the better-rested team, having played last Sunday night in Dallas while the Giants' game at Minnesota was postponed a day and moved to Detroit because of a snowstorm's aftermath.
The Eagles will be without middle linebacker Stewart Bradley, who dislocated an elbow against the Cowboys, forcing seventh-round draft pick Jamar Chaney into duty, but they could welcome back Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel, who leads the NFL with seven interceptions despite missing the past three games with a knee injury. However, Pro Bowl receiver DeSean Jackson, who torched the Giants for 178 yards last December and leads the league with 23.1 yards per catch, might be absent after being unable to practice on Wednesday and Thursday because of a foot injury suffered against the Cowboys. Not that the Eagles still wouldn't have plenty of weapons in Michael Vick, the NFC's top-rated passer, running back LeSean McCoy, its leader in yards from scrimmage, and dangerous receiver Jeremy Maclin.
New York will counter the NFL's top offense with a fierce pass rush led by defensive ends Osi Umenyiora (10 sacks) and Justin Tuck (8.5).
Philadelphia will be a solid favorite to win its final two games at home against the Vikings and Cowboys, both of whom are out of contention. New York finishes with reeling Washington but its visit to Green Bay next week should be much more difficult if Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has returned from a concussion. So an Eagles victory Sunday would pretty much seal the NFC East, leaving the Giants to hope to beat out the Packers and Tampa Bay for the last NFC wild card spot.
Who: Philadelphia Eagles (9-4) vs. New York Giants (9-4)
Where: New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J..
When: Sunday, Dec. 19, 1 PM EST
TV Coverage: NBC
Players to Watch: Vick, McCoy, Maclin, DE Trent Cole, Samuel and Chaney for the Eagles. Manning, Jacobs, Bradshaw, WR Hakeem Nicks, Umenyiora and Tuck for the Giants.
Line: Giants by 2½
Final Score: Eagles 38 Giants 31
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