Week 18: New York Giants - Philadelphia Eagles Matchups to Watch
The New York Giants will face the Philadelphia Eagles in the regular season finale, aiming to keep them from winning the NFC East division title for the second straight year (they also need the Dallas Cowboys to lose). Accomplishing this goal would continue the streak of zero repeat champions since 2003-04.
This battle has several talented players matched against one another, making for some great entertainment. Still, these two particular matchups are among the key ones that could influence Sunday's outcome.
When the Giants Have the Ball
The outcome of Week 16's game between the Giants and Eagles didn't fall under the consensus expectations, as New York lost by just eight points in a 33-25 affair. Not to discredit the Giants' offense, but one of the team's touchdowns was a pick-six by Adoree Jackson, and the other was on a 14-yard drive set up by an Isaiah Simmons forced fumble and recovery.
In other words, the Giants' offense will need to put more points on the board if they want to upset the Eagles. However, quarterback Tyrod Taylor has been limited in practice throughout the week due to a back injury, though he didn't receive an injury designation.
Even if Taylor plays, it's fair to wonder if his back issue might affect him. He subbed in for Tommy DeVito in Week 16 and moved the ball relatively well downfield, but it didn't reach the endzone often enough.
Giants running back Saquon Barkley had 23 carries for 80 yards (3.5 yards per carry) and a touchdown against Philadelphia in Week 16. These numbers are by no means the two-time Pro Bowler's best, but he's proven indisputably more reliable than any other player on New York's offense this season. And like most of the season, the offense will likely be run through Barkley in Week 18.
Heading into the final week of the regular season, Barkley has the 14th-most rushing yards (916) in the league. For someone who's missed three games due to injury and runs behind an offensive line that's allowed 20 more sacks than any other team in the NFL, the rushing total is a pretty solid turnout for the season.
Barkley aims to end his sixth year on a strong note, as he's just 84 yards away from his fourth 1,000-yard season. He's averaged 70.5 yards per game, so he must boost it on Sunday.
Besides playoff seeding/clinching, Week 18 heavily revolves around players getting a final chance at attacking personal goals, records, and yearly league awards.
One Eagles defender with a shot at a yearly honor is defensive tackle Jalen Carter, who is aiming for the prestigious Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
The first-round selection out of Georgia is fourth on the Eagles in quarterback hits (9) and third in sacks (6) and tackles for loss (8). However, Carter has not started a single game, and he's also played just 51 percent of the snaps this season.
Carter's become the runaway favorite for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award not only because of these but also the pressure he puts on opposing teams and the stress he causes for offensive linemen, which allows other Eagles to often fly to the backfield with ease.
If Carter could limit Barkley, whether by himself or through the holes he creates for his teammates to attack, his name will certainly be called at the NFL Honors. Even though he's favored, the award is still very much up for grabs as every game of the regular season is considered. There are plenty of other expected nominees who understand this and are going all out for that trophy in Week 18.
When the Eagles Have the Ball
As previously stated, the Eagles aim for a division title, which would lock up either a No. 2 or 3 seed (depending on the Detroit Lions' results). But if Philadelphia loses and the Cowboys win, they'll be the No. 5 seed.
The Eagles have already clinched a playoff spot and want to win the division, but it's extremely unlikely that the starters will play most of the game due to the risk of injuries.
Philadelphia wide receiver A.J. Brown is just 53 yards shy of crossing the 1,500-yard receiving mark and becoming the first Eagles receiver to record that amount in a single season. Brown's official Pro Bowl and potentially All-Pro season indicate he can gain 53 yards quickly. But besides that, like any Week 18 team clinched the postseason, the Eagles are expected to play conservatively and run the ball.
Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has had his fair share of carries and tush-pushes this season, but don't expect him to gamble his body much during his likely limited time on the field Sunday. Instead, bank on Philadelphia's running backs D'Andre Swift, Kenneth Gainwell, and possibly Boston Scott to get the workload and chew the clock.
Swift, the starter, was relatively quiet against New York in Week 16 for the first three quarters, but his explosion in the fourth (he ended the game with 92 yards and a touchdown) helped Philadelphia come up victorious.
Like the rest of his team, the league's No. 4 leading rusher has struggled for most of their 1-4 stretch. But after his first performance against New York, it's fair to say that he could be somewhat on pace for something similar against them in the likely short span that he'll be on the field.
Gainwell rushed for 41 yards on just six carries against the Giants in Week 16. Additionally, he hauled in three receptions for 38 yards. Due to the upcoming playoffs, his typical snap percentage and usage should increase greatly on Sunday, meaning the Giants must also watch out for him.
Besides the nearly league-leading 24 rushing touchdowns allowed, the Giants' run defense has been relatively average this season. But they'll have to prepare for each carrier's strengths because of the expected use of two or maybe even three Eagles running backs.
New York has four defenders that have stood out against the run this season, each bringing different assets.
Outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux has broken out in 2023, leading the team in sacks (11.5) and is tied for the most tackles for loss (12). The 23-year-old's ability to create pressure off the edge and stop the running back behind the line of scrimmage has been arguably the best this season.
Linebacker Micah McFadden is tied with Thibodeaux as the co-tackles for loss leaders, but most of his came from opposing running backs toward the outside zone. Other teams have struggled to prevent the 2022 fifth-rounder from doing this every week.
Middle linebacker Bobby Okereke ranks in the top 10 in the NFL in tackles, as he rarely allows opposing running backs to move past him. An argument can be made that he's been the most consistent Giant this season and added ten tackles for loss.
Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence's numbers haven't been as great as last season, but he still made his second consecutive Pro Bowl. Lawrence's impact in the trenches has opened up spots for the aforementioned three Giants defenders to burst through each week.
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