The New York Giants have the NFL’s second-toughest remaining schedule, based on opponents’ winning percentage.
That includes two dates in five weeks with the Philadelphia Eagles, starting Sunday in East Rutherford, N.J.
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With only one victory in their last five games (1-3-1), the Giants (7-4-1) are nearly out of time to turn things around.
“I think you just got to get ready to play the next week and the next team,” New York head coach Brian Daboll said. “For us, it’s the best team in the NFL right now. One loss. They lost to Washington. They have a star-studded roster.
.”.. Jalen (Hurts) is playing phenomenal. Those receivers are, they’re exceptional, (as is the) O-line, defensive line, corners. They’ve got a star-studded cast.”
If the Giants hope to upstage the NFC East leaders, they must figure out how to finish games. In last Sunday’s 20-20 tie with the Commanders, New York gained just 112 yards across nine possessions in the second half and overtime.
“We felt like we should have won that game with the opportunities that we were given,” safety Julian Love said. “But for every game, you feel that way. I think we just chip away at it and grind away at it. … We have an opportunity in front of us with the Eagles.”
Following a promising 6-1 start to the season, the Giants are still looking for their first win in the division (0-2-1). The only other teams in the NFL without a division win are the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos.
The Giants are facing an Eagles team that is 5-0 on the road — including three wins by three points or fewer — and playing the first of three straight games away from home. Philadelphia has won three in a row since its Week 10 loss to the Commanders, including a 35-10 victory last Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.
The Eagles (11-1) can clinch a playoff berth with a win or tie on Sunday. Alternatively, they could also secure a postseason spot with losses by both San Francisco and Seattle.
Hurts earned NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors for the second straight game after passing for 380 yards and three touchdowns and also rushing for a score against the Titans. The last Eagle to claim back-to-back weekly honors was Michael Vick in 2010.
Hurts completed just 51.7 percent of his passes for 328 yards in his two previous starts against the Giants. It’s his worst completion percentage against any opponent he has faced more than once.
In last season’s meeting in the Meadowlands, Hurts was picked off three times in a 13-7 defeat. He has only thrown three interceptions on 357 pass attempts so far this season.
The Eagles are more concerned with Giants quarterback Daniel Jones, particularly his mobility (career-high 522 rushing yards, just 87 fewer than Hurts) combined with the resurgence of running back Saquon Barkley (1,055 rushing yards, eight touchdowns).
“We’ve got a big-time challenge ahead of us, and we’ve got to be on it,” Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon said. “It’s a game where you can’t just line up and play your stuff, or you will get gashed.”
Barkley popped up on the Giants’ injury report as a limited participant Thursday and Friday due to a neck injury. He’s listed as questionable to face the Eagles, while defensive lineman Leonard Williams (neck) is doubtful. Defensive back Adoree’ Jackson (knee) and offensive linemen Josh Ezeudu (neck) and Shane Lemieux (toe) were ruled out.
Philadelphia ruled out only linebacker Shaun Bradley (hamstring). Fellow linebacker Kyzir White (ankle) and wide receiver Quez Watkins (shoulder) will play after being limited earlier in the week.
–Field Level Media
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