The Giants have an opportunity to play Santa and provides themselves an surprising present on Christmas Day.
Beat the Eagles.
In Philly.
That may be fairly an idea contemplating the Giants enter Monday’s vacation sport in opposition to the Eagles at Lincoln Monetary Subject having misplaced their previous 10 video games within the Metropolis of Brotherly Hate. The Linc has been a lacking hyperlink for the Giants, who’ve had their tushes pushed there for the previous decade.
That streak of ignominy dates to 2013, when the Giants beat the Eagles 15-7 in Philly. Tom Coughlin was the Giants head coach again then, which is 4 head coaches in the past for these of you scoring at dwelling.
The final time these two groups met, it was in a sport of serious consequence: final season’s NFC divisional playoff spherical through which the Eagles gained, 38-7, on the Linc.
This time, the stakes are fairly a bit decrease for the Giants, who’re within the throes of a forgettable 5-9 season in the meanwhile.
For the 10-4 Eagles, although, this sport is huge as a result of they enter it on a three-game dropping streak that has rapidly taken the shine off of their 10-1 begin to the season and despatched the Philadelphia trustworthy right into a state of panic.
The Giants have misplaced 16 of the previous 19 general conferences in opposition to Philadelphia, so that they symbolize the proper “get-well’’ sport for the Eagles, who’re desperately attempting to stave off the 10-4 Cowboys to win the NFC East and presumably earn the No. 1 playoff seed for home-field benefit all through the postseason.
The Giants merely wish to win a rattling sport, and beating the Eagles would make it that a lot sweeter due to the historical past between these two groups. Although the Giants haven’t but been mathematically eradicated from playoff competition, their likelihood is lower than slim even when they had been to run the desk and get to 8-9.
So, a win over the hated Eagles would symbolize a welcome diversion to the frustration of the season — even when only a non permanent one.
“It’s a division rival and it’s on Christmas, so with all these issues put collectively there’s one thing additional and we undoubtedly wish to get that win … and, as a result of it’s Philly, we wish to get that win much more,’’ Giants tight finish Daniel Bellinger instructed The Publish. “They’ve been type of like a thorn in our facet. Everybody needs to lastly beat these guys.’’
The veteran Giants gamers have seen sufficient dropping to the Eagles of their careers, notably in Philadelphia, the place nobody on their present roster has skilled victory sporting Giants blue.
Operating again Saquon Barkley is 1-8 general in his profession in opposition to the Eagles, together with 0-5 on the Linc. Receiver Sterling Shepard is 2-8, together with 0-5 on the street. Defensive deal with Dexter Lawrence and receiver Darius Slayton are each 2-7 in opposition to the Eagles, 0-5 in Philly.
“They’ve had our quantity since I’ve been right here, so it will really feel good to get a ‘W’ — particularly in opposition to these guys,’’ Shepard instructed The Publish.
“I don’t assume that sits effectively in anyone’s abdomen … particularly the blokes which have been right here the longest, like Shep and myself,’’ Barkley stated. “We hate answering the questions, ‘How would it not really feel to win in Philly?’ We’re sick and uninterested in it. The one approach we’re going to change that’s by going on the market and successful a sport.’’
Although the Eagles clearly are within the midst of a tough patch, seemingly having misplaced their approach and looking (they modified their defensive play caller final week), the Giants aren’t getting caught up in no matter droop their nemesis occurs to be in.
“They’re nonetheless lethal, they nonetheless have so many weapons over there,’’ linebacker Micah McFadden instructed The Publish.
“They nonetheless very stout protection, I nonetheless see an awesome group of fellows — particularly up entrance, the place they’ve guys which have been doing it for a very long time enjoying at a excessive degree,’’ Shepard stated.
“I don’t know that ‘vulnerability’ is the proper phrase, as a result of they nonetheless have some nice gamers over there,’’ guard Ben Bredeson stated.
“We’re not getting caught up within the dropping streak that they’re in,’’ Barkley stated. “They’re nonetheless Philly. They’re nonetheless final yr’s [NFC] champions, and nonetheless nice gamers throughout. That’s nonetheless [defensive tackle] Fletcher Cox over there, that’s nonetheless [defensive tackle] Jalen Carter over there. They’ve received studs throughout, particularly on the defensive facet.
“It doesn’t matter what occurred within the final three video games, they’re nonetheless an awesome workforce. They’re probably the greatest groups within the NFL.’’
That’s exactly why, even with the playoffs out of the query for the Giants, a win over the Eagles of their home would imply loads.
“Christmas Day, a division rival, in Philadelphia, it must be quite a lot of enjoyable,’’ Slayton stated. “We haven’t overwhelmed them since I’ve been right here, so it will be good to beat them.’’
So, go do it. Make it a blue Christmas.
A Merry Christmas after a not-so-happy yr.