here's the more in-depth part 2. they gave the Eagles the edge in QB, OL, DB, ST, Coach and Overall. The Giants got the nod in RB, WR, DL, LB.
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Giants and Eagles. Now they're back with a second look.
The Giants' defense was a poor 22.2 percent on third-down efficiency last week. It needs to improve that number to stop the Eagles, who converted 61.5 percent of their third downs vs. the Texans. The Giants need to mix in some man coverage, where they can get their hands on Eagles receivers and throw off QB Donovan McNabb's timing. Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis can't sit back in a soft zone and let McNabb play throw and catch with his receivers.
• Eagles head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg did a nice job of mixing their play-calling last Sunday. The balance they created allowed them to use play-action to hold not only the linebackers, but also the deep safeties. This would not have been possible without Reid attempting to run the football early in the game. The Eagles need to run the ball, and McNabb needs to do a good job of play-faking again this week so they can work the middle of the field on deep in routes to Donte' Stallworth or Reggie Brown. The Eagles need to get McNabb on the edge with bootlegs or naked-type of play-action. This puts pressure on the defense, because McNabb can run if he finds no one open.
• Giants offensive coordinator John Hufnagel needs to come into this game with the same basic philosophy as last week (run the ball, control the clock). Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs form an excellent running back tandem that combined for 164 yards last week. The Giants' offensive line needs to come off the ball and get movement on Eagles defensive tackles Mike Patterson and Darwin Walker while working up to the second level.
Eagles run-stuffing linebacker Jeremiah Trotter has good instincts and flows to the ball quickly. The Giants need to neutralize Trotter by running some misdirection plays to get him to flow hard one way, then run the ball away from him. Giants need to attack undersized Eagles linebacker Matt McCoy, who is only 230 pounds.
• A good matchup is the Eagles' defense, which registered five sacks last week, against a Giants offense that gave up no sacks. If the Eagles feel good about their matchups on the outside lanes against the Giants' receivers, then look for Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to bring his zone pressure package to try and get to QB Eli Manning.
The Eagles' secondary needs to do a good job of disguising its coverage and pressure package, as this has given Manning problems in the past. If Manning reads single coverage on the outside, he needs to audible to fade routes to beat the rush and to soften Philly's corners.
• The Giants had a good game against a very good opponent last week and almost came away with a win. The only thing stopping them was themselves. The Giants had five false-start penalties (out of nine penalties total for the offense) by five different players, and this was a home game. There is no excuse for offensive linemen to false start at home when crowd noise is not a factor. They are going to be in a loud stadium this week in Philly; the Giants can't afford to have needless penalties that put them in long-yardage situations or take away big plays.
• Both these teams have two versatile running backs who are good out of the backfield catching the ball. Barber is a dangerous receiver catching swing passes and check downs. He can turn a short pass into a big gain. Barber also excels in the screen pass. Get Barber out on the edge with a line of blockers in front of him, and he can take it the distance.
The Eagles' Brian Westbrook has the ability to line up as a wide receiver in the slot and cannot be covered by a linebacker. The Giants are going to have to put a safety on him. A better match for the Giants, depending how the game goes, would be to go to a nickel package and put a corner on Westbrook. Look for both teams to try and get the ball to these backs on the edge early in the passing game.
• The Eagles' offensive line needs to do a good job of coming off the ball and re-establishing the line of scrimmage on the defensive side of the ball. This week they go against a good Giants front four that gave up only 55 yards rushing last Sunday. The Eagles are big up front, with all five of their offensive linemen weighing in at more than 320 pounds (the front averages out at 331 pounds). They will run off-tackle at undersized New York DEs Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora trying to get Westbrook or Correll Buckhalter on the edge.
The Giants will need to run some line stunts to offset this size difference and get penetration. The Eagles' guards and center need to do a good job of getting up to the next level on Giants MLB Antonio Pierce (11 combined tackles vs. Colts) and not let him run through his gap.
Special Teams
This game could be a slow day for both punters, due to the potential of these two offenses to move the chains. Giants punter Jeff Feagles had one punt for a net of 48 yards in Week 1 while Eagles punter Dirk Johnson had three punts for a net average of 35 yards.
They real test could come of the kickoff cover and return units. The Eagles are allowing 21 yards a return and the Giants are averaging a meager 18.7 yards.
Matchups
• Giants QB Eli Manning vs. Eagles blitz package
• Giants WR Plaxico Burress vs. Eagles CB Roderick Hood
• Eagles ROT Jon Runyan vs. Giants LDE Michael Strahan
• Eagles WR Donte' Stallworth vs. Giants CB Corey Webster
• Eagles FS Brian Dawkins vs. Giants TE Jeremy Shockey
Scouts' Edge
This game will be a good test for the Eagles, unlike last week. The Giants are a good team that won the division last year. The Eagles must take advantage of a porous Giants secondary by spreading the ball around and using play-action to work the ball downfield. If the Eagles win this game, they have a good chance of starting the season 4-0.
The Giants must find a way of capitalizing on Eagles mistakes and limiting their own. They must get off the field defensively on third down and protect Manning from the Eagles' zone-blitz package. The Giants need to take the crowd out early by mounting a good, long drive or scoring quickly. The Giants need to put away all the excuses for the Week 1 loss, because they are going into hostile territory in Philadelphia. If they are going to win the division again this year, they need to find a way to win regardless of what happens. The good teams do.
Prediction: Eagles 27, Giants 24
Tuesday, our scouts filed their advance scouting report on this week's matchup between the Giants and Eagles. Now they're back with a second look.
The Giants' defense was a poor 22.2 percent on third-down efficiency last week. It needs to improve that number to stop the Eagles, who converted 61.5 percent of their third downs vs. the Texans. The Giants need to mix in some man coverage, where they can get their hands on Eagles receivers and throw off QB Donovan McNabb's timing. Giants defensive coordinator Tim Lewis can't sit back in a soft zone and let McNabb play throw and catch with his receivers.
• Eagles head coach Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg did a nice job of mixing their play-calling last Sunday. The balance they created allowed them to use play-action to hold not only the linebackers, but also the deep safeties. This would not have been possible without Reid attempting to run the football early in the game. The Eagles need to run the ball, and McNabb needs to do a good job of play-faking again this week so they can work the middle of the field on deep in routes to Donte' Stallworth or Reggie Brown. The Eagles need to get McNabb on the edge with bootlegs or naked-type of play-action. This puts pressure on the defense, because McNabb can run if he finds no one open.
• Giants offensive coordinator John Hufnagel needs to come into this game with the same basic philosophy as last week (run the ball, control the clock). Tiki Barber and Brandon Jacobs form an excellent running back tandem that combined for 164 yards last week. The Giants' offensive line needs to come off the ball and get movement on Eagles defensive tackles Mike Patterson and Darwin Walker while working up to the second level.
Eagles run-stuffing linebacker Jeremiah Trotter has good instincts and flows to the ball quickly. The Giants need to neutralize Trotter by running some misdirection plays to get him to flow hard one way, then run the ball away from him. Giants need to attack undersized Eagles linebacker Matt McCoy, who is only 230 pounds.
• A good matchup is the Eagles' defense, which registered five sacks last week, against a Giants offense that gave up no sacks. If the Eagles feel good about their matchups on the outside lanes against the Giants' receivers, then look for Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to bring his zone pressure package to try and get to QB Eli Manning.
The Eagles' secondary needs to do a good job of disguising its coverage and pressure package, as this has given Manning problems in the past. If Manning reads single coverage on the outside, he needs to audible to fade routes to beat the rush and to soften Philly's corners.
• The Giants had a good game against a very good opponent last week and almost came away with a win. The only thing stopping them was themselves. The Giants had five false-start penalties (out of nine penalties total for the offense) by five different players, and this was a home game. There is no excuse for offensive linemen to false start at home when crowd noise is not a factor. They are going to be in a loud stadium this week in Philly; the Giants can't afford to have needless penalties that put them in long-yardage situations or take away big plays.
• Both these teams have two versatile running backs who are good out of the backfield catching the ball. Barber is a dangerous receiver catching swing passes and check downs. He can turn a short pass into a big gain. Barber also excels in the screen pass. Get Barber out on the edge with a line of blockers in front of him, and he can take it the distance.
The Eagles' Brian Westbrook has the ability to line up as a wide receiver in the slot and cannot be covered by a linebacker. The Giants are going to have to put a safety on him. A better match for the Giants, depending how the game goes, would be to go to a nickel package and put a corner on Westbrook. Look for both teams to try and get the ball to these backs on the edge early in the passing game.
• The Eagles' offensive line needs to do a good job of coming off the ball and re-establishing the line of scrimmage on the defensive side of the ball. This week they go against a good Giants front four that gave up only 55 yards rushing last Sunday. The Eagles are big up front, with all five of their offensive linemen weighing in at more than 320 pounds (the front averages out at 331 pounds). They will run off-tackle at undersized New York DEs Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora trying to get Westbrook or Correll Buckhalter on the edge.
The Giants will need to run some line stunts to offset this size difference and get penetration. The Eagles' guards and center need to do a good job of getting up to the next level on Giants MLB Antonio Pierce (11 combined tackles vs. Colts) and not let him run through his gap.
Special Teams
This game could be a slow day for both punters, due to the potential of these two offenses to move the chains. Giants punter Jeff Feagles had one punt for a net of 48 yards in Week 1 while Eagles punter Dirk Johnson had three punts for a net average of 35 yards.
They real test could come of the kickoff cover and return units. The Eagles are allowing 21 yards a return and the Giants are averaging a meager 18.7 yards.
Matchups
• Giants QB Eli Manning vs. Eagles blitz package
• Giants WR Plaxico Burress vs. Eagles CB Roderick Hood
• Eagles ROT Jon Runyan vs. Giants LDE Michael Strahan
• Eagles WR Donte' Stallworth vs. Giants CB Corey Webster
• Eagles FS Brian Dawkins vs. Giants TE Jeremy Shockey
Scouts' Edge
This game will be a good test for the Eagles, unlike last week. The Giants are a good team that won the division last year. The Eagles must take advantage of a porous Giants secondary by spreading the ball around and using play-action to work the ball downfield. If the Eagles win this game, they have a good chance of starting the season 4-0.
The Giants must find a way of capitalizing on Eagles mistakes and limiting their own. They must get off the field defensively on third down and protect Manning from the Eagles' zone-blitz package. The Giants need to take the crowd out early by mounting a good, long drive or scoring quickly. The Giants need to put away all the excuses for the Week 1 loss, because they are going into hostile territory in Philadelphia. If they are going to win the division again this year, they need to find a way to win regardless of what happens. The good teams do.
Prediction: Eagles 27, Giants 24
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