Here are some things to pay attention to in Sunday’s game
Here are three key matchups in Sunday’s New York Giants–Philadelphia Eagles game, plus a couple of random things I’m thinking about before kickoff.
Malik Nabers vs. Quinyon Mitchell
If the folks over at Bleeding Green Nation are correct, even if veteran cornerback Darius Slay (questionable/knee) plays against the Giants, star wide receiver Malik Nabers will generally be covered by rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell.
Brandon Lee Gowton wrote:
It’s very likely we get a direct match up between two first round rookies in this game. Malik Nabers is trending towards playing the Eagles. That is good news for the Giants considering how immediately kick-ass Nabers has been for New York. Even if he’s still nursing an injury, he is their best option in the passing game. Quinyon Mitchell has gone toe to toe with some truly excellent receivers, but Nabers might be the best one yet. If Mitchell can lock him down, the Eagles win. Simple as that.
The Eagles drafted the 6-foot, 193-pound Mitchell No. 22 overall.
In five games and starts, Mitchell has given up just 14 completions in 29 targets (48.3%), has six pass breakups and a 70.6 passer rating against.
Nabers was leading the NFL in targets before missing two games with a concussion. The ball is likely going to be thrown in his direction a lot. This one should be fun to watch, and is probably the first of many teams these two will go toe-to-toe.
Dexter Lawrence vs. Eagles IOL
Dexter Lawrence has been more dominant than ever through the Giants’ first six games. He has seven sacks, 11 quarterback hits and five tackles for loss while constantly being double- and sometimes triple-teamed.
Most sacks this season (and how often player is double teamed)
Aidan Hutchinson 7.5 (8%)
Dexter Lawrence 7.0 (63%)*
Will McDonald 7.0 (9%)
Kyle Van Noy 6.0 (7%)*Highest in NFL (min. 25 pass rushes), per @NextGenStats
— Dante Koplowitz-Fleming (@DanteKopFlem) October 18, 2024
The Eagles don’t have Jason Kelce at center anymore.
Pro Football Focus show starting center Cam Jurgens as Philadelphia’s lowest-graded starter — other that quarterback Jalen Hurts. Jurgens has allowed six pressures and guards Landon Dickerson and Mehki Becton have each been charged with three sacks allowed.
On paper, Lawrence could be expected to wreak havoc in the middle.
Giants’ defense vs. Saquon Barkley
The Giants — and their fans — know what they face in Saquon Barkley. A player who can be bottled up play after play after play, but can take advantage of one mistake by a defense to hit a home run and change a game.
They will also face a Barkley highly motivated by the circumstance, returning to MetLife Stadium to face the team that drafted him but wouldn’t give him the type of big-money, long-term second contract he sought.
“It’s going to take all 11,” linebacker Micah McFadden said. “He’s a guy who can break tackles. He’s dangerous in the pass game. He’s explosive, he has every move, he can jump cut, he can find the crease and he can skinny through a gap. It takes the D-line being true in their gap and not jumping out, not playing peek-a-boo, but everybody just doing their job, playing their gap, and doing it consistently.”
“He’s one of those guys, you give him any little bit of room, he could take it all the way,” edge defender Brian Burns said. “He’s dynamic, electric in that way. You kind of gotta keep him in the phone booth and make his money for him, because if you give him a clean picture, he can hurt you.”
Barkley and many of the Giants remain friends. There is a deep respect there. As Dexter Lawrence said this week, though, “Sunday is war and he knows that.”
If the Giants can win the battle with Barkley that improves their odds of winning the war against the Eagles.
Other random thoughts
- I was surprised by the overwhelming number of voters in our weekly ‘Reacts’ poll who want to see Evan Neal start at right tackle and Jermaine Eluemunor move to left tackle. There is also an undercurrent of fans who want to see Neal given an opportunity at left tackle.
I do not think that is ever going to happen.
Yes, Neal played left tackle for one season at Alabama. That’s all, by the way, one season. He played left guard for a year and right tackle for a year. He has not played or practiced at left tackle since 2021 — three years ago.
Expecting him to slide over and play left tackle now, and be at least adequate in doing so, is expecting a lot.
I think that 12-year veteran offensive lineman Chris Hubbard was signed as insurance for Josh Ezeudu at left tackle. Jermaine Eluemunor is playing as well or better than he ever has at right tackle, and the Giants don’t want to disturb that and perhaps weaken two positions.
- Once upon a time, Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was considered a turnover machine. Entering Sunday, it is Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts with the turnover issue. Hurts has 19 interceptions and 14 fumbles (5 lost) for a total of 24 turnoves in his last 22 games.
Can the Giants take advantage? They have just one interception, that coming from rookie linebacker Darius Muasau. The Giants have five fumble recoveries, third in the league.
