The 2009 NFL Playoffs - NFC Divisional Weekend in HDTV on FOX
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
Live from Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
FOX HD 720p & DD5.1
1 PM ET
Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
Live from Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
FOX HD 720p & DD5.1
1 PM ET
Quote:
From foxsports.com
By John Czarnecki
WHAT TO WATCH FOR: With a weather forecast of freezing rain and 25-mph winds, the conditions would seem to favor the Giants' three-pronged running attack, which includes the return of a healthy Brandon Jacobs. In New York's first game against the Eagles, Jacobs ran for 126 yards and two TDs. In the game the Eagles won, during their late-season run to a playoff berth, Jacobs had 52 yards on 10 carries before injuring his left knee early in the third quarter.
There is no question that with the Giants minus WR Plaxico Burress, the offense's most feared player, Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson has decided to play single coverage on the outside receivers and fill every gap by bringing up safeties Brian Dawkins and Quintin Mikell. This scheme worked when Burress was suspended for the last game, plus the Eagles ranked fourth in the league defending the run, allowing 92.3 yards a game.
Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw combined for 217 rushing yards in the Giants' Week 10 win, but they had just 100 yards in the rematch four weeks later. The Eagles limited Adrian Peterson to 83 yards last Sunday, with 40 yards coming on one run. "Those guys are ready to play," Jacobs said. "The Eagles have been playing very, very good football lately. So we're going to have to match their intensity."
Eagles coach Andy Reid has done a good job in recent weeks of continuing to get consistent touches for RB Brian Westbrook. Reid must continue to use Westbrook and also Correll Buckhalter, who has looked extra quick in recent weeks. The Eagles need to run in order to take New York's pass rush off QB Donovan McNabb, who lacks deep threats but is very good against man coverage. Westbrook needs to get around 25 touches to move the chains and keep the defense rested. He had a career-high 33 carries in the last meeting, which helped wear down the Giants.
McNabb was sacked just 23 times during the regular season, but the Eagles could be overmatched by the Giants' pass rush on obvious passing downs, considering both offensive tackles, Tra Thomas and Jon Runyan (knee), are hurting.
Interestingly, Giants QB Eli Manning has struggled in his last two games in windy conditions at the Meadowlands, but overall he is 15-5 in games played in 10-mph or higher winds at home.
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/9...-playoff-games
