The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants will renew their historic rivalry Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field for the first time the teams have met in the playoffs since the 2000 season — when the Giants defeated the Eagles in the NFC divisional round. Philadelphia and New York met four times in the postseason, with the Giants winning the first two matchups (1981, 2000) and the Eagles winning the last two matchups (2006, 2008).
Philadelphia secured No. 1 — and home field advantage throughout the playoffs — by finishing with the best record in the conference (14-3), while New York was No. 6 in the playoffs (9-7). -1) and advanced to the divisional round for the first time since winning Super Bowl XLVI in the 2011 season (thanks to a 31-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings).
The Eagles won both matchups, 48-22 in Week 14 and 22-16 in Week 18, although New York rested its starters in Week 18 because it was already seeded at No. 6 in the NFC. In the 48-22 win, the Eagles rushed for 253 yards and scored the most points ever against the Giants on the road.
Philadelphia leads the all-time streak 92-88-2, including 33-13 in their last 46 games against New York (since the Giants beat the Eagles in the 2000 NFC Divisional Playoffs). Can the Giants reverse the rivalry on Saturday? Will Philadelphia continue its dominance of New York?
like watching
Date: Saturday 21 January | Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
TV: Fox | Electricity: fuboTV (try for free)
Consequences: CBS Sports App
opportunities: Adler -7.5, O/U 48
Featured Game | Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants
Giant’s Offensive Line vs. Eagle’s Pass Rush
The Giants offensive line has improved in 2022 but faces a major test against the Eagles’ passing rush. The Eagles had a 38% printing rate this season, which was the second-best in the NFL. Philadelphia finished the season with 70 sacks, ranking third by a team in a season in NFL history. The Eagles had four players who finished the season with more than 10 sacks, with Haason Reddick leading the team with 16 and Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat and Javon Hargrave 11 each.
New York allowed a 43% print rate, the highest in the league. Philadelphia had seven sacks and 23 pressings in their Week 14 win over New York (when both teams played their starters), giving the Eagles a season-high pressing. The allowable pressure rate of 53.5% was the second highest pressure rate allowed by New York all season.
The Eagles will have their full quota of pass rushers for Saturday’s matchup, while the Giants will also have their starting offense intact. New York’s offensive line can’t be more inefficient than it was in Week 14.
Eagles Run Game vs. Giants Run Defense
The Eagles and Giants both have two of the best rushing attacks in football, with Philadelphia ranking fifth in rushing yards per game (147.6) and first in rushing touchdowns (32). The Giants are fourth in rushing yards per game (147.8) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (21), but there’s a big advantage that plays in the Eagles’ favor.
New York ranks 31st in yards per attempt allowed (5.2) and 27th in yards per game allowed (144.2). The Giants allowed 253 yards for the Eagles in their Week 14 matchup as Philadelphia averaged 8.2 yards per carry. Miles Sanders had 144 yards and an average of 8.5 yards per carry, while Jalen Hurts finished with 77 yards and an average of 11.0 yards per carry. The two combined for three touchdowns.
The Giants have only allowed 113.2 rush yards per game since that Eagles attack, despite Philadelphia winning 135 against New York in the Week 18 matchup.
forecast
Is Hurt’s shoulder good enough to get the Eagles’ offense clicking on all cylinders? That answer won’t be clear until Saturday night, but hurts not being on the injury report and getting that extra week of rest are excellent signs. The Eagles also have their starting contingent ready, with Avonte Maddox being the only starter (toe).
Philadelphia is more talented than New York, but the Giants are in good form and Daniel Jones is coming off his best game of the year. The Eagles defense is more aggressive than the Vikings and should take advantage of a vulnerable Giants offensive line.
The Eagles need to score early and often to take the Giants out of this game while taking the momentum of the home crowd with them.
Featured Game | Philadelphia Eagles vs. New York Giants
Eagle 34, giant 21