5 keys to victory for the NY Giants against the Eagles

The story can’t get much sweeter than this for the New York Giants. In Brian Daboll’s first season on the job, Big Blue is on to the NFC Divisional Round, where they’re ready to take on arguably their most hated rival, the Philadelphia Eagles.

It’d be glorious if the Giants can get some revenge on the Eagles for spoiling their season all the way back in 2009 — when Donovan McNabb dethroned the No. 1 seeded, reigning Super Bowl champions.

Philadelphia hasn’t mounted as much success as that aforementioned Giants squad, but a victory against the NFC’s top team would be just as sweet. Still, it’s going to be an absolute battle, and the Giants have their work cut out for them if they’re to write another chapter in their storybook season after Saturday. Ahead of Big Blue taking on the vaunted Eagles, here are five keys to victory for Big Blue:

5. Another dazzling playoff performance from Daniel Jones

Daniel Jones couldn’t have written a better playoff debut if he tried. The former Duke star was near perfect against the Minnesota Vikings, garnering praise from around the NFL world as the Giants marched into US Bank Stadium and took care of business. However, the Eagles are a new animal.

While Jones had one of his best games of the regular season in Minnesota, he didn’t play in Philadelphia, and he couldn’t keep up with the Eagles offense when the NFC East title winners came to MetLife Stadium. Regardless, we can throw all that out the window — all that matters is Saturday night.

Jones is coming off the best game of his career at the most important time, and he can put himself among the best quarterbacks in the NFL with a similar performance against the Eagles. In that win over Minnesota, Jones topped 300 passing yards and two touchdowns, while adding 78 more yards on the ground.

Count him out all you want at your own risk, but Jones is essential to the Giants success, and he’s proven worthy of carrying that on his back. Look for the former No. 6 overall pick to have another strong showing with a trip to the NFC Championship Game on the line.