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.
4. Contain Jalen Hurts’ Legs
While he’s improved as a passer in 2022, what makes Jalen Hurts so dangerous is his ability rushing the football. The Eagles used Hurts’ dynamic ability to perfection this season, and rode him all the way to the No. 1 seed. However, we’ve seen the way to keep the Philadelphia offense at bay is to limit the damage Hurts can do with his rushing ability, and make him defeat you through the air.
The Giants have some speed at linebacker, with Landon Collins, Jarrad Davis and Jaylon Smith roaming the field. The group has been inconsistent, but they’ll be relied upon heavily to limit the damage Hurts can do. Additionally, Hurts could still be hampered by an injured shoulder, and he noticeably attempted to avoid contact in Week 18.
If the former Oklahoma star is less than 100 percent on Saturday, it could be the opening the Giants defense needs to step up. Things aren’t going to be easy for defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, but he must focus on not letting Hurts take off and run.
3. The Giants pass-rush must have a huge game
The Giants must channel their Super Bowl teams of old, bringing a vaunted pass-rush with them to Philadelphia on Saturday. The Eagles have a tremendous pass-rush of their own, but the Giants have a group of stars as well. Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams and Kayvon Thibodeaux made Kirk Cousins sweat, but Hurts will provide some issues.
Not only will getting to the quarterback be gigantic, but setting the edge and limiting the Philadelphia run game will be as well. That’s been something Martindale has preached all season long, and something Thibodeaux and guys like Jihad Ward have excelled at.
Michael Strahan. Justin Tuck. Osi Umenyiora. Jason Pierre-Paul. The Giants need to channel the past to advance to the next round. It’s up in the air if Azeez Ojulari (quad) will be able to play or not, but if he can, it’s going to be huge news for the G-Men.
2. Keep AJ Brown and DeVonta Smith quiet
Yes, Hurts has improved his passing ability in 2022 — but the main reason for that has been the phenomenal talent he’s throwing the football to. DeVonta Smith and AJ Brown are among the NFL’s best — if not the best — wide receiving duos. They burned the Giants multiple times at MetLife Staidum, but that was without both Adoree’ Jackson and Xavier McKinney.
The Giants secondary may have plenty on inexperience, but they more than held their own against Justin Jefferson and the Vikings in the Wild Card round. A similar performance will be needed if the Giants are to pull off another upset.
With Jackson and McKinney in particular, having them back was huge against Minnesota. Jackson basically had Jefferson in his back pocket the whole game, while no one is going to forget McKinney’s game-sealing tackle on T.J. Hockenson. The secondary as a whole must step up, but we think McKinney and Jackson will rise to the challenge.
1. The G-Men must control the clock
The Giants masterfully controlled the clock against the Vikings, and they’ll need a similar performance on offense to find a win in Philadelphia. We’ve learned thus far that the Giants aren’t looking to get into any offensive shootouts. They want to play their game, run Saquon Barkley and retain possession of the football. It’s worked masterfully at times, but it’s also a recipe for disaster if you’re playing from behind.
With some help from the Giants defense, Barkley, Jones and company need to stay on the field, have long drives and score points. The Eagles can win like that as well, but that’s what it’s going to take from the Giants.
Hopefully Darius Slayton got his drop out of the way, because the Giants will need him and the rest of their receiving unit to come ready to fight for first downs, make contested catches and ball out in Philadelphia. Isaiah Hodgins is coming off a huge game in Minnesota, and more of the same will be needed at Lincoln Financial Field.
4 NY Giants who saved the day and led Big Blue over Minnesota
Led by Daniel Jones, the New York Giants took down Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings in the Wild Card Round. Here are 4 Giants responsible for the win.