4 Eagles stars other than Jalen Hurts the Giants have to worry about
By George Baker
3. AJ Brown
When trading for AJ Brown before the start of the 2022 season, the Eagles had high expectations for the alpha receiver to pair with Jalen Hurts. Fortunately for them, Brown has surpassed any reasonable expectations and cemented himself as one of the league’s finest receivers. After breaking the record for most games with 125+ receiving yards earlier this year, it is evident that his role will have to be limited if the Giants want a fighting chance this Monday.
In his first two regular-season battles with the Giants as an Eagle, Brown accumulated eight catches for 165 yards and a touchdown. While his numbers are impressive, his impact can’t be overstated. His quick bursts off the line of scrimmage and deep ball threat constantly stress and stretch Giants deep safeties, often leaving the middle of the field far understaffed in the run game. In many ways, the versatility of the Eagles has been the recipe for success against the Giants in recent years.
Look for the Giants to leave lots of responsibility on the shoulders of rookie cornerback Deonte Banks in this matchup. With Philadelphia’s number two receiver, DeVonta Smith, dealing with a knee injury and questionable for Monday, Banks will likely see lots of AJ Brown. Banks’ top-end speed will alleviate so much strain on the Giants’ safeties, leaving them available and flexible to blitz and stop the run. This concept will be crucial for the Giants in stopping the Eagles, who have yet to be as sharp as usual during their three-game losing streak.