The Philadelphia Eagles are adopting a “road warrior” mentality as they face the New York Giants in a bid to secure their first away win since November 20. Despite a lackluster December, where they only managed to beat the struggling New York Giants, the Eagles (11-5) have a chance to clinch their second consecutive division title if the Dallas Cowboys (11-5) stumble against Washington (4-12). Otherwise, the Eagles may find themselves with the NFC’s No. 5 seed, resulting in an all-road game postseason.
The Eagles’ struggles have been evident on both sides of the ball. Their secondary has conceded 34 touchdown passes, second only to Washington, and their offense has been inconsistent, relying heavily on red-zone success dubbed the “Brotherly Shove.” A particularly disheartening trend is the team’s historic losses, having dropped three games despite holding double-digit leads, a first in franchise history. Notably, they surrendered leads against the New York Jets, the Seattle Seahawks, and the Arizona Cardinals.
Despite reaching the Super Bowl last season and starting the current season at 10-1, the Eagles are grappling with internal challenges. Rumors have surfaced about an unhappy locker room, and there are speculations that head coach Nick Sirianni may have “lost” the team. However, Sirianni dismissed these concerns, expressing confidence in the team’s commitment and the belief that they have the right personnel to achieve their goals. The coach, with a 34-16 record, emphasized the team’s focus on getting back on track and delivering a strong performance against the Giants.
The New York Giants, on a three-game losing streak, are looking to break their five-game losing streak against the Eagles, including last season’s playoff defeat. Tyrod Taylor will be the Giants’ fourth starting quarterback in as many games against the Eagles. The Giants suffered a close loss to the Los Angeles Rams last Sunday, with a missed 2-point conversion attempt by Taylor preventing an upset.
Giants coach Brian Daboll acknowledges his team’s competitive spirit, emphasizing their effort despite missing the playoffs for the sixth time in seven years. Daboll commended his players for their competitive stamina and professionalism, acknowledging the close nature of some recent games.
As the Eagles prepare to face the Giants, they are contemplating resting some key starters, including wide receiver DeVonta Smith, linebacker Haason Reddick, and defensive tackle Jordan Davis, all dealing with injuries. The Giants, on the other hand, have only two players, center John Michael Schmitz and safety Jason Pinnock, who are missing practice due to injuries.
In summary, the Eagles are entering the final regular-season game with a determination to break their road-game woes, secure a win against the Giants, and potentially clinch another division title. Despite internal speculations, Coach Sirianni remains confident in the team’s abilities, while the Giants aim to end their season on a competitive note despite missing the playoffs once again.
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