Game Scout: Giants at Eagles
New York Giants (1-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-4)
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, at Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia - TV: FOX
*TV announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Tony Siragusa
*Keys to the game: Philadelphia scored 14 fourth-quarter points while shutting the Giants out and pulling away for a 36-21 victory in Week 5. Eagles QB Michael Vick left that game with a hamstring injury and hasn't played since. He's expected to start Sunday, but likely won't be 100 percent. Philadelphia needs to keep him upright because rookie Matt Barkley will be his backup and showed in his NFL debut last week he's nowhere close to ready. The Giants have the ability to control the line of scrimmage and if they can contain RB LeSean McCoy, the Eagles' offense lacks great downfield threats outside of WR DeSean Jackson. The Giants enter with a ghastly minus-14 turnover ratio, including three Eli Manning picks in the first game. The offensive line is beat up, although Philly doesn't boast an overly imposing pass rush. The key for Manning is to get just enough production from his ground game to keep him out of the long passing downs in which he continues to force the ball downfield.
*Matchup to watch - Giants MLB Jon Beason vs. Eagles RB LeSean McCoy: Beason has led the Giants in tackles in both games since being acquired from Carolina. He's displaying good sideline-to-sideline speed in his resurgence, and he'll need all the speed he can muster against the shifty McCoy.
*Player spotlight - Giants FB John Conner: The Giants rarely know who Manning will be handing off to, but coach Tom Coughlin has been pleased with the team's new lead blocker, signed off the scrap heap after Henry Hynoski was lost for the season.
*Fast facts: Manning needs just 15 more passing yards to pass Phil Simms and move into first place on the Giants' career list. Manning currently has 33,448 passing yards. ... The Eagles have a nine-game home losing streak.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
The Eagles were booed off the field during their last home loss - a 17-3 setback to Dallas last week. Philadelphia has issues - namely a gimpy QB and a terrible pass defense. But the Giants' first victory of the season Monday night did little to mask a shaky offensive line and quarterback forcing far too many balls into tight coverage.
*Our pick: Eagles 30-27
