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Eagles-Giants: What We're Watching

The Philadelphia Daily News - Eagletarian

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Eagles-Giants: What We're Watching

POSTED: Thursday, October 29, 2009, 7:58 PM

Paul Domowitch, Daily News NFL Columnist

Each week, Daily News football writer Paul Domowitch will tell you the things he will be keeping his eyes on during that week’s game:

1. The turnover battle. The Eagles lead the league in takeaways with 18. That’s the good news. The bad news is they’ve scored just 53 points off of those 18 takeaways. The Giants have five fewer takeaways than the Eagles, but have cashed them in for 65 points.

2. The Giants’ giant pass rush. No matchup will impact Sunday’s game more than the Eagles’ offensive line vs. the Giants’ front four. If the Eagles don’t neutralize Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka, it’s going to be a long day for Donovan McNabb and the offense.

3. Oh, those third-and-longs. The Eagles have converted just six of 31 third-down opportunities in the last two games. The biggest problem has been that too many of their third-down situations have been long yardage. Twenty-three of the 31 third downs the last 2 weeks have been for 6 yards or more. The Eagles have converted just one of 22 third-down situations of 10 yards or more all season.

4. A better McNabb. Donovan McNabb has not been sharp the last two games, particularly on third down, where he completed just nine of 20 passes against the Raiders and Redskins. He struggled against the Giants last year, completing just 54.2 percent of his passes and averaging 5.63 yards per attempt in three games.

5. When opportunity knocks, answer the freaking door. The Eagles have had 27 possessions in the last two games and have had the ball in enemy territory 13 times. Yet all they have to show for those 13 trips beyond the 50 is four field goals. They need to capitalize on those opportunities Sunday.

To read Les Bowen's report from Thursday's practice session, click here.

17 comments

Comments (17)

Comment removed.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:10 AM, 10/30/2009

As currently configured, the Eagles offensive line will be fortunate to keep the sack total under a dozen against the Giants. Okay, I exaggerate ... but only slightly.

— CarpGuy

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 6:53 AM, 10/30/2009

McNabb stop throwing the ball into the ground

— warbird

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0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 9:31 AM, 10/30/2009

all these signs point to a loss at lincoln financial field Sunday while the Phillies spank the other NY team across the way. McNabb will have to wait until they visit Giants stadium to get the win - because he won't be sharp and Andy will depend on him too much

— Tom Man

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Comment removed.

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:36 PM, 10/30/2009

Racist wolf is at it again! Bashing Howard, Jimmy, Pedro and McNabb is his only aim in life of this low life. The low life finds every excuse if someone skin is white. I don't believe this guy is from Philly. He must be signing in from somewhere in the south. Low life.

— Seed

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:38 PM, 10/30/2009

It's pretty simple this Sunday. Each team has to win to show they are even close to being a play-off contender.

— pj katauskas

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:40 PM, 10/30/2009

Doesn't McNabb know that if he intends to spike the ball he doesn't have to throw it 15 yards downfield?

— pj katauskas

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 12:58 PM, 10/30/2009

mcnabb would improve his yards per completion if he'd attempt a pass over five yards downfield. he is so focused on interceptions he won't throw it over five yards except for the once or twice a game he throws 40 plus yards. domo's last sentence in #2 says it all.

— JACK V