Eagles-Giants scouting report

After averaging 363.8 yards in the first four games of the season, the Eagles have averaged only 256.3 yards in the last three games. The Eagles have a chance to shake that slump on Sunday against a middle-of-the-pack Giants defense that invested a lot of money in its unit during the offseason. The Eagles' offensive line must protect against Giants pass rushers Jason Pierre-Paul and Olivier Vernon, who have combined for 21/2 sacks even though they both are on lucrative contracts. Their pass-rush skills are better than their statistics indicate, though, and the Eagles need to make sure Carson Wentz stays upright if they want the passing game to get beyond the short, quick passes it featured last week. Wentz did not complete a pass longer than 14 yards vs. Dallas.

Look for the Eagles to try to take a few more chances this week. The Giants have a good secondary that includes Janoris Jenkins, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, and Eli Apple. The Eagles need more production from their wide receivers: Jordan Matthews (36 catches, 419 yards, three touchdowns) is the only receiver challenging defenses. With Josh Huff released, the Eagles have more playing time to distribute. Deep threat Bryce Treggs will be active and involved, but the other receivers will likely all get more snaps. Coach Doug Pederson said he would involve the tight ends and running back Darren Sproles in the passing game more, too. Ertz has been targeted only 20 times this season, and offensive coordinator Frank Reich admitted Wentz hasn't formed a strong connection yet with Ertz. The Giants had four interceptions when they last played, but they only have two in their other six games.

It could be tough to establish a consistent running game this week. The Giants allow only 3.6 yards per carry, which ranks sixth in the NFL.

Sproles was the Eagles' leading rusher last week, but Pederson said Ryan Mathews is still the top running back. If Mathews plays more than the eight snaps he saw last week, it means the Eagles are committed to getting him involved the running game. Sproles is an advantage on passing downs and has shouldered a bigger load on the ground, too. The Eagles will play without left guard Allen Barbre, who will be replaced by veteran Stefen Wisniewski. The Giants have a tough defensive interior with Damon Harrison and Johnathan Hankins applying pressure up the middle.

The Eagles try to make opposing offenses one-dimensional, which won't be hard on Sunday. The Giants have the sixth-ranked passing offense and the 32nd-ranked rushing offense. The challenge is stopping the pass, with veteran quarterback Eli Manning and a stable of receivers that include Pro Bowler Odell Beckham Jr. The Giants use a short passing game to make up for the lack of a running game, and it often works. Beckham is bouncing back to full health and could see time against all of the Eagles' cornerbacks - Nolan Carroll, Leodis McKelvin, and Jalen Mills. Safety Malcolm Jenkins could spend more time in the slot this week. Manning is completing a career-high 64.8 percent of his passes and is on pace to throw for over 4,500 yards. In addition to Beckham, who has 40 catches, Manning likes to throw to rookie Sterling Shepard and veteran Victor Cruz. The matchup of the Giants' passing offense against the Eagles' passing defense could decide the outcome of the game.

It will be important for the Eagles to get pressure on Manning with their four-man rush. Manning was not sacked when the Giants last played in Week 7, but the Eagles have some favorable matchups on the line of scrimmage, including Brandon Graham against right tackle Bobby Hart and Fletcher Cox against right guard John Jerry. Look for the Eagles to put pressure on Manning from that side - that's been the strength of the Eagles defense.

The Giants are still searching for a ground game. Rashad Jennings is averaging only 2.7 yards per carry. The player to watch is fifth-round pick Paul Perkins, who reportedly could take on a bigger role. Defensive tackle Bennie Logan is questionable for the Eagles after missing the last two games with a groin injury. Beau Allen would continue to start if Logan is absent.

When the Giants are forced to punt, don't head for the bathroom. The Giants have allowed 10.6 yards per punt return this season with a long of 50 yards. Darren Sproles is a threat whenever he gets room, so the Eagles could have an edge in that area.

13 - That's how many days it's been since the Giants' last game. The Eagles are familiar with well-rested opponents because this is their third consecutive opponent coming off a bye. The scheduling quirk continues next week, when the Atlanta Falcons will come to Philadelphia 10 days after their previous game. (They played on Thursday this week.) The Eagles beat the undefeated Vikings when Minnesota came off a bye, but they lost to the Cowboys. Of course, the Eagles were 3-0 when their bye week came - and then they lost their next two games. "It doesn't bother me," coach Doug Pederson said. "I don't make the schedule, but hey, listen, I would rather have continued to play 3-0 and not have a bye, either, so it kind of works the other way for us."

Zach Berman: Eagles 27, Giants 24

Jeff McLane: Eagles 24, Giants 20