How they match up

Eagles defense vs. Giants offense
For the first time this decade, the Eagles didn't have to put together a game plan to stop Tiki Barber. The Giants, however, still have some weapons on offense, including running back Derrick Ward, who is seventh in the NFL in yards from scrimmage. The Eagles' more critical defensive mission will be stopping the Giants' passing game. Give Eli Manning time and he's dangerous. Pressure him and he's prone to turnovers. Manning is 3-3 as a starter against the Eagles and has made some big plays and bad mistakes. He's thrown nine touchdown passes, including a game-winner in overtime last year at the Linc, and nine interceptions, including one that Trent Cole returned for a game-sealing touchdown last year at Giants Stadium. The Eagles have sacked Manning 22 times in those six games, but have lost games in which they sacked him five and eight times. Look for the Giants to take their shots downfield against the Eagles' hobbled secondary, which will definitely be without Lito Sheppard for the third straight game.

It's vital that the Eagles get a strong pass rush from the front four, because they're going to need help in coverage against receivers Plaxico Burress, Amani Toomer and tight end Jeremy Shockey.

EDGE: Even.

Eagles offense vs. Giants defense
The much-maligned Eagles offense awoke from its early-season slumber last week and torched the Detroit Lions for 56 points. Meanwhile, the Giants' much-maligned defense preserved a second-half shutout with a sensational late fourth-quarter goal-line stand that gave New York its first win. So what happens if that Eagles offense and that Giants defense both show up tonight?

There are still questions and concerns about both units. The Eagles, for instance, don't know what to expect from Brian Westbrook (abdominal strain) even if he does play, and it appears as if Winston Justice is going to have to make the first start of his career at left tackle in place of William Thomas. That matchup - Justice against defensive ends Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck - definitely would favor the Giants, and probably require some help from tight ends Matt Schobel and Brent Celek.

If the Eagles can protect quarterback Donovan McNabb, he should be able to complete some long balls to Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown against a weak Giants secondary. Rookie cornerback Aaron Ross, the Giants' first-round pick out of Texas, is expected to get his first NFL start today in place of Corey Webster, who was benched in the second half against Washington. The Giants rank 29th in the league in pass defense and have just four sacks, one fewer than Eagles defensive end Trent Cole.

Special teams
The Eagles are coming off their best special-teams performance of the year, but it still can't be considered anything more than mediocre as a unit. Reno Mahe has brought stability and some elusiveness to punt returns while also helping on coverage, along with J.R. Reed. David Akers has been perfect on field goals and showed a strong leg on kickoffs against the Lions, nailing three into the end zone. Punter Sav Rocca still can do better despite improving some last week.

The Giants' special teams also have been a mediocre bunch, although they do have some good kickoff-return options in rookie Ahmad Bradshaw and veteran Reuben Droughns. Ahmad Bradshaw is averaging 26 yards per return, good enough for fourth in the NFC. Punt returner R.W. McQuarters is averaging just 7.6 yards per return. Kicker Lawrence Tynes, acquired in a trade with Kansas City in the off-season, has connected on six of seven attempts, including three from beyond 40 yards.

EDGE: Even.

X-factor
We're not a big proponent of these kinds of statistics, but the Eagles have lost five of their last six games before a scheduled bye week and are just 3-5 overall under coach Andy Reid the week before their annual bye.

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