Cole draped on Manning is what the Birds need today.


It's always fun when the Eagles and Giants go at it. Most Philly fans would say that the Cowboys are the most hated rivals, but Brian Dawkins always used to say that nothing got his blood pumping like Giants week -- both of them.

The Giants, however, are a bit limp heading into this game. They won five straight games to start the year, then they lost four straight, and now they're 2-1 since then to bring them to a 7-5 record that will force them to win out and get some help if they're going to win the division.

Beating the Eagles tonight would be a good start to that as it would bring both teams to 8-5 with a series split, but the Eagles are going to be fighting just as hard to win this game and keep pace with the Cowboys and their less-than-tenuous division lead.

Let's see what it's going to take for the Eagles to keep pace, and to end the Giants' hopes in the Meadowlands tonight.


Get Pressure on Eli Manning

It's not secret that Eli has been banged up all season long. His foot has been giving him issues throwing the ball all year, and the Eagles were able to victimize him the last time these two teams met.

He's not able to plant properly which is resulting in the ball sailing over the head of his receiver and, more often than not, into the arms of a waiting defender. Asante Samuel and Quintin Demps each grabbed a pick off Eli without pressure in his face, so with some pressure I imagine he'll throw the ball much more erratic.

Eli has always had a reputation of a guy who will just throw the ball up for grabs rather than getting hit, so if the Birds can get Trent Cole, Jason Babin, Darren Howard, and the like in his face it will result in a long day for Eli and some quick points for the Eagles.


Stuff the Box With Eight Guys Every Play

This coincides a little bit with getting pressure on Eli, but this one is more about stopping the run and not fearing the Giants' receivers.

With Plaxico Burress gone, the Eagles corners aren't dwarfed by their receivers anymore. Their guys may be a bit faster, but Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel are able to stick with anyone in the league based solely on great technique, so that's not exactly worrisome.

If Sean McDermott will put eight in the box every play, the Birds should easily be able to stifle the 1-2 punch of Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw. That forces Eli to try and beat them, and then my first point comes into play.

See how this all fits together?

Off of this set McDermott can then start to employ some zone blitzes and get to Eli's hot reads before he can. Once again, should result in a long day for Eli and some quick points for the Birds.


Heavy Dose of the "Dream Weaver" and "Real McCoy"

It's a key to every game -- call me stubborn -- and it won't change no matter who the Eagles are playing. They must run the ball to win the game. I don't buy into the nonsense that now you pass to setup the run because it just doesn't make sense. The run will always set up the pass -- passing will do nothing more than make your team soft when it comes time to run.

Leonard Weaver has done more than enough to warrant more carries, and the rookie LeSean McCoy has been sensational when he gets the starting nod. The Eagles have something here in these two, so let's just hope that the duo of Andy Reid and Marty Mornhinweg realize it.

You know what will create a very long day for Eli? Watching from the sidelines as his defense gets thumped.