Mike Sliwinski

Whew, ok so last week was brutal. That was some really bad QB play and in some cases, but not all, bad play calling. On top of not clinching the top seed in the NFC, it cost them some draft spots as they own the Saints first rounder next year. Prior to the Saints 3 game win streak it was looking a lot better, but I am getting off topic here.

The Eagles thankfully and deservedly earned themselves 3 chances to get that coveted number 1 seed for the only bye and home field until the Superbowl. The first two didn’t go their way but how will this one go?

They face a fellow NFC east opponent and fellow playoff team. The difference is that their opponent, the Giants, are locked into the 6th seed regardless of the outcome of this game. Yes I am sure the Giants and their fans would love to knock their hated rivals out of the top seed, but they are smart enough to not look a gift horse in the mouth. They are essentially treating it like a bye/preseason game. The Eagles meanwhile need to win to get a bye the following week, when the rest of the remaining NFC teams have to scratch and claw to survive. The Eagles are also getting healthy with Robert Quinn and Gardner Johnson back on Defense and the biggest reason for optimism, the guy I feel deserves league MVP, Jalen Hurts back. The Eagles took care of business in New York against their starters earlier this season. Could they take the back backups lightly? Maybe…but I think they’ve been humbled with their first losing streak (albeit only 2) of the season. Just because it’s the NFL and things have been weird all year and also a division rival, I am not thinking it’ll be a complete blow out. I see it sort of like the Houston game, where the Eagles don’t run away with it, but still keep the Giants at arm’s length throughout. Enough to frustrate the fan base, but not enough to ever really worry about the outcome. Eagles 27, Giants 14

Pat Mulranen

The Eagles should win this game, whether Jalen Hurts or Gardner Minshew starts Sunday. But let’s assume Hurts is starting, which I think is a solid guarantee.

Hurts needs to start this game for a few reasons. One, and most importantly, the Eagles need to win. Dallas will beat Washington. So, if the Eagles lose, they will lose not only the division title, but the top seed.

It’s important the Eagles win, and Minshew showed last week that he cannot be trusted. Last week, the Eagles should have won. I was at that game, and his pick-six that basically ended the game was right in front of me. I wouldn’t have even made that throw! It still bothers me. Minshew cannot start this game, and I don’t care that the Giants plan to start backups.

Anything can happen.

Second, Jalen Hurts has not played the last two games. If he misses Sunday and, assuming the Eagles get the bye week, that would be four weeks. I don’t care how good he is. It’s not good for a quarterback to sit four weeks and then expect to be fresh for the playoffs.

Hurts needs to play to get into a rhythm and shake off any rust for the playoffs. Minshew has talent and the ability, but he’s off and on.
You should not have faith Minshew can win a must-win game. We learned that last week, and the Giants are better than the Saints. Again, backups or not. This is so important, and Minshew does not instill confidence.

Hopefully, Hurts starts (edit: he’s been announced as starter) Maybe he can help build a big lead against (assumingly) backups. If that’s the case, maybe he can sit at halftime or after the third quarter. Hurts just needs reps, and the Eagles need a win.

More importantly, Hurts needs reps.

A win is just as vital.

Assuming Hurts starts, the Eagles win this game.
Minshew starts? Well, the Eagles could win. … but let’s hope the Eagles do not take that gamble. Start Hurts, and clinch the division and top seed, which Minshew should have (and had many opportunities to) last week. Eagles 28, Giants 15

Sean Selby

Going into this week following that absolutely dismal game against the Saints, it was easy to feel a bit down on the Eagles. Failing to lock up the one seed and a bye on two straight occasions made other teams smell blood in the water. Question is, did the Eagles lose a wing, or was it just a minor cut?

We can easily look at the quarterback play over the last two weeks and blame that. Yes, Gardner Minshew was horrendous against the Saints and we know Hurts would have given them a better chance to win that one. The week before against the Cowboys is a little more debatable, but to me, the bigger question has been the playcalling as of late. Since the Bears game, there have been quite a few head scratching calls, especially at the beginning of games.

Offensive coordinator Shane Steichen admitted that last week was the worst game he ever called. Let’s hope he and Sirianni have learned from that debacle and vow to attack properly. If we see more of the same this week, win or lose, then I’m sorry…but it will be time to be very concerned. If they come out and dominate, then it’s time to make plans for the Eagles to play on Super Bowl Sunday. To me, it really is that extreme of a difference. When this team is on, I really don’t think an NFC team will beat them, but for now, let’s focus on this week shall we?

It’s kind of pointless to get into stats for the Giants as they will be resting most of their starters being they locked up the 6 seed. Davis Webb will be starting for New York, and will have the task of facing an Eagles front looking to break the sack record in a season. Good luck with that assignment. Safety CJ Garner-Johnson will be returning as well from his lacerated kidney The Eagles will have Jalen Hurts back for not only a tune-up game to knock the rust off, but to possibly prove he should be the NFL’s MVP. I expect him to be the Hurts we’ve seen all season, with a little less running around.

Although I feel better today than I did when we recorded this week’s podcast, I am still thinking this game is a little closer than it should be. The Eagles will get a lead but then relax allowing for some points to make you feel a tad uncomfortable, but in the end, the Eagles still win this one by 10 and get next week off. Eagles, 30, Giants 20

Ryan Shead

So here we are, everything the Eagles set out to accomplish during regular season is right in front of them. After struggling last week vs the Saints in a game they should of won they can get that bad taste out of their mouth with a dominant performance today, and I believe that’s what we will see.

 The Giants are locked in to the 6 seed, so it seems they will sit most starters. The Eagles are getting Jalen Hurts and CJ Johnson back,  and this is lining up to be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Eagles.

I think the Eagles will come out with a fast start and remind everyone of the team we have seen for the majority of the season, and lock up the 1 seed and a bye. Eagles win this one going away. Eagles 34, Giants 17

Gary Shead

Wel, it’s the final week of regular Season and usually seeding is all locked up for teams that have 13 wins but unfortunately the Eagles suffered some injuries and poor play calling and dropped 2 straight winnable games to Dallas and New Orleans. They desperately need this win on the final week against the Giants in order to lock up division and the 1 seed .  Our franchise QB Jalen Hurts returns today to start again as the Giants who are in the playoffs as well, will be sitting most of their starters. I do believe that the Eagles will get up on Giants early and by the 3rd quarter the Eagles will give the starters rest of their own. Eagles 32, Giants 10