Giants at Eagles
The New York Giants' road to their first postseason berth in five years could reach its intended destination on Thursday, as they travel down Interstate 95 to visit the NFC East-rival Philadelphia Eagles. The Giants have won two in a row overall, but their mediocre 3-3 mark away from home leaves a bit to be desired as they attempt to capture their first playoff berth since their magical 2011 season when they went on to win Super Bowl XLVI.
Eli Manning threw two of his season-high four touchdown passes to Odell Beckham Jr. in New York's 28-23 victory over Philadelphia on Nov. 6 and has tossed multiple scoring strikes in six of his last seven contests. Beckham reeled in a one-handed gem for a touchdown in Sunday's 17-6 triumph over Detroit and joined John Jefferson and Randy Moss as the lone players in NFL history with at least 1,000 receiving yards and 10 TD catches in each of their first three seasons. Manning and Beckham could be in for a big day against cellar-dwelling Philadelphia, which has dropped five in a row overall and has allowed two passing scores in each of its last four games. Rookie Carson Wentz failed to throw for a touchdown in the first meeting with the Giants and for the fourth time in seven games in the Eagles' 27-26 setback to the Ravens.
TV: 8:25 p.m. ET, NBC, NFL Network. LINE: Giants -2.5. O/U: 41.5
ABOUT THE GIANTS (10-4): Veteran Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie could be inserted in the starting lineup in place of fellow cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who was limited in Tuesday's practice due to a balky back. Signed to a five-year deal worth $62.5 million in the offseason, Jenkins has shadowed the opponent's No. 1 receiver while starting all 14 games for New York this season and has missed just four contests in his five-year career. Both Jenkins and Rodgers-Cromartie have a team-best 17 pass deflections in addition to three interceptions, with the latter picking off a pass last week versus the Lions. New York's opportunistic defense has stepped it up by recording at least one turnover in eight straight games.
ABOUT THE EAGLES (5-9): Ryan Mathews continued his hot streak at the expense of the Ravens' top-ranked defense, rushing for a season-best 128 yards on 6.4 yards a carry while collecting his fifth touchdown in six games. Mathews found the end zone in the first meeting with the Giants, but was limited to just 15 yards on five carries while fellow running back Darren Sproles had 57 yards on 13 totes in that contest. Sproles was limited to just 19 carries for 81 yards in his last five games before sustaining a concussion, but the veteran could be closing in on a return after practicing on Tuesday.
EXTRA POINTS
1. New York rookie WR Sterling Shepard reeled in a touchdown reception in the first meeting with Philadelphia, igniting a run of five scores in his last seven games.
2. Eagles RT Lake Johnson is expected to be in the starting lineup after serving a 10-game suspension for a second violation of the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances.
3. Giants DE Olivier Vernon has a team-leading 8.5 sacks - including 7.5 in his last seven games.