The 8-7 division-leading Eagles will go on the road to face the 4-11 Giants in the final week of this season. Philadelphia is riding high after their enormous 17-9 victory over the Cowboys last week while New York will look to end their season on a three-game winning streak.
If the Eagles win this game, they win the NFC East and automatically make the playoffs. However, if the Giants upset them on Sunday, Philly will need the Redskins to beat the Cowboys in Dallas in order to still win the division and make the postseason.
If the Eagles lose and the Cowboys win, both teams would finish 8-8 and Dallas would make the playoffs due to a tiebreaker.
The Eagles already beat the Giants a few weeks ago, but they’re 3-4 away from home this year and have lost to struggling teams like Atlanta and Miami. New York completed its season sweep of the Redskins last week but has yet to beat Dallas or Philadelphia.
Philly won’t be at full strength when they enter this game, but that didn’t stop them from beating Dallas. Zach Ertz is inactive due to a fractured rib he sustained against the Cowboys. Meanwhile, Jordan Howard will return after missing six games due to a shoulder injury.
In addition, Carson Wentz will not have many options at receiver. Nelson Agholor will likely miss Week 17 with a knee injury he’s been rehabbing since Week 13, and top wideouts Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson are on injured reserve and will not play again this season.
Wentz will have to rely on tight end Dallas Goedert and wide receivers Greg Ward, Jr. and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside in the passing game. Goedert had nine catches for 91 yards and a touchdown last week while Ward added four grabs for 71 yards.
New York comes into this game looking to provide some hope for Giants fans that have stuck with them through a very disappointing season. Saquon Barkley missed time with an ankle injury, Daniel Jones failed to ignite an offense that has become notorious for failing to put up points, and the team’s defense has given up the third-most points in the NFC. The Giants can’t truly start to rebuild with Eli Manning still roaming the sidelines, and management has had to deal with issues unrelated to football, such as an offensive tweet from now-former Giant Janoris Jenkins.
On the bright side, Barkley is healthy again and rookie cornerback DeAndre Baker is starting to show why New York drafted him in the first round. The Giants will face off against Philly essentially at full strength with the exception of Evan Engram, and they could spoil the Eagles’ season with a strong showing from Jones and Barkley.
If the Eagles win on Sunday, they would earn the fourth seed in the NFC and likely play the loser of Seahawks vs. 49ers in the Wild Card Round.
