THIS still isn’t playoff football. It does however have a very similar feel. In any case I’m excited about this game. I wasn’t excited about the Dolphins game. I expected a win, but I can’t say that I got the vibe I’m getting now. I am digging my current vibe.

We are not only still alive in the hunt for the NFC East, but we stone cold, still control our own destiny. If we go 9 – 7 that means we beat Dallas, so they can’t finish better than 9 -7. With identical division records, the next layer of tie-breakers is common games.

Our common, non-division opponents are the Jets, Dolphins, Bills, Patriots, Green Bay, Minnesota, Detroit and Chicago. They are 2 – 6 vs that group. We are 4 – 4. If we win out, we win the East. Done deal. So this is 100% on us.

So let’s talk about the Four Things we need to focus on this week versus New York:

1) No disrespect: Due to injury QB Daniel Jones will be shelved, and our old pal Eli Manning will be starting in his place. After 10 games on the bench, Struggle Face is bound to be a tad rusty and his timing at least a little bit off. That however, doesn’t mean that we can treat him like a rookie, and throw poorly disguised blitzes at him. I mean, show some respect. The man has won two Super Bowls. Better to show him tough coverages, than to try to be slick and get Fitzpatrick’d again. This game should be the nail in Manning’s coffin. Let’s make it a somber, dignified ceremony.

2) Throw the ball: I know we’ve been screaming that the Eagles should run the ball, but the giants are giving up an average of 8.5 yards per attempt (per non-adjusted passing yardage). If we can’t get laid in that whorehouse, it will be a direct indication of how poor our receiver stable is.

3) Rush the passer: Manning lacks the mobility that Jones has, so he’s practically a statue in the pocket. Instead of blitzing him, rushing four with an emphasis on getting players in the “A” gaps should provide enough pressure to force errant passes. DT Fletcher Cox will be playing across from RG Kevin Zeitler, who’s an overpaid fraud. That means Cox will draw a lot of double-teams. We need DT Timmy Jernigan and NT Anthony Rush to win some one on one’s against LG Will Hernandez. That’s no easy request, but we need it to happen. If we can generate pressure that way, we can rush with four, play contain, drop seven, squeeze passing lanes, and have bodies in the area for tipped and batted passes. This is what we should have been doing since Training Camp. Fire Jim Schwartz and hire me!

4) Screen Carson’s visitors: The giants get their sacks from their OLB’s. Same as the Redskins. This makes them susceptible to TE Outs, passes to the Flat, checkdowns, and oh my god, Screens. Especially off of play-action, which sucks ILB’s into their run fits. Even the smart ones. Screens to either WR Nelson Agholor in the Slot, or to TE Dallas Geodert in 21 Personnel (Balanced Line), should make for easy 20 yard gains at least once each in the game. Especially if we move QB Carson Wentz around like we did last week. Just don’t let the edge players tip the passes!

If we do all these things, we’re just about guaranteed to win. Now that we’ve covered what should happen, let’s get into what likely will happen:

It’s that game again, Eagles fans!!!

You know the one. The one that leaves you asking all game long “Where was this last week?!” The Eagles are going to look like a team that belongs in the postseason. Even you skeptics will want to believe, as you say on Tuesday morning “Yeah, but it was only the giants”.

Well I have a news flash for you, pal. The remainder of these games are against the “just” echelon of opponents. If they all suck ass, we may as well beat them and feel good, as opposed to lose to them and feel shitty. Right?

PREDICTION: EAGLES 24 – giants 13