The Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants are about to renew their historic rivalry at Lincoln Financial Field on Saturday, the first time the teams have met in the playoffs since the 2000 season – when the Giants defeated the Eagles in the NFC Divisional Round. Philadelphia and New York have met four times in the postseason, with the Giants winning the first two matchups (1981, 2000) and the Eagles winning the last two matchups (2006, 2008).
Philadelphia earned the No. 1 seed – and home field advantage through the playoffs – by finishing with the best record in the conference (14-3), while New York was the No. 6 seed in the playoffs (9-7 -1 ) and advanced to the division round for the first time since winning Super Bowl XLVI in the 2011 season (thanks to a 31-24 victory over the Minnesota Vikings).
The Eagles won both matchups, 48-22 in Week 14 and 22-16 in Week 18, though New York rested its starters in Week 18 as it was already tied in the number 6 seed in the NFC. In the 48–22 victory, the Eagles rushed for 253 yards and scored the most points ever against the Giants on the road.
Philadelphia leads the all-time series, 92-88-2, including 33-13 in their past 46 encounters against New York (since the Giants defeated the Eagles in the NFC Division playoffs in 2000). Can the Giants turn the rivalry around on Saturday? Will Philadelphia continue its dominance over New York?
How to watch
Date: Saturday January 21 | Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Place: Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia)
TV: Fox | Current: fuboTV (free trial)
Follow: CBS Sports App
Opportunities: Eagles -7.5, O/U 48
Recommended game | Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants
Giants offensive line vs. Eagle’s pass rush
The Giants offensive line has improved in 2022, but faces a huge test against the Eagles’ passing rush. The Eagles had a 38% pressing percentage this season, which was the second best in the NFL. Philadelphia finished the season with 70 sacks, third by a team in a season in NFL history. The Eagles had four players finish the season with more than 10 sacks, with Haason Reddick leading the team with 16 and Brandon Graham, Josh Sweat and Javon Hargrave each with 11.
New York allowed a 43% pressure percentage, the highest in the league. Philadelphia had seven sacks and 23 pressures in the Week 14 victory over New York (when both teams played their starters), marking a season-high in pressure for the Eagles. The allowed pressure percentage of 53.5% was the second highest pressure percentage allowed by New York all season.
The Eagles will have their full contingent of pass rushers for Saturday’s game, while the Giants will also have their offensive starting line intact. New York’s offensive line couldn’t be more inefficient than it was in Week 14.
Eagles run game vs. Giants run defense
The Eagles and Giants both have two of the best rushing offenses in football, with Philadelphia ranking fifth in rushing yards per game (147.6) and first in rushing touchdowns (32). The Giants are fourth in rushing yards per game (147.8) and fourth in rushing touchdowns (21), but there is a huge advantage that plays in the Eagles’ favor.
New York ranks 31st in yards allowed per attempt (5.2) and 27th in yards allowed per game (144.2). The Giants allowed the Eagles 253 yards in their Week 14 matchup as Philadelphia averaged 8.2 yards per carry. Miles Sanders had 144 yards and averaged 8.5 yards per carry, while Jalen Hurts finished with 77 yards and 11.0 yards per carry. The two combined for three touchdowns.
The Giants have allowed just 113.2 rush yards per game since that attack by the Eagles, even though Philadelphia gained 135 over New York in the Week 18 game.
Prediction
Is Hurts’ shoulder good enough to make the Eagles offense click on all cylinders? That answer won’t be clear until Saturday night, but it hurts not to be on the injury report and getting that extra week of rest are excellent signs. The Eagles also have their contingent of starters ready for this one, with Avonte Maddox as the lone starter (toe).
Philadelphia is more talented than New York, but the Giants are well coached and Daniel Jones is coming off his best game of the year. The Eagles’ defense is more aggressive than the Vikings and should benefit from a sensitive Giants offensive line.
The Eagles will need to score early and often to take the Giants out of this game, carrying the momentum of the home crowd with them.
Recommended game | Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants
Eagles 34, Giants 21
