EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. − Thee Eagles can clinch a playoff spot by the end of the day Sunday.
The easiest way is with a win or tie over the Giants at MetLife Stadium.
If not, the Eagles can get in with losses by both the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers. The Seahawks are playing host to the Carolina Panthers, while the 49ers play host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both games start at 4:25 p.m.
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No doubt, the Eagles would rather get in with a victory. That would give the Eagles a 12-1 record and thus help their chances to wrap up the NFC East title, not to mention the top seed in the NFC, when they play the Dallas Cowboys (9-3) on Dec. 24.
And certainly, the Eagles have had some memorable late-season games since MetLife Stadium opened in 2010, none more so than the Miracle of the Meadowlands Part II game later that year on Dec. 19.
The Eagles trailed 31-10 with less than 10 minutes remaining when they scored three touchdowns to tie the game. They won it on DeSean Jackson’s 65-yard punt return as time expired. On the punt return, Jackson at first fumbled the ball, picked it up, then burst down the right sideline before cutting all the way across the field as time expired.
The Eagles have two players remaining from that game − one from each team − although neither played. Defensive end Brandon Graham was the Eagles’ first-round pick that spring. But Graham suffered a season-ending knee injury the week before in Dallas.
New Eagles defensive tackle Linval Joseph was also a rookie, but with the Giants as their second-round pick. Joseph didn’t play that game as he was a healthy scratch. He became a full-time starter the next week.
Joseph told Delawareonline.com/The Delaware News Journal that he remembers that game vividly 12 years later.
“DeSean Jackson, he fumbled the ball, picked it up, ran it in and celebrated − and crushed our season,” Joseph said. “Our season was over after that play. It was just one of those years.”
Joseph was asked what the mood in the locker room was like. He replied: “We lost. We were upset. All that hard work, we didn’t finish. And we took that into next year, and we finished.”
The Giants missed the playoffs that season despite a 10-6 record. The Eagles got in with the same record. The next season, the Giants won the Super Bowl.
This year, the Giants, at 7-4-1, are fighting for a playoff spot. The game starts at 1 p.m., and will be broadcast on FOX with Joe Davis, Daryl Johnston and Pam Oliver providing coverage.
Eagles inactives, and Giants star playing
CB Avonte Maddox is making his return after missing the previous four games with a hamstring injury. Maddox was activated off of injured reserve Saturday. LB Christian Elliss received a practice-squad elevation for the second straight week. Elliss was used on special teams.
The Eagles’ inactives are QB Ian Book, RB Trey Sermon, LB Shaun Bradley, DE Janarius Robinson, G Josh Sills, G Sua Opeta.
For the Giants, RB Saquon Barkley (neck) is playing, but DT Leonard Williams is not. Williams (knee) was listed as doubtful.
3 things I’m watching
- Hurts’ revenge game: Jalen Hurts had the worst game of his career when the Eagles lost 13-7 to the Giants at MetLife Stadium last Nov. 28. He threw 3 interceptions, had a passer rating of 17.5, and sprained his ankle in the second half to boot. Since that game, Hurts is 14-1 as a starter, with 23 TD passes and 4 INTs.
- Bradberry’s revenge game: For the second straight week, the Eagles have a player going against his former team. Cornerback James Bradberry was upset last spring when the Giants released him in late May as opposed to when free agency began two months later. Most teams had little salary cap room left in May, so he signed a one-year deal with the Eagles. Bradberry is having a Pro Bowl caliber season. No doubt he would like to show his former team what it’s missing.
- Stopping Saquon: Saquon Barkley is fourth in the NFL with 1,055 yards rushing, and he will be the focal point of the Giants offense. The Eagles’ defensive line shut down Tennessee’s Derrick Henry last week. Rookie Jordan Davis returned for that game after going on IR with an ankle injury.
Prediction: Eagles 31, Giants 13.
Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on Twitter @Mfranknfl.
