Photo: Chris Richards, used via CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

This week, the Eagles host the Giants on Thursday night for a critical (?!) Week 7 matchup. The Birds are still just a half-game out of first place, with the Giants and the Football Team just a half-game behind. The NFC East is atrocious. This game could be so bad that it pushes people toward the presidential debate.

There was fairly minimal participation in the poll to decide the Week 6 winner, so Joe is claiming victory. John’s challenge will wind through the courts and hopefully be settled by the end of the year.

To the picks!

Joe (4*-0-2): I know you’ve all come to expect a high level of analysis from me when it comes to my picks, but this week is pretty straightforward: the Birds are banged up.

No Miles Sanders. No Zach Ertz. No lack of DeSean Jackson. No offensive line to speak of. No problem?

As I said in this week’s podcast, the best thing to come from Sunday’s loss to the Ravens (in which Calais Campbell dominated) was that Carson Wentz left it healthy. He will be the best player on the field when he’s out there; and if he’s not, he’s going to have to pretend he is. His play will dictate whether or not the Eagles get their first home win of the season.

He doesn’t have to dominate, but he does have to protect the football and figure out who his playmakers will be for the night. I’m assuming it’s Travis Fulgham and Greg Ward, with a dash of Boston Scott, but it might be someone who isn’t even on the roster as of eight hours before kickoff. At least we know it almost certainly won’t be Jamon Brown.

On the other hand, the Giants can’t score. I’m guessing John will make a reference to forcing turnovers, and he’d be right; I’m sensing a Fletcher Cox stripsack and a Darius Slay interception in what will be the start of a solid run for the Eagles defense. Eagles 22, Giants 9.

Offensive Standout: Carson Wentz

Defensive Standout: Fletcher Cox

John (0-4*-2): The Eagles don’t have Miles Sanders. Zach Ertz is out too. They are going to have to run out tackling dummies to play offensive line. I do not know how they will win just a few days after literally running out of plays, but they will find a way to get their second win over the New York Giants on Thursday night.

Unlike their last game against the Giants, where Carson Wentz had to rely on Boston Scott and Greg Ward, the QB has a comparative arsenal of weapons this time around. Scott, Ward, and Travis Fulgham are available for the prime time match. The aforementioned tackling dummies should be able to buy more time for Wentz than they were able to against a formidable Baltimore defense on Thursday. 

The Eagles defense is going to have to step up and play like a team with its season on the line (because the season is on the line). Forcing turnovers and giving Wentz more shots at the end zone are the key to victory. If the Eagles cannot find a way to beat the Giants, Howie Roseman should begin selling off spare parts ahead of the NFL trade deadline. Eagles 25, Giants 20.

Offensive Standout: Carson Wentz

Defensive Standout: Josh Sweat