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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Tyler Henry

Giants vs. Eagles: 3 reasons for optimism in Week 16

The New York Giants will go on the road to battle the Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas Day.

This will be the first of two meetings between the two teams over the final three weeks of the regular season and the Eagles are heavy favorites in this one.

Despite coming in hoping to snap a three-game losing streak, the Eagles still have Super Bowl aspirations. Meanwhile, the Giants are barely holding on to any glimmer of playoff hopes while also being in contention for a top-5 draft pick.

The Giants haven’t faired well against the Eagles in recent memory, especially in Philadelphia, and clearly, there is still a disparaging talent gap between the two teams.

Here are three reasons for optimism ahead of the Christmas Day divisional matchup.

The Eagles are slumping

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Even with the Eagles coming in as double-digit favorites, they are not the same team that started the season off 10-1.

Certainly, the Giants are not close to the talent level of any of the teams the Eagles have lost to during their three-game losing streak. However, maybe there is a blueprint that has been set by the Eagles’ last three opponents that the Giants can take advantage of.

In particular, for Giants defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, he can pull some things from the Eagles’ tape in order to get their offense off rhythm.

Turnovers

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Prior to their week 15 loss against the New Orleans Saints, Big Blues’ defense was forcing multiple turnovers per game over a three-week span.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia has turned the ball over twice in each of the last two games.

If the Giants can force a few turnovers and give themselves a few extra possessions, their chances of pulling off the upset become much more real.

To do so, the Giants will have to make Jalen Hurts uncomfortable early and often on Monday.

Rallying behind Tommy DeVito

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Before their loss last week to the Saints, the Giants seemed to be rallying behind their third-string quarterback and New Jersey’s own, Tommy DeVito.

Following last week’s loss, head coach Brian Daboll was emphatic and clear in his response that DeVito would get the start once again in Week 16.

It just seems like the Giants seem to work harder when Devito is under center.

The Giants will have their biggest test on Monday, but you can bet DeVito is going to give the Eagles all he’s got.

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