Eagles May Need To Air It Out Against The Giants
By Ed Benkin
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- All season long, the Eagles have emphasized the need to get the running game going. The team may try a different approach on Monday.
The Eagles will host the Giants in a critical NFC East showdown, with New York coming to town riding a three-game winning streak. One of the reasons for the Giants' recent surge has been their ability to stop the run. The Giants are currently ranked second in the NFL in run defense and Chip Kelly knows his running backs will face one of their toughest tests of the season.
"They have done an outstanding job at stopping the rush in the first five games," said Kelly. "They have done it against everybody they have played. They are big inside with (Johnathan) Hankins and Cullen Jenkins in there. Their linebackers are downhill, physical linebackers that are really geared towards stopping the run."
DeMarco Murray finally got on track last week with an 83-yard rushing performance against the Saints. The Eagles running back knows the Giants present a more difficult challenge, and Murray is quite familiar with the New York defense from his days in Dallas.
"They're one of the top defenses against the run," Murray said. "I've been able to play against those guys the last four years, so it's always been a challenge. I think we definitely have to be on our edge to face up against those guys."
Jason Kelce also has plenty of respect for the New York defense. He knows the Giants are tough against the run, but Kelce also believes the Eagles offense is finally starting to click after a 519-yard performance against the Saints.
"I do feel like we've got some momentum going," said Kelce. "Obviously, that's the best our offense has played this year as whole. Hopefully, it will carry over to this week. I think that you try to avoid thinking too much about big picture stuff. You just try and continue to improve and continue to get better."
The Eagles may look to take advantage of the New York secondary. The Giants are ranked last in the league in pass defense and starting Cornerback Prince Amukamara is out with an injury. Eagles Wide Receiver Josh Huff is hoping to build on his strong performance from last week. Huff has been outspoken when it comes to criticism of the Giants' secondary, but isn't worried about his comments turning into bulletin board material.
"I respect my opponents and I want them to respect me," Huff said. "If I see weaknesses, I'm going to point them out. I'm pretty sure they're going to do the same with me."
