The Eagles (5-6) are set to meet the Giants (3-7) at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, in a Week 12 matchup that could catapult Philadelphia towards a playoff run.

With the rivalry even more intense after some Week 17 shenanigans in 2020, we sat down with Dan Benton, managing editor of The Giants Wire, for 12 questions about the matchup.

1. Eagles Wire

(AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

What’s Daniel Jones’s future with the Giants? Where has it gone wrong? Is there a quarterback in the draft worth the hassle of moving on from the former Duke star?

Benton: It’s hard to say due to the constant state of flux the organization finds itself in as a whole. For Jones’ sake, I hope he’s able to move on and find a clean slate elsewhere — somewhere with a functional team and offensive line so that he’s actually able to reach his full potential. That’s not going to happen in New York, especially with the upcoming GM search where a head coach is forced on the incoming GM. It’s a recipe for disaster and is just burning years off of DJ’s career. That being said, there’s no quarterback prospect coming in that’s more talent than Jones so if the Giants do look to go a different route, it will likely be a retread. And Lord help them whoever they are — it’s not going to be fun for them.

2. Giants Wire

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Going back to last season, how was the Eagles’ deliberate and embarrassing tank job viewed by those in Philly, and how much did it factor into Doug Pederson’s termination?

Erby: The tank job was welcomed and enjoyed, especially considering how Giants players reacted on social media, even causing Eli Manning to jump in the fray. Philadelphia was playing for draft positioning at that point and beating Washington could have been the difference between landing DeVonta Smith via trade and acquiring an extra 2022 pick from Miami.

Doug Pederson’s termination was more about differences in opinion regarding the team’s future at quarterback and the coaching staff.

3. Eagles Wire

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2. Saquon Barkley! Is the running back washed and what has prevented him from becoming the breakout star and rushing champ that many expected?

Benton: Injuries. I wouldn’t call it washed because injuries are what they are — they’re flukey (see: his last sprained ankle) and unpredictable. The issue is that with each new injury, it’s that much more time away from the field and from practice. There’s also the constant revolving door of coaches, coordinators, offensive systems, and offensive linemen in front of him. Similar to Jones, the remarkable lack of consistency is a major roadblock in development. It’s an impossible situation for the team’s skill position players.

4. Giants Wire

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There’s no dancing around it: the Giants wanted Devonta Smith in the 2021 NFL draft. How impactful has he been as a rookie?

Erby: Smith has been a godsend and one of the main reasons for optimism going forward. He’ll likely have 70+ catches and 1,000-yards receiving as a rookie, and that’s something that has never happened in Philadelphia. Smith is smooth, a precise route-runner, and carries the perfect temperament to deal with Eagles fans on a weekly basis.

5. Eagles Wire

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3. Is Joe Judge on the hot seat and if so, who would be the dream hire to help turn things around?

Benton: I would love to say he’s on the hot seat because he certainly deserves to be, but Giants ownership has publicly committed to him beyond just this year. It’s fun to pretend they don’t mean what they say and engage in the what-ifs, but the reality is Judge will be back on the sidelines in 2022 no matter what. John Mara and Steve Tisch realize this constant cycle of swapping coaches is counterproductive and they plan to grit their teeth and just ride this one out. Of course, that will be a detriment to them and the organization when they head out in search of a new GM.

6. Giants Wire

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Jalen Hurts is electric with his legs, but how has he evolved as a passer? What are the strengths and weaknesses of his game in Year 2?

Erby: Jalen Hurts improved tremendously as a passer, utilizing his eyes for downfield throws, and making his progressions, rather than taking off as a runner. Hurts has worked to improve his accuracy, touch on deep throws, and penchant for only rolling out to his right. His weaknesses include the penchant for escaping the pocket too early, not having enough arm strength on certain deep throws, and not properly attacking the middle of the field as a passer.

7. Eagles Wire

4. Under the radar Giants player for Eagles fans to watch?

Benton: Given the number of injuries, it’s really difficult to pin down a name for this question. Feet to the fire, I’d say safety Xavier McKinney, but I am not really sure he classifies as “under-the-radar” anymore. That said, he’s a tremendously talented young star that’s just beginning to blossom. He’s solid in all phases of the game and improving.

8. Giants Wire

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Boston Scott is a known Giants killer but here in 2021, who are some under-the-radar players, New York should be wary of?

Erby: Middle linebacker T.J. Edwards is among the NFL’s leading tacklers since being inserted into the lineup and he’ll likely introduce himself to Saquon Barkley early on. Edwards can struggle in pass coverage, but he’s brought stability to the Eagles’ defense and has excelled as a playmaker in recent weeks.

9. Eagles Wire

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5. Can Kadarius Toney become a star at WR?

He certainly has the potential to become a star, but a few things are holding him back: the offensive system, a mind-blowing lack of use, and injuries. He’s injured entirely too often and misses more time than not, and that leads to a limited number of plays. He certainly flashes when he has the ball but it’s not enough. Hopefully, he can heal up and carve out a new role under whoever calls the plays, but time is ticking on his rookie season already.

10. Giants Wire

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The Giants are not a good football team. There’s no sense in pretending otherwise. But in looking at the matchup on paper, where do you feel the Giants have an advantage?

Erby: Philadelphia struggles to cover tight ends and running backs in pass coverage and Sunday could provide an optimum opportunity for Barkley and tight end Evan Engram to have monster games depending on how Eagles defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon chooses to attack.

At times, Gannon plays passive defense schemes when facing talented passers and if New York can give Daniel Jones time in the pocket, there are matchups to be had against Alex Singleton and at times, T.J. Edwards in the passing game.

11.

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6. Are the Giants still upset about the tank job and what was the big deal?

Benton: I think Judge made himself very clear and represented the voices of many last seasons when he expressed his displeasure over what the Eagles did. It was less about how it impacted the Giants and more about how it was a slap in the face of everyone who had sacrificed so much due to the COVID-19 pandemic. People had given up their lives, saw less of their families, were poked and prodded all year just to step on that field and the Eagles basically said, “to hell with all of that” and went rogue. It was an insult to everyone who had given up so much to play the game. It’s something that would have been frowned upon in a normal year, so it’s easy to see why it was viewed through such a poor lens during a remarkably challenging year. Currently, the Giants have too many of their own problems to deal with to consider that headed into Week 12, but I’d be lying if I said some of the coaches and players won’t have it sitting in the back of their minds.

12.

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Greg Ward (84) rushes with pressure from New York Giants cornerback James Bradberry (24) in the second half. The Giants defeat the Eagles, 27-17, at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020.
Nyg Vs Phi

7. Who wins and why?

Benton: Despite literally everything I just said and everything that’s wrong with the Giants, I still genuinely believe they are going to pick up the W on Sunday. I don’t say that with the belief that they’re the better team, I just feel they are going to rally around Judge and the remaining coordinators and play a solid game. The offense will also open up a bit more, which will certainly help in a number of areas. Plus, they are retiring Michael Strahan’s jersey at halftime and there’s no way they can ruin that ceremony like they ruined Eli’s jersey retirement before that.