Jeff Pasquino
Footballguy
Those of you concerned about McNabb and using the first Giants/Eagles matchup as a barometer of what will transpire this week are sadly mistaken.
There were a lot of factors about that first game that made it the pseudo-rout that it was last time (I think it was 16-3), and it wasn't as close as the score indicated. The Giants sacked McNabb what seemed like hundreds of times (but they stopped counting at 12, apparently) and they controlled the entire game.
So what is different?
1. Brian Westbrook is playing. He missed this game, and everyone saw just how important 36 is to that team. He is that offense way more than McNabb is for the Eagles. They are a much different, and much worse, team without Westy.
2. The offensive line is healthier for Philly. Winston Justice had to try and block Osi Umenyiora, who had everything but a red cape when he yelled "Olé!!!" when the bull dashed by six times.
3. The Giants aren't as healthy. Plaxico Burr-ess? Ankle and knee problems. Running back? Reuben Droughns is no Brandon Jacobs, who is more likely than not to miss this game, and if he can go he won't be 100%. The secondary (Gibril Wilson and Co.) is also hurting for Big Blue.
Am I predicting that the Eagles will win? Well, they are favored at home, but the Giants are 8-4. I'm not convinced at all how this game will wind up on the scoreboard, but I will say that with Westy back and a healthier O-line (or "Justice Free") the game will go much differently.
Just keep all of this in mind if you are concerned about putting someone in your fantasy lineup this week - don't expect Philly to do nothing and McNabb to get sacked 10+ times again.
There were a lot of factors about that first game that made it the pseudo-rout that it was last time (I think it was 16-3), and it wasn't as close as the score indicated. The Giants sacked McNabb what seemed like hundreds of times (but they stopped counting at 12, apparently) and they controlled the entire game.
So what is different?
1. Brian Westbrook is playing. He missed this game, and everyone saw just how important 36 is to that team. He is that offense way more than McNabb is for the Eagles. They are a much different, and much worse, team without Westy.
2. The offensive line is healthier for Philly. Winston Justice had to try and block Osi Umenyiora, who had everything but a red cape when he yelled "Olé!!!" when the bull dashed by six times.
3. The Giants aren't as healthy. Plaxico Burr-ess? Ankle and knee problems. Running back? Reuben Droughns is no Brandon Jacobs, who is more likely than not to miss this game, and if he can go he won't be 100%. The secondary (Gibril Wilson and Co.) is also hurting for Big Blue.
Am I predicting that the Eagles will win? Well, they are favored at home, but the Giants are 8-4. I'm not convinced at all how this game will wind up on the scoreboard, but I will say that with Westy back and a healthier O-line (or "Justice Free") the game will go much differently.
Just keep all of this in mind if you are concerned about putting someone in your fantasy lineup this week - don't expect Philly to do nothing and McNabb to get sacked 10+ times again.