EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants' secondary this week jumps from the fire into the…fire?

Seven days after facing one of the NFL finest wide receiver tandems in Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Giants Sunday must defend against another excellent duo in Philadelphia's A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith.

Their presence influences not only the pass defense, but the entire game plan, a sizeable segment of which will be devoted to former Giants running back Saquon Barkley.

"It is (a similar challenge)," defensive coordinator Shane Bowen said. "I would say the challenging part of that for us a little bit is the run game. It's just what you're willing to live with at times. You're delegating resources, you're playing light box (to place more emphasis on stopping the pass). There's a give-and-take to all that stuff. We're going to have to be able to pick our spots and understand that.

"But yeah, knowing both those guys, very similar to last week. And I think understanding the skill sets of each guy and how they play, they're different, just like Higgins and Chase are different-type players. When we're matched up on somebody knowing their play style, who they are, we got to have awareness of them every play. We hopefully do a great job if they catch it underneath of rallying and getting them on the ground and do our best to keep them from getting behind us."

Cornerback Cor'Dale Flott is one of the players tasked with meeting those goals.

"I feel like every week we're going to face some elite receivers," Flott said. "We got to go ahead, we got to play ball, we got to understand our assignment. They're good players, we're good players, and it just comes down to doing the basics and executing."

Higgins and Chase combined for 12 catches on 13 targets for 149 yards. Neither of the Bengals' two touchdowns in their 17-7 victory were through the air.

"We did good as a unit," Flott said. "We just didn't come out with the win."

A victory this week will thrust the Giants back into the NFC East race, while a loss will drop them to 2-5. Divisional games always take on added importance, and the Eagles are arguably the Giants' top rivals.

Smith played in only the first meeting with the Giants last season and caught four passes for 79 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown. He missed the Eagles' Sept. 29 loss at Tampa Bay with a concussion, and in four games this year has 24 catches for 303 yards and two scores.

In two games in 2023 vs. the Giants, Brown caught seven passes for 89 yards and one touchdown. He played only 12 snaps in the season finale. A hamstring injury limited him to two games this season, the opener vs. Green Bay and last week against Cleveland. Not coincidentally, those are two of Philadelphia's three victories. Brown gained more than 100 yards in each and has totaled 235 yards and two touchdowns on 11 receptions.

"Two elite receivers, two different receivers, with a good quarterback and a good running back," Flott said. "Smith is more of a quicker, faster, leaner, run routes receiver. A.J. Brown, explosive dude, bigger body, catches the ball with strong hands. You got to play them different and understand your personnel."

Bowen is very familiar with Brown because they were together on the Tennessee Titans from 2019-21.

"He's strong," Bowen said. "He's really, really good with the ball in his hands. He's tough to bring down. Probably one of the better catch and run guys in the league. If he has space and he's full steam ahead, it's tough to get him on the ground. The ball skills down the field, being able to adjust his body, find ways to shield receivers, really, really good hands. And I think just from year one to year two down there, he took some major strides in becoming who he is today, and he's obviously progressed even more in his time in Philly. But the thing that really stands out to me is just the play strength. That's something we got to be ready for. We got to be able to match and handle at times."

In addition to Barkley, another problem posed by Philadelphia's offense is the man who both runs and throws, quarterback Jalen Hurts, who has passed for 1,194 yards and six touchdowns and run for 196 yards and two more scores.

"The ability to run the football is always there with him," Bowen said. "You've got to do a good job there. Obviously for us, we've struggled with some of these guys running the ball on us. On critical downs and third down, we're going to have to do a good job trying to keep him in the pocket and hopefully he doesn't get out and hurt us with his legs in the passing game.

"But they're talented. They're going to find ways to get the playmakers the ball. They got a lot of them over there. We're going to have to do a good job being locked in. It's a little bit different animal because of the run game, what they can do in the run game, how they're structured up front. Obviously with Saquon and then you add in those guys on the perimeter, it's a little bit different animal than some of these other teams we've faced up to this point."

For the Giants' defense, it's time to fire up.

*Malik Nabers today practiced fully for the first time since suffering a concussion three weeks ago. He was later examined, declared healthy, and removed from the NFL concussion protocol. His groin tightened up on him as practice concluded and has been added to his listing on the injury report.

Another wideout, Wan'Dale Robinson, was a full participant after he was limited yesterday by an ankle injury.

*Cornerback Adoree' Jackson was added to the report and did not practice because of a neck issue. Defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence (hip), linebacker Brian Burns (groin) and punter Jamie Gillan (left hamstring) missed practice for the second straight day.

Asked about the game availability of Lawrence and Burns, coach Brian Daboll said, "I just know they're not practicing today."

*Four players were limited: running back Devin Singletary (groin), wide receivers Darius Slayton (groin) and Bryce Ford-Wheaton (shoulder), and linebacker/special teamer Ty Summers (hamstring).