The Giants face the Eagles in Philadelphia on Sunday:
A look at the playmakers of the Giants' upcoming opponent
QB Carson WentzThe second overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft established a franchise and all-time rookie record with 379 completions in his debut season.
RB Darren SprolesHe is the only player in NFL history with 30 receiving TDs (30), 20 rushing TDs (22), a kickoff return TD (2) and a punt return TD (7).
WR Alshon JefferyThe former Bears wide receiver caught his first touchdown as an Eagle last week against the Chiefs.
LT Jason PetersOne of the best left tackles in the game, Peters is a nine-time Pro Bowler and six-time All-Pro selection.
DT Fletcher CoxThe two-time Pro Bowler is tied for fourth all-time among Eagles interior linemen with 30.5 career sacks.
DE Brandon GrahamThe longest-tenured member of the Eagles defense, Graham was named second-team All-Pro in 2016. He has 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble so far in 2017.
Safety Malcolm JenkinsThe veteran had two interceptions in his last game against the Giants, one of which he returned 34 yards for a touchdown.
1. ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILLY
The New York Giants (0-2) take on the Philadelphia Eagles (1-1) in Week 3 at Lincoln Financial Field, where Big Blue has not won since 2013. Coincidentally, it was also the NFC East rivals' last day game at the venue as the Giants have dropped three consecutive night games. This week's kickoff is at 1 p.m.
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"Well, one thing that can help us is it won't be a late game," said offensive lineman Justin Pugh, who grew up outside Philadelphia. "I feel like we've gone down there primetime every game and you give those Philly people a few hours to get after it, they're going to have a couple cocktails now. I can speak from experience on that.
"So playing them a 1 o'clock, they will still probably be groggy-eyed from Saturday hopefully. But knowing them, they will gear up for when the Giants come to town. They'll all get ready to boo Pugh. So it's going to be a loud environment still, obviously, we know that. We've got to go out there and be on our game, play our best football."
2. THE ROAD FROM 0-2
Since realignment in 2002, 60 percent of the playoff teams (108 of 180) started the season at either 1-1 or 0-2, including eight of 12 last year. The Giants, who started last year 2-0 and made the postseason, are in the latter group. Their division opponents – Dallas, Washington, and Philadelphia – are all 1-1 heading onto Week 3.
3. GIANTS INJURY REPORT
Out: LB B.J. Goodson (shin), RT Bobby Hart (ankle), LB J.T. Thomas (groin)
Questionable: CB Janoris Jenkins (ankle)
4. EAGLES INJURY REPORT
Out: CB Ronald Darby (ankle), S Corey Graham (hamstring), DT Destiny Vaeao (wrist), S Jaylen Watkins (hamstring)
Questionable: S Rodney McLeod (hamstring), WR Torrey Smith (illness)
5. CHANGES?
Following his team's eighth consecutive game without scoring at least 20 points, coach Ben McAdoo said the changes this week might be "a little bit more drastic." In their first two losses this year, the Giants have combined for just 13 points and an NFC-worst point differential of minus-30.
"Yeah, we can't keep doing the same thing over and over again," McAdoo said the day after the loss to the Lions. "That's insanity."
6. PERSONNEL CHANGES
Changes might also be coming to the lineup. Last week, the staff made a change in the normal down and distance with the running backs and evened out the reps a little with Paul Perkins (seven carries), Shane Vereen (six) and Orleans Darkwa (three). On the offensive line, there was some shuffling after right tackle Bobby Hart aggravated his sprained ankle on the first drive. As a result, Pugh moved over from left guard to right tackle, and Brett Jones took over at left guard.
7. ODELL RAMPNG UP FOR MILESTONE
In his first game back from a preseason ankle injury, Odell Beckham Jr. played 34 snaps, which came out to 60.7 percent of the total offensive plays. The three-time Pro Bowler said he came away without any setbacks and will just keep ramping up the rehab to "get as good as you can get."
Meanwhile, he is eight catches shy of breaking the record as the fastest player in NFL history to 300 career receptions. Beckham currently has 292 in 44 games. Anquan Boldin holds the record at 47 games.
8. WENTZ LOOKING LIKE RODGERS
Quarterback Carson Wentz, the second overall pick in last year's draft, set the all-time rookie record with 379 completions last year for the Eagles. In Year 2, he looks even more comfortable, especially under pressure. That's what the Giants' defensive players noticed this week in film study. All-Pro defensive tackle Damon Harrison even said that at times he "looks like Aaron Rodgers out there running around, evading the rush and still making some pretty good throws."
9. WHAT A RUSH
Led by defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and defensive end Brandon Graham, Philadelphia is tied for fourth in the league with eight sacks, which is the same number of times Eli Manning has been taken down so far this season. This comes a year after Manning was sacked only 21 times in 16 games.
10. MUNSON IN THE MIDDLE
Once it became apparent late last week that B.J. Goodson likely wouldn't suit up, Calvin Munson started taking reps and making the calls with the first team at middle linebacker. The undrafted rookie out of San Diego State didn't flinch when kickoff rolled around and recorded seven solo tackles, including a sack. Staying in the linebacker room, Keenan Robinson was cleared from the concussion protocol on Thursday. A fixture in the Giants' sub packages, Robinson has not appeared in a game this year, preseason or otherwise.
