Giants vs. Eagles: 3 matchups to watch and a few random thoughts

Here are three key matchups in Sunday's game between the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, plus a few random things I'm thinking about before kickoff.

Malik Nabers vs Quinyon Mitchell

If the folks at Bleeding Green Nation are correct, star wide receiver Malik Nabers is generally covered by rookie cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, even when veteran cornerback Darius Slay (questionable/knee) plays against the Giants.

Brandon Lee Gowton wrote:

It is very likely that this game will be a direct duel between two first-round newcomers. Malik Nabers is leaning toward playing for the Eagles. That's good news for the Giants considering how quickly Nabers played for New York. Even though he is still dealing with an injury, he is their best option in the passing game. Quinyon Mitchell has competed against some truly outstanding receivers, but Nabers might be the best yet. If Mitchell can hold onto him, the Eagles win. It's that simple.

The Eagles selected the 6-foot, 193-pound Mitchell No. 22 overall.

In five games and starts, Mitchell has given up just 14 completions on 29 goals (48.3%), six pass breakups and a 70.6 passer rating against him.

Nabers led the NFL in scoring before missing two games due to a concussion. The ball is likely to be thrown his way a lot. This game should be fun to watch and is likely the first of many teams that will pit these two against each other.

Dexter Lawrence vs. Eagles IOL

Dexter Lawrence was more dominant than ever in the Giants' first six games. He has seven sacks, 11 quarterback hits and five tackles for loss while constantly playing double-teamed and sometimes triple-teamed.

The Eagles no longer have Jason Kelce at center.

Pro Football Focus has starting center Cam Jurgens as Philadelphia's lowest-rated starter, aside from quarterback Jalen Hurts. Jurgens allowed six pressures and guards Landon Dickerson and Mehki Becton were each charged with three sacks allowed.

On paper, Lawrence was expected to wreak havoc in the middle.

Giants defense against Saquon Barkley

The Giants – and their fans – know what to expect in Saquon Barkley. A player who can be cornered game after game, but can take advantage of a mistake by a defense to hit a home run and change the game.

They'll also face a Barkley, highly motivated by the circumstances, returning to MetLife Stadium to face the team that signed him but didn't want to give him the expensive, long-term second contract he was looking for.

“All 11 players are needed,” linebacker Micah McFadden said. “He’s a guy who can break tackles. He is dangerous in the passing game. He's explosive, he's got all the movement, he can jump, he can find the crease and he can penetrate a gap. It requires the D-line to stay true to their gap and not jump out, not play peek-a-boo, but for everyone to just do their job, play to their gap and do it consistently.”

“He’s one of those guys. If you give him a little bit of leeway, he can make it to the end,” edge defender Brian Burns said. “He’s dynamic and electrifying in that way. You have to keep him in the phone booth somehow and make his money for him because if you give him a clean shot he can harm you.”

Barkley and many of the Giants remain friends. There is a deep respect. However, as Dexter Lawrence said this week, “Sunday is war and he knows it.”

If the Giants can win the battle with Barkley, it increases their chances of winning the war against the Eagles.

Other random thoughts

• I was surprised by the overwhelming majority of voters in our weekly Reacts poll who want to see Evan Neal as a right-wing attacker and Jermaine Eluemunor as a left-wing attackman. There is also an undercurrent of fans who want to give Neal a chance at left tackle.

I don't think that will ever happen.

Yes, Neal played left tackle at Alabama for one season. By the way, that's all, one season. He played left guard for one year and right tackle for one year. He hasn't played or practiced at left tackle since 2021 – three years ago.

Expecting him to now slide left and play left tackle and at least be able to do it well is a big expectation.

I believe 12-year veteran offensive lineman Chris Hubbard was signed as insurance for Josh Ezeudu at left tackle. Jermaine Eluemunor is playing as well or better than ever at right tackle, and the Giants don't want to disrupt that and perhaps weaken two positions.

• Giants quarterback Daniel Jones was once considered a turnover machine. As of Sunday, it's Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts with the turnover problem. Hurts has 19 interceptions and 14 fumbles (5 lost) and 24 total turnovers in his last 22 games.

Can the Giants take advantage of this? They only have one interception, which came from rookie linebacker Darius Muasau. The Giants have five fumble recoveries, third in the league.