New York Giants: Time To Leave Divisional Woes Behind
Oct 23, 2016; London, ENG; Quarterback Eli Manning (10) of the New York Giants passes downfield during the third quarter of the game between the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants at Twickenham Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Flynn-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Giants have a chance to prove their struggles against divisional foes are behind them in Sunday’s clash with Philadelphia. 

The New York Giants have been irrelevant when speaking about the playoff picture over the past three seasons. While injuries, inconsistency, and a general lack of talent have been at the forefront of issues, that doesn’t change the fact that Big Blue has been unable to win within its own division. Having won just eight of their last 20 divisional games, the Giants have a chance to make a statement on Sunday afternoon.

Having won just eight of their last 20 divisional games, the Giants have a chance to make a statement on Sunday afternoon.

The Giants’ struggles within their own division have been especially prevalent against their rivals from the southbound New Jersey Turnpike. Having dropped five of their last six to the Philadelphia Eagles, it’s crucial that the G-men prove they can contend with their upstart Philly foes. Since 2013, the Eagles have outscored the Giants by an embarrassing 63 point margin. The Giants have also failed to protect home turf, not having claimed victory at MetLife Stadium over Philly since the final game of the 2012 season.

Since 2013, the Eagles have outscored the Giants by an embarrassing 63 point margin. The Giants have also failed to protect home turf, not having claimed victory at MetLife Stadium over Philly since the final game of the 2012 season.

Giants football hasn’t been played at a high level during the holiday season in four years. To stay competitive in arguably the league’s toughest division, Eli Manning and company will have to lay a haymaker against Carson Wentz and the Birds. Manning is a veteran who has found great success in this league; losing at home to a rookie quarterback is not the way to cement your place as one of the league’s elite. Manning, Odell Beckham Jr., and the rest of the offense can’t afford to let the defense shoulder the load once again.

The New York Giants have received significant (and well deserved) criticism due to the offense’s inconsistency. Having scored seven points or fewer in three of their last seven meetings against Philly, the team’s BYE week needs to have had a positive effect on the offense. Although the Giants are among the league’s best in protecting the quarterback (allowing 1.57 sacks per game is fourth-best in the NFL), their quick throws and nonexistent running game have limited points. Add in a turnover differential of -7 (28th in NFL), and you have an offense that scores just 19 points per game.

Though the G-men haven’t allowed many sacks, they’ll have their work cut out for them against Jim Schwartz’s defense which ranks third in the league in sacks (22) and fifth in passing yards allowed per game (214.1). How the Giants protect Manning could easily be the key to the game, given how they’ve struggled to do so in years past.

Defensively, the Giants will have to contain rookie phenom Carson Wentz, who will get his first taste of the rivalry. In what’s sure to be a hostile MetLife Stadium on Sunday, the poised rookie will look to make his mark in enemy territory. Good teams don’t let rookies (regardless of how talented they are) enter their building and dictate the game.

However, when kickoff approaches on Sunday afternoon, you can throw the stats out the window. These two teams have a long history of dislike for one another. The fans, really don’t care for their counterparts, probably more than the players.

After three straight seasons of divisional mediocrity, the Giants have a chance to make a statement in the NFC East.