Eagles try to keep playoff hopes alive against Giants on MNF

On Monday night we have a game between a team in the hunt for the No. 1 overall draft pick and a team desperately trying to get to the top of the NFC East heap. You wouldn’t think the latter task would be that difficult, given how bad the Cowboys, Redskins and Giants have been, but we all saw the Eagles get owned by the Dolphins last week. This division is an utter mess, yet one of these franchises will be stumbling and bumbling its way into the playoffs.

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN

Philly has the advantage on offense

On offense I’ll grant the edge to Philadelphia. Quarterback Carson Wentz has definitely taken a step back from his peak performances two years ago, but I would still prefer him over Daniel Jones (who is out with a high ankle sprain) and Eli Manning. Unlike his defense Wentz played pretty well against Miami.

Running back Jordan Howard is questionable for Monday, but his complement, Miles Sanders, has had a terrific rookie season. Both of these receiving corps are sub-par by NFL standards. Neither offensive line has been great, but the Eagles’ group is superior, both in run blocking and in pass protection. The right side of the line, in particular, is fantastic. Brandon Brooks and Lane Johnson are arguably the best guard/tackle tandem in the NFL.

The Eagles have the better defensive line, as well. Brandon Graham and Fletcher Cox pack quite a 1-2 punch (11 sacks, 20 1/2 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered, two pass breakups). To his credit rookie Dexter Lawrence is clogging things up in the middle nicely for New York. Neither linebacker group inspires fear in an offensive coordinator, but I give the Giants the edge with Markus Golden’s presence in the opposing backfield (7 1/2 sacks, 13 1/2 tackles for loss) and David Mayo playing sound in the second level.

Wentz should be able to pick apart New York's pass defense

New York has one of the worst pass defenses in the entire league. Not helping in that regard is that safety Jabrill Peppers is banged up with a hip injury. Help could be on the way in the form of rookie Julian Love. In 104 snaps over the last two weeks, Love has 10 tackles, an interception and a forced fumble. That’s a promising start.

The Eagles pass defense has been a sieve, as well. Besides getting torched by Ryan Fitzpatrick and Devante Parker last week, they’ve only collected 10 interceptions this season. The Eagles are also one of only four defenses not to record a touchdown this year.

The special teams battle in this game should be almost negligible. Neither is that good or bad of a side, and both are unlikely to dramatically shift the game’s outcome.

Dallas has left the door open for Philadelphia

I might have been on the other side if Dallas had won at Chicago on Thursday night. But the Cowboys have left the NFC East keys in the ignition with the doors unlocked and the engine running. I was really down on Philadelphia after its total egg against Miami, but now the Eagles have been granted a chance to rectify things and make amends. The Eagles are better in the trenches, starting the better QB, playing at home, have more to play for, are less banged up, etc. A big win here gets them right back on track to play for a playoff spot December 22 at home against the Cowboys.

Pick: Eagles -10

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