New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, Sept. 25, 2011. A 1 p.m. ET start at Lincoln Financial Field. This is a date that has been circled on the calendars and etched into the minds of Giants players, fans and probably everyone connected with the team since the NFL released the 2011 schedule.
It is the Giants' first chance for retribution after last season's embarrassing collapse against Philadelphia, a game in which the Giants held a 21-point fourth-quarter lead and lost on a final play punt return for a touchdown by DeSean Jackson. It was a loss Giants defensive captain Justin Tuck said would "linger with me until I die."
Giants' fans likely feel the same way. The Eagles, in fact, have now defeated the Giants six consecutive times.
From the start, for the Giants this season has been about finding a way to defeat the Eagles.
For Philadelphia, the primary question this week will be the health of Michael Vick. The quarterback suffered a concussion Sunday in a loss to Atlanta, but it sounds like the Eagles quarterback has a chance to play this weekend against the Giants.
The Giants might get defensive end Osi Umenyiora back this weekend as well. Head coach Tom Coughlin said he thinks Umenyiora, who has not played yet this season after preseason knee surgery, could practice on Thursday.