The Giants are hoping last week’s debacle at home versus Dallas was just an aberration. They have already gained respect around the league for their strong start and need Manning (2,448 yards, 19 TD. 13 INT) to be on point against the Eagles. He threw for 373 yards — the second-highest total of the season — last week, but also recorded his fifth multi-interception game of 2010. Manning also completed 33 passes for the second-best total of his career and now has 13 lifetime 300-yard games, with the Giants going 7-6 over that span. In the last meeting with the Eagles, Manning passed for 391 yards and three scores with no turnovers for a 130.5 rating. Despite having injuries up front, New York did not allow a sack for the second consecutive week last Sunday. Diehl missed the first game in his eight-year career and had started 120 consecutive regular-season games, while O’Hara was out for the second week in a row and fifth time in 2010. Former Eagle Shawn Andrews will play at left tackle if his troublesome back allows, with Kevin Boothe at left guard and Rich Seubert at center. Wide receiver Mario Manningham (35 receptions, 4 TD) picked up the slack in Smith’s absence and had 10 catches for 91 yards and a score last Sunday. Fellow wideout Hakeem Nicks (56 receptions, 735 yards) is tied for the NFL lead with nine touchdown receptions.
“Unquestionably you wish you had your full complement of players and unquestionably not only do you wish you had your full complement of players, you wish they were out there for the full complement of practices. It’s not the ideal situation, but hopefully they’ll be ready to go and you just do the best you can under the circumstances,” said Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride. " It’s not the ideal, it’s not the way you’d draw it up."
Philadelphia probably thought it was going to be in a serious fight on Monday after it was announced that former Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb signed a contract extension with the Redskins prior to the game. Instead, the Eagles intercepted McNabb three times, while tackle Trevor Laws (9 tackles, 3 sacks) and end Juqua Parker (15 tackles, 5 sacks) each had a sack. Cornerback Dimitri Patterson, making his second straight start for an injured Ellis Hobbs, picked off a pass and returned it 40 yards for a score. Patterson (22 tackles, 3 INT) is tied for second on the team in interceptions, while Hobbs (16 tackles, 1 INT) is questionable for Sunday with an injured hip. Pro Bowl cornerback Asante Samuel (21 tackles, 5 INT) leads the team in picks and has an interception in two of the past three games against the G-Men. Rookie safety Nate Allen (34 tackles, 1 sack, 3 INT) did not play Monday because of a neck issue and is also listed as questionable for this week. The same goes for linebacker Ernie Sims (35 tackles, 2 sacks), who is nursing a balky ankle. Sack leader Trent Cole (43 tackles, 7 sacks) will be anxious to bring the heat on Manning.
(Sports Network contributed to this report)