(Sports Network) – One week after accounting for six touchdowns in a win at Washington on a Monday night in mid-November, ichael Vick (2,513 passing yards, 17 TD, 4 INT) passed for 258 yards and rushed for 34 more and a score in a victory versus the Giants at Lincoln Financial Field on Nov. 21. After not throwing an interception for seven straight games, he has been intercepted in the last three, including twice in Sunday’s win in Dallas. Vick is second on the team in rushing yards, gaining 483 on 82 carries with seven rushing scores, but his explosiveness was harnessed somewhat by New York’s disciplined defense in the teams’ earlier meeting.
Since he sometimes gets anxious in the pocket, Vick tends to bounce around before opening his body for a shot by the defense. He has been sacked 10 times in the last four games, but may get starting tackle Winston Justice back in the lineup Sunday. Justice has been bothered by a knee injury suffered in a win over Houston a few weeks back and was replaced by King Dunlap for the Dallas game. He is listed as questionable for this weekend. While Jackson (42 receptions, 972 yards, 6 TD) and Jeremy Maclin (57 receptions, 831 yards, 8 TD) take care of business by catching passes, running back LeSean McCoy (972 rushing yards, 7 TD) has arguably been the team’s offensive MVP. McCoy leads all NFL backs with 70 catches and ran for a career-high 149 yards at the Cowboys.
New York has one of the best defenses in the NFL and knows it will be put to the test again when the Eagles invade the Meadowlands. While the Eagles are first in the NFL in yards accumulated, the Giants are rated No. 2 in both yards allowed and passing yards. Expect to see Vick establish a timely rhythm with his receivers early, especially with Jackson. Terrell Thomas (77 tackles, 1 sack) leads the Giants with five interceptions, while Corey Webster (45 tackles) and safety Deon Grant (58 tackles, sack) are tied with three apiece.
New York had three passes defensed but no picks in the first encounter with Vick, who was sacked three times — all by defensive end Justin Tuck (60 tackles), who has nine sacks on the season and plays with a mean streak. The vocal leader of the defense is second on the team in sacks behind end Osi Umenyiora (40 tackles), who has taken down quarterbacks behind the line of scrimmage 10 times in 2010 and is probably hoping Justice returns for the Eagles this week. Umenyiora abused the Philadelphia lineman a few years ago at Giants Stadium to the tune of four sacks, but complimented Justice for being a good player postgame. The Eagles haven’t been using tight end Brent Celek as much, but the New York linebackers still have to be aware of what Andy Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg will scheme for.