There has been much talk this week about how the 6-3 New York Giants can virtually end the playoff hopes of the disappointing 3-6 Philadelphia Eagles when the teams meet in the Sunday Night Football matchup tonight (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC). The Giants, though, need a victory Sunday night for more than just the satisfaction of burying the rival Eagles.
The Giants are one game ahead of the 5-4 Dallas Cowboys in the NFC East, with a brutal final six games after today -- including two meetings with the Cowboys. They need a victory to maintain the advantage they currently have as the playoff races begin to crystallize.
That [winning the divsion] is our goal, obviously, first. That's the easiest and quickest way to get into the playoffs. Everybody wants to play for that second season so this game is very important," Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said. "It's a divisional game, a rivalry of ours and a game we definitely need in order to continue to keep the lead and how we are in this division race. You know it's going to be a tough game. Everyone is talking about the records, but you can throw it all out the window when it comes down to these two teams. It's going to be a hard fought game and hopefully we come out with a victory."
The Giants will probably be without veteran linebacker Michael Boley (hamstring). The Eagles have already announced they will be without starting quarterback Michael Vick and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin.
"We want to keep winning," said Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks. "We want to make sure we're doing everything to stay afloat with our self and our own team goals and everything else will take care of itself."
The Giants opened the week and 3.5-point favorites. They are now 5.5-point favorites. See all the odds on today's NFL games at SB Nation's NFL Odds page powered by Odds Shark.
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