1 Can the Giants stop Michael Vick?
The reconstruction of Vick’s game this season has been nothing short of remarkable. Long known to just be a freelancing, sandlot-type of athlete at the quarterback position, Vick has finally evolved into a bona fide passer. The top-rated passer in the NFL, Vick (1,350 yards, 62.7 completion percentage and 11 TDs) has yet to commit a turnover. How well bookend pass rushers Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck corral Vick will go a long way in deciding the outcome of this winner-takes-first-place matchup.
2 How well will the banged-up O-line play?
Left tackle David Diehl and center Shaun O’Hara are likely out for this game, while former Eagle Shaun Andrews may be questionable with a bad back. Things are so bad that even O’Hara’s backup, Adam Koets is out for the year.
The unit didn’t allow a sack to Dallas last week — Eli Manning’s turnovers had more to do with poor decisions than poor blocking — but the Eagles present a larger variety of manic blitzes.
3 Who will Eli throw to this time?
Steve Smith is out until December with a pectoral injury. Ramses Barden is out for the season with a broken ankle and ligament damage. And Victor Cruz was put on injured reserve.
Undrafted rookie Duke Calhoun and veteran Derek Hagan, who was cut during camp but brought back this week due to the injuries, will figure prominently in the three- and four-wide receiver sets. More picks are in Manning’s future if he simply locks onto Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham.
Key matchups
Giants’ running game vs. Eagles’ front
The scoop: The best rushing duo in the league failed to crack 100 yards vs. the Cowboys. The Eagles will load the box, daring Manning to beat them with his third and fourth receivers.
Edge: Eagles
Giants’ defense vs. Michael Vick
The scoop: The Giants can’t afford to spy on Vick with a linebacker or safety because it eliminates an extra man in coverage — and the defense will need all the men it can use to defend DeSean Jackson & Co.
Edge: Eagles
