New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles live on Sky Sports 1
Thursday 22 December 2016 23:55, UK
The New York Giants can clinch a play-off place with victory over the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night.
It was in 2011 that the Giants last qualified for the post-season, when they went on to win the second of quarterback Eli Manning's Super Bowl rings.
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The Giants (10-4) currently occupy the fifth seed, above the Green Bay Packers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (both 8-6). Odell Beckham Jr scored another one-handed grab, his tenth touchdown in as many games, to help New York beat the Detroit Lions 17-6 in week 15, but it is the defence which has elevated Ben McAdoo's team to the brink of play-off qualification.
After spending big on free agents Olivier Vernon, Damon Harrison and Janoris Jenkins, it took a few weeks for the unit to gel. However, since week seven the Giants have conceded the fewest points per game in the NFL, averaging just 14.9. Rookies have played their part, including Eli Apple and undrafted defensive end Romeo Okwara, who has deputised for the injured Jason Pierre-Paul.
Meanwhile the Eagles, who started out 3-0, have won only two of the last 11 games and were last week mathematically eliminated from the play-offs. Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz has struggled behind a depleted offensive line, but that unit should be back to full strength, following the return of Lane Johnson after a ten-game suspension.
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Turnovers have been a problem for the Eagles, and Wentz will have to avoid second year safety Landon Collins, whose five interceptions have landed him a Pro Bowl invitation.
Darren Sproles returns to boost Philadelphia's running game, and the Eagles can take heart from their recent record against New York. In the last two home games against New York, Philadelphia have outscored their division rival 54-7.
Sky Sports is your home of NFL this Christmas, with seven live games from week 16. Join Dara, Neil and Jeff for live coverage of a Christmas eve triple header, from 5:30pm on Sky Sports 1.
