WHAT TO WATCH
BARKLEY-EAGLES
After struggling with an ankle injury most of the season, Giants running back Saquon Barkley is back. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 draft has two straight 100-yard games, including a career-best 189 yards rushing last week. He finished with a franchise-record 279 yards from scrimmage. The Eagles have the No. 3 ranked run defense (88 yards average). They limited Barkley to 66 yards on 17 carries on Dec. 9. Last season, Barkley ran for 100 yards in both games against the Eagles and had touchdown runs of 50 and 51 yards.
CORNERBACK SHUFFLE
Rasul Douglas is expected to start for Ronald Darby, who was placed on injured reserve with a hip injury. Darby will miss his 21st game in three seasons with the Eagles. He was beaten by Darius Slayton on a pair of touchdowns on Dec. 9. Douglas gets the nod over Sidney Jones, and Avonte Maddox remains in the nickel spot. “He’s the one that had the most reps and time there,” Pederson said. “We know Sidney has filled in well; obviously Avonte Maddox is another one that we could possibly work in that rotation. “SOMETHING NEW
The Eagles are going to see something new: Rookie Daniel Jones is starting at quarterback for New York. Eli Manning had been the Giants’ only starter against them since the teams’ second meeting of 2004. Jones missed the 23-17overtime loss earlier this month with a sprained ankle. Jones is coming off his best game. He completed 28 of 42 throws for 352 yards, five TDs and no interceptions in the 41-35 win over the Redskins.
RUNNING BACK ROTATION
Jordan Howard appears ready to return from a shoulder injury that has forced him to miss the last six games. Howard was the Eagles’ leading rusher before getting hurt. He has 525yards rushing, a 4.4average per carry and six TDs. Rookie Miles Sanders has emerged during Howard’s absence and should continue to get a bulk of the workload with former practice squad player Boston Scott. “Miles has made a tremendous impact certainty over the last month, six weeks,” offensive coordinator Mike Groh said. “Boston has done a great job and taken advantage of his opportunity. Whenever it is that Jordan is deemed ready to come back, we know we will be able to work him back in.We feel good about all those guys, so we are prepared to use whoever is available. “
FINAL APPEARANCE
This very likely will be Manning’s final game for the Giants. The two-time Super Bowl MVP is finishing his 16th season with the team and his contract is expiring. With Jones now starting, it is unlikely the 38-year-old will be given a new deal. Manning has not discussed his future plans. So how will the home crowd react to the man who was the face of the franchise since 2004?