Game On!

After defeating the Washington Redskins in Week One and dismantling the Dallas Cowboys in Week Nine, the New York Giants will look to complete the NFC East trifecta this Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Although Philly is still hovering around the bottom of the division, the long-time rivalry will be more than enough to motivate both teams to come out firing. Mix in the angry, obscene and insane Philadelphia fans, and the atmosphere should be thick enough to cut with a knife.

1) GIANTS ON OFFENSE

It should come as no surprise that the Eagles, despite their record, have a well-rounded defense. They perform well against both the run and pass, and are able to put pressure on quarterbacks with their wide array of blitz packages.

For that very reason, New York's main offensive focus should not be on the passing or running game so much as it should be on discipline and protection.

If the Giants can avoid costly penalties, keep Eli Manning on his feet and continue to run block as effectively as they have, nothing Philadelphia can throw at them will be more than they're capable of handling. And by the time the fourth quarter rolls around, the Eagles should be on their heels, reeling from another productive offensive attack.

So long as the Giants stick to the basics and don't get out of their element, their passing game and running game will find a rhythm.

2) GIANTS ON DEFENSE

Stop Brian Westbrook. Period.

Taking nothing away from Donovan McNabb, who is as talented as they come, but the Eagles offense is run around Westbrook. If he's productive, they're successful. And if he struggles, they struggle.

Luckily for the Giants, both the Redskins and Cowboys have already laid out the perfect gameplan to contain Westbrook. In Week Two against Dallas, "America's Team" was able to hold Westbrook to 58 yards on the ground and a 3.2 yards per carry average. Meanwhile, in Week Five against Washington, the Redskins held him to 33 yards rushing and a 2.8 yards per carry average.

In both cases, the Eagles ended up on the wrong side of the score.

This isn't to say the Giants will mimic both of those games because defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is an innovator, not a follower. However, you can bet that he'lltake some of what he's learned while watching those films and incorporate it into Sunday's gameplan.

Once New York feels they've got Westbrook in a bottle, it will be time to open up. And as they've done countless times in the past, Big Blue's defensive line will tee-off on McNabb.

3) GIANTS ON SPECIAL TEAMS

Outside of one blocked field goal, John Carney has been perfect this season. Unfortunately, his kickoffs have begun to detract from his accuracy. Over the past two weeks, the average length of his kickoffs has progressively gotten worse, while the opposition'sstarting field position has progressively gotten better.

Will this finally be the week we see Lawrence Tynes? And if so, will the Giants be able to tolerate a shakier field goal kicker for a more solid kickoff specialist? Or will the placement of David Tyree on IR allow New York to carry both kickers?

Bottom line: The Giants kicking situation is as confusing as it's been for weeks.

MORE:

• Giants Top NFC East
• Criticism of Eli Never Ends
• Big Blue Victims of Poor Officiating