Game On!

Each week, we hear all about the New York Giants from the New York Giants' point of view. And while East Coast bias is all the rage, there are other cities and other fans outside of the Metropolitan area that have thoughts on the defending Super Bowl Champions.

This week, I chatted with "Iggles Blog" contributor Derek Sarley.

Benton: "Last week, I asked this very question to a Cowboys fan and I just feel the need to do it again. It may not have anything to do with this season, but how difficult was it to watch the New York Giants win Super Bowl XLII?"

Sarley: "Um, not? The common enemy last year was New England. You did us all a favor. Any other opponent, though, and yes, it would have sucked."

Benton: "Looking ahead to Sunday, what sort of game do you expect in Philly? Will it be a typical Giants/Eagles slug-fest or an unexpected blowout?"

Sarley: "That's pretty funny. I was just writing up my prediction somewhere else and realized I think there's actually a chance the Eagles could blow this thing out.

The most likely scenario is, of course, the usual slugfest. These teams just know each other too well. Every tendency, all the go-to plays, both sides know what's coming, which makes it tough to get any kind of offensive rhythm going.

With that said, I think there's a chance – a chance – the Eagles come out throwing the kitchen sink at the Giants offensively. Kind of like what the team did in its first drive against Washington (about which Carlos Rogers said after the game, "We'd never seen those plays they came out with ... I'm serious. Those were great plays."), except continued throughout the game.

We all know the Eagles' offense runs through Brian Westbrook and we all know the Giants defense will be completely keyed on making sure he doesn't get going. The difference is that with DeSean Jackson, the Eagles may finally have enough weapons across the field to burn the Giants if they commit too many resources to Westbrook.

I'm not saying it's the most likely scenario, but I do think there's a chance."

Benton: "Do you think the Eagles offensive line will do a better job protecting Donovan McNabb without Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora in the picture, or will Mathias Kiwanuka and Justin Tuck make life equally as miserablefor him?

Sarley: "As good as the new guys are, I'll take my chances with the old guys being out.

Much as the teams as a whole know each other too well, your bookend pass rushers and our two tackles were in the same situation. I'm guessing Thomas and Runyan are thrilled they get to play against guys who don't know their every strength and weakness by now.

Also, Winston Justice will be at the game, and even just seeing Osi on the field might have been enough to flare up his PTSD again."

Benton: "In what area, if any, do you think Philadelphia can expose New York?

Sarley: "I don't know about exposing anybody, but as mentioned above, I think the Eagles may finally have the personnel necessary to a) back off the Giants' pass rush and b) open up some room for Westbrook to do his thing.

Switching sides for a minute, if I'm the Giants I'm going after the middle of the field all day with Steve Smith. The run threat should be enough to keep the Eagles out of nickel much of the day, and our base defense has had a fair number of issues with coverage inside.

Also, if I were Eli Manning, I would probably close my eyes and heave a couple of dead ducks towards Plaxico Burress when the pressure's on. That always seems to work well against Philly."

Benton: "Prediction time! How many points will the Giants win by this Sunday?"

Sarley: "In a truly mind-boggling turn of events, Vegas has the Eagles favored by three. I find that baffling, but what do I know. Call it the Eagles by two, just to screw with the guys in the desert."

If you would like to read more of Sarley's Philadelphia Eagles coverage, head on over to "Iggles Blog" and enjoy.

MORE:

• Working Big Blue
• Week 10 Preview
• NFC East Breakdown