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Eagle Scout: Offenses have put rivals atop division

How do you get to be 9-4 and atop the NFC East? Numbers like these certainly help. The Eagles and Giants rank second and seventh, respectively, in the NFL in points per game; first and fourth in total offense; fifth and fourth in rushing yardage. You get the point.

LeSean McCoy and Brandon Jacobs key the rushing games of the Eagles and Giants. (Staff and AP Photo)
LeSean McCoy and Brandon Jacobs key the rushing games of the Eagles and Giants. (Staff and AP Photo)Read more

How do you get to be 9-4 and atop the NFC East? Numbers like these certainly help.

The Eagles and Giants rank second and seventh, respectively, in the NFL in points per game; first and fourth in total offense; fifth and fourth in rushing yardage. You get the point.

On defense? The Giants are in the top five in every major yardage category, first in takeaways, tied for second in sacks, and ninth in points allowed. The Eagles' defensive numbers are modest - 19th in points allowed - but they're tied for second in takeaways and are 10th in sacks.

The bottom line: Both teams can score, both get after opposing quarterbacks, both want to win the division, and Sunday will go a long way to determining who does.

Here are the strengths and weaknesses that may make the difference:

Eagles' strengths

The Eagles have scored 26 points or more in six consecutive games, and they do it with variety. A different player has led the Eagles in receiving yards each of the last four weeks (Jeremy Maclin, Jason Avant, LeSean McCoy, and DeSean Jackson).

It's become redundant to say so, but Michael Vick continues to play as one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. He's third in passer rating, and his 63.6 completion percentage is 7.2 percentage points better than his previous career best, in 2004.

The defense has created at least one turnover in 12 out of 13 games this season; in 10 games they've had two or more takeaways. They lead the league in interceptions (22) and are tied for second in total takeaways (30). If Asante Samuel plays, the Eagles get back the NFL's individual interception leader, too. When these teams last met, the Eagles had five takeaways and limited the Giants' tough running attack to 61 yards.

David Akers, the NFC special-teams player of the month for November, has started December 5 for 5 on field goals, including a 50-yard kick last week against Dallas.

Eagles' weaknesses

The offense's major flaw has been obvious all season: pass protection. The Giants - with one of the best defensive fronts in the game - were the first team to batter Vick, and the Bears, Texans, and Cowboys followed their example.

The wear may be getting to Vick. He has committed five turnovers in the last four weeks after going his first six games of the season without giving up the ball.

The defense has allowed more than 100 yards rushing each of the last three weeks, a slip since the Giants game. If the Giants can pound the ball, they can slow down the Eagles' potent offense.

In the red zone, the defense has allowed touchdowns an alarming 77.8 percent of the time.

The Eagles haven't had a kickoff return of 30 yards or more since Nov. 7 against the Colts.

Giants' strengths

Even with wide receiver Steve Smith out for the season with a knee injury, the Giants have a bevy of weapons, with running backs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw and wide receivers Hakeem Nicks and Mario Manningham.

Jacobs and Bradshaw each ran for more than 100 yards last week. Nicks has had six or more catches four of the last five games in which he has played.

The offensive line, despite injuries, has allowed only 13 sacks.

The Giants' defensive front is deep. Defensive end Osi Umenyiora has 10 sacks and Justin Tuck has 81/2, including three against the Eagles. Rookie Jason Pierre-Paul had two in Week 12 and two in Week 13.

The linemen also excel at stripping the ball. Umenyiora has eight forced fumbles and Tuck has six. Umenyiora leads the league in that category and Tuck is tied for second. As a team, the Giants have a league-best 17 takeaways on fumble recoveries. They stripped Vick twice last time around, recovering one.

Giants weaknesses

Eli Manning has thrown a league-worst 19 interceptions and has lost five fumbles - including one against the Eagles that sealed the game as the Giants tried to drive for a tie.

Overall, the Giants have lost 14 fumbles, tied for second most in the NFL.

The Giants rank 31st in the NFL in yards allowed per punt return.