Wading through all the data and sifting through every conceivable matchup, one particular test awaiting the Giants will likely determine their success or failure Monday night in Philadelphia.
Can they withstand the heat?
This has nothing to do with temperature at Veterans Stadium and everything to do with the temperament of the Giants’ offensive line.
Many factors will come into play, but none more so than how effectively or ineptly the Giants are able to deal with the creative and relentless blitz packages designed by Jim Johnson, the Eagles’ defensive coordinator.
“Your guys have to be ready for anything,” offensive line coach Jim McNally said. “Obviously, their blitzes are tough. You might have a run on and you run right into the teeth of a blitz, or you might have a pass on and you don’t have enough people to pick ’em up. They do more than most defenses.”
The Eagles come with linemen and linebackers and safeties, early and often and effectively enough to amass 22 sacks in six games, tied for second-best in the league. There is immense confidence in the ability of cornerbacks Troy Vincent and Bobby Taylor to lock up receivers, which frees up Johnson to send extra bodies crashing in to devastate a passing pocket or send a running back spiraling backward.
Kerry Collins, beware.
“You always got to be on the watch-out for their blitzes,” Collins said. “It’s a matter of having your eye on the safeties and the corners, because they can come at any down or distance.”
Defensive tackle Darwin Walker leads the charge with 4½ sacks, followed closely by end Hugh Douglas with four. Nine other Eagles have at least one sack.
Is the Giants’ offensive line, which will again have Dusty Zeigler at right guard in place of Jason Whittle, sturdy enough to withstand the onslaught? The group has mostly held up in pass protection but has not been as effective as run-blockers. Figuring out where the Eagles are attacking from will be as important as putting bodies between Collins and harm’s way.
“Yes, physically it’s going to be challenging, but more mentally than anything,” said tight end Dan Campbell, a de facto lineman. “Because these guys, especially [on] third down, they bring the house, and if you’re not thinking and you’re not in tune with what they’re doing it could be a long afternoon.”