Special Teams Play Will Be Key for New York Giants Against Philadelphia Eagles
When the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles take the field Sunday night, you know it will be a tough, hard-fought game. The two rivals dislike each other and the winner will be closer to the driver seat in the NFC East. While people are paying attention to the trash talking and offense that could make this a high-scoring affair, the key to this game is something people easily pass over: special teams.
The struggles of the Giants’ special teams have been well documented. They have struggled on coverage teams, giving up the fourth-most yards per punt return on the season at 14.0. The Giants have suffered momentum-changing plays against them on special teams as well, having two fumbles on kick returns and allowing one punt return for a touchdown in Week 2 to the Arizona Cardinals’ Ted Ginn.
It is an area of concern for the Giants coming into the matchup with the Eagles, as the Eagles have been the most opportunistic team in the NFL on special teams in 2014. They have already registered a kick and punt return for a touchdown this season, averaging 30.9 and 15.9 per return, respectively; both are top three stats in the league. In total, the Eagles’ special teams have four touchdowns in five games, making that unit, not their explosive offense led by Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy, the driving force in their success thus far.
For the Giants to limit the impact the Eagles will have on the special teams, they will have to stick to their principles to contain the explosive Darren Sproles and any other return men the Eagles use. They need to maintain the focus, intensity and concentration they have shown during their three-game winning streak to make sure the Eagles’ special teams do not make it five or more touchdowns in six games.
The Giants’ coaching staff has been successful this season in getting the most out of its players and covering up for deficiencies they may have. Throughout the games in the season, they have emphasized different areas of concern, and thus far the Giants have stepped up and responded. Can they do it once again with the point of emphasis from Tom Coughlin and the coaching staff this week undoubtedly being on special teams?
In what is sure to be a close game, the Giants cannot afford to give away free points on special teams. It is a necessity that they perform well on special teams this week and not let the Eagles build any momentum there and get the crowd into the game. The less of a factor the Giants can make special teams in this game, the easier it will be for them to pull off the victory.
Kenneth Teape is a New York Giants writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @teapester725 or join his Google network.
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