Giants at Eagles, first look: Can Giants be relevant in NFC East?

The New York Giants face the Philadelphia Eagles in an NFC East match-up at Lincoln Financial Field Sunday. Can the Giants (1-6) win the game and put themselves in a position where they could be a factor in the division down the stretch? Let's take an early look ahead to Sunday.

Odds

The 1-6 Giants open the week as six-point underdogs to the 3-4 Eagles.

What's At Stake

For the Giants only absolutely any chance they have to be relevant in the under-whelming NFC East this season. The Dallas Cowboys lead the division at 4-3. A victory and, at worst, the Giants hit the halfway point of the season three games back in the division. The Washington Redskins came from three games back after nine games to win the division a season ago, so it can be done. A loss and the Giants need to simply begin playing for 2014 -- if they aren't really doing that already.

What Happened Last Time

The Eagles came in to MetLife Stadium in Week 5 and walked out with a disheartening 36-21 victory. Michael Vick left that game shortly before halftime, but Nick Foles came on to complete 16-of-25 passes for the Eagles, two for touchdowns. The Giants actually led that game, 21-19, late in the third quarter, but Eli Manning threw interceptions on three straight fourth-quarter possessions.

Key Injuries

For the Giants, running back Brandon Jacobs missed Monday's game against the Minnesota Vikings with a hamstring injury. That left the Giants with newly-acquired Peyton Hillis and rookie Michael Cox at running back. It worked out fine, but you know the Giants would love to have Jacobs back this week. Whether they will or not remains to be seen.

For the Eagles, Vick is supposed to return Sunday. That is a good thing for them since Foles suffered a concussion Sunday against the Dallas Cowboys.