An inside look at Sunday’s Giants-Eagles NFL Week 7 matchup at MetLife Stadium:
Marquee matchup
Eagles RT Lane Johnson vs. Giants DE Brian Burns
Johnson, 34, was the No. 4-overall pick in the 2013 draft, and all he has done is provide fantastic performances for 12 years.
He is a five-time Pro Bowler and, most likely, a future Hall of Famer.
Burns is playing at a high level despite dealing with a groin injury that he is managing, but he is hurting.
This is a heavyweight battle.
“I mean, the man kind of got everything,’’ Burns said. “Size, athleticism, strength. He’s also been in the game for a while, so he knows the tricks of the trade. He knows how fast the ball is coming out, the quarterback’s depth. Smart player. I haven’t had a chance to go against him a lot in my career, but watching him on film, he’s up there.’’
Paul’s pick
History says the Giants lose in this spot.
Call this a hunch — a guess based on intuition but no facts — but perhaps the time is right for an upset in this series.
The return of Malik Nabers is big.
The return of Saquon Barkley to his old stomping ground is a huge deal.
It is tough to determine which side is buoyed by the emotional push and pull. The home team can’t lose ’em all at home, right?
Giants 24, Eagles 20
Four downs
Dealing with 26: The Giants’ run defense through six games is nothing more than decent — ranked 16th in the league in rushing yards allowed per game.
That stat is misleading, as their 5.2-yard per rush allowed average is the second-highest.
Barkley will be amped up for this game, and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen must decide if he is going to stack the box with an extra run defender — something he is usually adverse to doing — or play it straight.
Nose tackle Dexter Lawrence invited Barkley to his wedding but warned when they are on the field, it is “war.’’
Emotions will be running high, for sure.
New kid on the block: There are so many firsts for rookies.
This is another one for Malik Nabers, who makes his debut in this Jersey Turnpike rivalry.
It will be interesting to see if he can pick up where he left off and run routes aggressively after a debilitating concussion.
The Eagles have a stud rookie cornerback, Quinyon Mitchell, and veteran Darius Slay, who is listed as questionable to play with a knee issue.
“Very, very, very, very talented,’’ Slay said of Nabers. “Guy that can really get after it, play ball fast. He makes contested catches and runs great routes. A tradition of the LSU receiver being great at what they do, man. He’s really good after the catch. He’s got a bright future as a rookie.’’
Making a point: It is really getting ridiculous, how inept and feeble the offense is when the Giants play at home — where they are 0-3 this season.
One touchdown in 12 quarters? That is pathetic.
A supportive crowd is supposed to energize a team, but for this team, the paying customers seem to intimidate the players who make their living with the ball. Jones has been really bad in two of the three home games.
“We’re always trying to score touchdowns, whether we’re home or away,’’ Jones said. “And we’d love to do it at home and give the fans something to cheer about.’’
Watch the legs: Scrambles by opposing quarterbacks have been bothersome to the Giants.
In the past two games, Seattle’s Geno Smith, not a noted runner, picked up 72 yards on four runs, and Bengals QB Joe Burrow, not a noted runner, raced untouched for a 47-yard touchdown.
Next up: Jalen Hurts, who is a noted runner.
Hurts has taken off with the ball 56 times and gained 196 yards.
He can be extremely dangerous on unscripted runs, and the Giants defenders have been guilty of turning their backs on the action in the pocket.
