Crunch time in the NFC East as Eagles and Giants collide

In a few minutes time, the Eagles will get the chance to prove their credentials as they host the reigning champions and currently top team in the NFC, the 7-1 Giants.

The Eagles (5-3) come into tonight on the back of three straight wins against the 49ers, Falcons and Seahawks respectively, but this game is a completely different prospect with so much at stake.

As the second half of the season gets underway, the entire playoff picture in the NFC could be shaped tonight.

If the Eagles win, it means that what many call the toughest division in football is back up for grabs, with Philly showing they could not only make the playoffs, but go all the way to Tampa for Superbowl XLIII.

If the Giants win, they will establish themselves as firm favourites to clinch the NFC East, be the no.1 seed in the conference and ultimately, have the chance to defend their title in February.

For the first time in a long time, the Eagles head into a game almost fully healthy, with only long term casualty Shawn Andrews certain to miss out.

Cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Joselio Hanson are both listed as questionable, but both participated fully in Friday's practice and should be good to go.

Offensively Philly will have all their weapons ready to go, with everyone needing to do their bit, against against the second best defence in the NFL.

There are four key areas for the Eagles tonight if they are to leave Lincoln Financial field with the win.

Offensively, the line have got to protect Donovan McNabb from a defense that leads the NFC with 30 sacks so far this season.

The Giants won the Superbowl on the back of sacks and the general pressure they exerted on opposition quarterbacks, in particular from pressure up the middle.

Guard Max Jean-Gilles has played well in the absence of Andrews, but tonight he will have the kitchen sink thrown at him by New York's defensive line.

Giants defensive co-ordinator Steve Spagnuolo loves to move his lineman around to create match ups, and with such a talented group of athletes (Justin Tuck, Fred Robbins, Barry Cofield and Mathias Kiwanuka) this isn't difficult.

Certainly the loss of Osi Umenyiora and Michael Strahan has not affected the Giants ability to get in the faces of quarterbacks and get them on the turf.

If the Eagles offensive line can keep McNabb relatively clean, he has the ability to beat the rest of this New York defense, especially with key injuries to strong safety James Butler, linebacker Gerris Wilkinson and cornerback Kevin Dockery.

Part of keeping McNabb upright is being able to establish the run.

Against Atlanta, Brian Westbrook managed a career high in rushing yards and last week, though unspectacular, he kept the Seahawks defense honest, allowing McNabb to rack up over 300 yards through the air.

It is essential that Philly do the same tonight, otherwise it could be a long and painful night for McNabb.

The second key to Eagles success tonight is converting their opportunities.

Last week against Seattle, the Eagles moved the ball at will until they got to the red zone, having to settle for four field goals in a second half where they could and should have blown their hosts away.

They cannot afford to be so wasteful tonight in a game that could well be very very tight, and they must find a way to punch the ball in on short yardage downs.

Defensively, the Eagles have got to get pressure on Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

Despite handily beating the cowboys last Sunday, Manning was made to look fallible as he was put under pressure all night long, being sacked four times, losing two fumbles, being picked off for a touchdown and throwing for a season low 147 yards.

The Eagles will have to do the same in this game and they have the ability, having collected 27 sacks of their own through the first eight games.

Pressure will lead to takeaways and these could be essential, in a game where the turnover battle could be the decisive factor.

It will also mean that Manning will struggle to find star receiver Plaxico Burress, a man who has been the bane of Philly for many years.

The final area that Andy Reid and his team must look at is stopping the Giants ground game and in particular, Brandon Jacobs.

New York lead the NFL with an average of over 160 rushing yards per game, most of which is down to Jacobs, but their 1-2-3 punch of Jacobs, Ward and Bradshaw is undoubtedly the best in the league, reminiscent of the Eagles Westbrook, Staley and Buckhalter combo of years past.

The Eagles defense has, for the most part, been stingy against the rush this season, only allowing more than 90 yards on two occasions.

Stopping the run tonight is vital for Philly's chances, which will mean tackling low and hard on a guy who is the right weight for a defensive end.

Shut down Jacobs and this will force Manning to try and carry the team, which will give the Eagles their best chance of knocking off the defending champs.

Should the Eagles lose, they will drop to 5-4 and more importantly, 0-3 in the division, which will majorly dent their playoff hopes in such a competitive division.

Win however, and they will send out a statement to the rest of the league, and show the world that this group is capable of bringing Philadelphia their first ever Vince Lombardi trophy.