The Week 17 matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants was supposed to have playoff implications and crown an NFC East division champion, but will now be a bitter end to the 2015 season. The Eagles' loss to Washington last Sunday ensured a Kirk Cousins-led team a spot in the postseason, and Chip Kelly was soon fired by Philadelphia.
Eagles vs. Giants 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online
Both teams are ready to start their offseason rebuild.
The Eagles were on a roll. They had beaten the New England Patriots and the Buffalo Bills, and despite an embarrassing loss to the Arizona Cardinals, they still had a chance to make it to the playoffs with a win over Washington. That win never came, and the team was forced to accept the disappointment that was the 2015 season. With only one game left, the offseason is looking to include several big shakeups, including hiring a new head coach.
One position the team will focus on in the offseason is at the line on both sides of the ball. Veteran Jason Peters struggled all game against Washington, falling in pass protection and allowing two sacks, and then sidelined himself reportedly saying, “I’m not going to get hurt for this.”
Pass protection is only one issue for the offensive line. Creating running routes has been a problem all season. The seemingly stacked running back position -- consisting of DeMarco Murray, Ryan Mathews and Darren Sproles -- has done little to earn any success on the ground. The team signed former Eagle Kevin Monangai to the roster on Monday to try to add any kind of spark it can get.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning was out of sorts against the Vikings, completing only 15 of 29 passes for 234 yards and a touchdown. The offensive line did little to help the passer, who also threw two interceptions, but was sacked four times for a 30-yard loss. Without star receiver Odell Beckham Jr., he relied on Rueben Randle -- who made one play for a 72-yard touchdown -- and Myles White -- who had more success with Ryan Nassib under center.
The Giants get back their deep threat following Beckham's one-game suspension for fighting all game long with Panthers CB Josh Norman, which culminated in a direct head shot in the third quarter that earned the stark discipline. His presence was missed last Sunday in the team's 49-17 loss to the Vikings, a game which left head coach Tom Coughlin speechless.
This could be the last game with the Giants for Coughlin, who has been rumored to be out following the 2015 season. Now that the team is missing the postseason, this could seal his fate. Whether he’ll be let go or choose to retire, his time in New York is seemingly limited.
Despite both teams now out of playoff contention, the loser of Sunday's game will win a round-trip ticket to London in 2016. The NFL announced three games overseas next season, with one game's matchup still to be determined. This will be the first "loser goes to London" game to face the Rams in Week 7.
How to Watch
When: 1 p.m. ET
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, N.J.
TV: FOX
Announcers: Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston, Laura Okmin
Online: NFL GamePass
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