Giants vs. Eagles: Week 17 staff picks and predictions

The Giants Wire staff offers their picks and predictions ahead of a Week 17 game between the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles.

The New York Giants (4-11) will take on the Philadelphia Eagles (8-7) at MetLife Stadium in a game where they could play spoiler and cost Philly the division title.

Experts are leaning heavily toward the Eagles this week — 7:3 — with most of those expecting a one-score contest that comes down to the wire.

How does the Giants Wire staff see this Week 17 battle shaking out? Here’s a look at our picks and score predictions:

Dan Benton: Eagles 34, Giants 20

The Giants have been awful this season and have nothing to play for, whereas the Eagles will clinch the NFC East with a victory. That’s the difference in this game that will really matter.

*Above prediction was also printed in USA TODAY Sports Weekly alongside a full game preview. Print editions are available every Wednesday at newsstands everywhere.

John Fennelly: Giants 24, Eagles 23

Yes, I’m picking the Giants to win! Philadelphia has way too many injuries to even mount an offense at the moment, especially now with Zack Ertz hurting. The Giants’ offense is cooking and Philly will have to deal with a healthy Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones now instead of the stationary Eli Manning. The Giants should have won three weeks ago, but couldn’t hold on. This time, I think they will. With the coaches’ jobs on the line, Big Blue will rise to the occasion and lift the Dallas Cowboys into the NFC Playoffs.

Doug Rush: Eagles 32, Giants 24

The Giants are trying to close out the season on a high note and a possible three-game winning streak, but they have a tough task at hand in the Philadelphia Eagles.

Four weeks ago, the Giants almost left Lincoln Financial Stadium with a win, but the Eagles squeaked out an overtime win.

The Giants had Eli Manning under center for that one. This time, it’s Daniel Jones who gets the first crack against Philly — a week removed from a five-touchdown performance.

The Eagles are playing for the NFC East title and are trying to make it back to the playoffs for the third straight season. The Eagles are also looking for their seventh straight win over the Giants dating back to the 2016 season.

With the Eagles playing for a postseason spot and the Giants looking at the NFL Draft order, the Eagles likely walk out of MetLife Stadium as the NFC East Champions.

Tyler Henry: Eagles 31, Giants 21

The Giants come in riding back-to-back wins with a little momentum to end the season. They will hope to end their six-game losing streak against the Eagles as they play spoiler at home this Sunday. It would be pretty sweet to see the Giants knock the Eagles out of the playoffs and get Daniel Jones his first win against the division rival Eagles. Unfortunately, with the roll the Eagles are on I can’t see the Giants winning this one. They were close a few weeks back but fell short in overtime. I think if the Giants are going to win this game, they have to get a lot of pressure on Carson Wentz. The Eagles have a lot more to play for and I see them coming into MetLife getting the win. I think it will be a close game where the Eagles pull away on a late touchdown.

Pat Ragazzo: Eagles 27, Giants 21

The Giants are coming off two impressive wins against the lowly Dolphins and Redskins. Their offense has scored a total of 77 points combined in the last two weeks, while Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley had career days last Sunday. All positive signs for the future, but I don’t believe the Eagles lose this game as they are also on a roll. The Giants defense is too weak, and the Eagles are in a must win game to capture the division crown. Carson Wentz has proved to be clutch in the past month and has elevated the players around him. I believe he comes out victorious in a do-or-die game for Philadelphia

Kevin Hickey: N/A

N/A

Mike Moraitis: Eagles 23, Giants 20

The Giants will finish off yet another disappointing season with a home game against the Eagles. While the Giants have nothing to play for, the Eagles are trying to secure their spot atop the NFC Least in order to make the playoffs. An Eagles win or a Cowboys loss would make that happen.

Despite this lost season, the Giants are still playing hard for their embattled head coach, who could be on his way out after 2019. While I expect Big Blue to put up a fight in this one, a motivated Eagles team is not going to be denied a playoff berth.

A struggling Giants secondary is just what the doctor ordered for an injury-riddled Eagles receiving corps., and the return of Jordan Howard comes just in time for this game and will help Philly return to a two-headed rushing attack that can take pressure off Carson Wentz.

Serena Burks: Eagles 28, Giants 21

Daniel Jones may have put up 41 points on the Redskins last week, but the Eagles are a far cry from Washington. Jones hasn’t faced the Eagles yet, a team which has the third-best run defense in the league. The Eagles held Saquon to 66 yards in their last meeting, so the offense is going to run through Jones.

Still, this game is more about coaching than the players on the field. Pat Shurmur and James Bettcher are not known for making effective adjustments. The second half will be the story of the game, and the Eagles have a playoff spot on the line. As much as the Giants want to hold them back, the Eagles want a win just as much and they have the tools to get it done.

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