Game Info
Kickoff: Monday, December 25th, 4:30 PM EST
Location: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, PA
Betting Odds: PHI -12, 42.5 O/U Total on Oddshark
Network: FOX
Writer: Dustin Ludke (@theDunit13 on Twitter)
New York Giants
Quarterbacks
Tommy DeVito (Sit, QB2)
Perhaps the magic has worn off, or perhaps we are just seeing who Tommy DeVito really is, but the meteoric rise of the chicken-cutlet-eating pisan has been, dare I say it, average the past few weeks. He now has to face a defense with a great pass rush. The Philadelphia Eagles are giving up the 2nd most points to quarterbacks but Tommy DeVito hasn’t been great. It’s the fantasy playoffs so I’m not trusting him, unless in a 2-QB league, in which case I would hesitantly play him.
Running Backs
Saquon Barkley (Start, Flex) Matt Brieda (Sit)
It’s been hit or miss with Saquon Barkley this season. At times he looks like the former second overall pick, and at other times he looks like an easily replaceable running back. Starting him this week is a tough pill to swallow facing an Eagles defense that is giving up the fewest points to running backs, but I think you have to start him based on what he can be. I think he is a solid flex play this week. I know I’m going to get a ton of comments but his matchup is so tough and the team’s total offense has looked lacking. Their drives aren’t being extended which limits his opportunity upside.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends
Darius Slayton (Sit, FLEX), Wan’Dale Robinson (Sit), Darren Waller (Start, TE2)
This is just a gross group to even think about playing in fantasy football. Sure, the Eagles are giving up the most points to wide receivers, but that is usually because of a star wide receiver they have to play against. Darius Slayton and Wan’Dale Robinson are playing the most snaps, but have only seen 10 and 11 targets combined in their past two games. They each have a game over 50 yards but neither has scored. I think you have to sit every Giants wide receiver.
This probably applies to tight-end Darren Waller as well. He had his first game back after missing time with a hamstring injury and only played on 42% of the team’s total snaps so there is hope that this week he gets worked in more. Even on limited snaps he had six targets, catching four of them for 40 yards. The Eagles are middle of the road in terms of points surrendered to the tight end position so it is a decent matchup, but I just worry about the upside. You can roll Waller out as a TE2 if you need to.
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback
Jalen Hurts (Start, QB1)
Yes and Yes. If Jalen Hurts can put up QB1 numbers while dealing with an illness and having no passing touchdowns and two interceptions I’m rolling him as my QB1 against the New York Giants who are giving up the 16th most points to quarterbacks. Start him as a QB1.
Running Backs
D’Andre Swift (Start, RB2), Kenneth Gainwell (Sit), Boston Scott (Sit)
The Giants are giving up the 7th most points to running backs right now so it’s a great matchup for the Philly run game. It starts with D’Andre Swift. He has double-digit carries in every game this season except for two, one of which was all the way back in Week 1. He has been not as productive lately which gives me and other fantasy managers pause. He isn’t losing work to Kenny GainwellK but Swift’s inefficiency makes him hard to trust as anything more than a low-end RB2. I’m also not trusting Gainwell.
Now we have to talk about the noted New York Giant killer Boston Scott. He has only 16 rushing touchdowns in his career but nine of them have come against the G-men over the past four years. I’m not starting him but it’s a fun narrative to watch for this weekend. They play again in Week 18.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
A.J. Brown (Start, WR2), DeVonta Smith (Start, WR2), Julio Jones (Sit), Dallas Goedert (Sit, TE2)
The passing game for the Eagles is a three-man group. First, there is the stand-out A.J. Brown. He has been a WR2 or better in nine games this year. Even when teams put their best corner on him he manages to get enough to be a WR3. This week it will be a team effort for the Giants to cover him. Rookie corner Deonte Banks will probably get the task of trying to contain him. Banks ranks as the 108th-best corner, so not very good. The Giants will probably bring a safety over to help. This probably comes from Xavier McKinney who ranks as the 8th best cover safety. Even with bracket coverage Brown should be a solid WR2.
DeVonta Smith will benefit from Brown’s bracket coverage and see a lot of man coverage from Adoree’ Jackson. Jackson rates as the 112th best corn by PFF.com. It’s a great matchup for Smith who has been coming on lately. He will be a solid WR2 this week.
The third man is tight end Dallas Goedert who came back from injury in Week 14 and last week saw nine targets. The Giants are giving up the 9th fewest points to tight ends so it’s a tougher matchup. I expect the Eagles to run the ball and take deep shots. I might see if I have a better option other than Goedert this week even if he does get into the TE2 range.