Eagles@Giants
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 29th at 4:25 PM EST
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Betting Odds: NYG +4.5, 45 total via Oddsshark
Network: FOX
Sleeper Spotlight: Greg Ward
Philadelphia Eagles
Quarterback:
- Carson Wentz (Start, QB2)
Win and the NFC East belongs to the Eagles. That’s all Carson Wentz has to manage against the Giants in the regular-season finale. Winners of their last three, Philadelphia is certainly poised to run the table and get into the playoffs. Wentz is coming off a solid performance against Dallas; albeit one touchdown, he did have 319 yards and no turnovers. I’d feel comfortable starting him in New York this week.
Running Backs:
- Miles Sanders (Start, RB2)
- Jordan Howard (Sit)
- Boston Scott (Sit)
Miles Sanders has turned it up majorly in back to back games now, scoring in both and carrying the ball at least 19 times. The Eagles will need that kind of play to continue this week, and I’d trust Sanders to get it done against the woeful Giants. Jordan Howard is expected back from a shoulder injury, but I wouldn’t trust starting him. To compare situations, see James Conner against the Jets last week. He had a similar shoulder injury, and exited the game in the second quarter, albeit a different issue. However, the risk is there for Howard as well. Even with him back, Boston Scott would be a sit for me. This should be a Sanders game through and through.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
- Greg Ward (Start, WR3 with WR2 upside)
- JJ Arcega-Whiteside (Sit)
- Zach Ertz (Start, but temper expectations)
- Dallas Goedert (Start, TE2)
#GregWardSzn is upon us still this late in the fantasy season. Quite possibly the only healthy receiver worth starting in Philly, Ward could post WR2-like numbers against a porous Giants secondary. Given the injuries around him, he should be a lock for eight-plus targets with chances to score. Fellow receiver JJ Arcega-Whiteside may end up playing, but because of his reaggravated foot injury, he’s not a recommended start.
Zach Ertz is also injured (ribs) heading into the must-win weekend and should be considered truly questionable to play. If he does suit up, I wouldn’t think he’ll be a decoy, though you should start him with expectations tempered. Whether Ertz is in or not, you can confidently pivot to fellow TE Dallas Goedert.
New York Giants
Quarterback:
- Daniel Jones (Start, QB2)
Granted it was the Redskins, but Daniel Jones had himself a career game last week. Five touchdowns equated to a – depending on your league’s settings – 50+ fantasy point performance. The completion percentage was a bit off, but the five scores and no turnovers made for a huge day. He’ll look to continue that verse a poor Eagles secondary, in hopes of playing spoiler against their division rival.
Running Back:
- Saquon Barkley (Start, RB1)
If you’re Championship is this week and you have Saquon Barkley on your team, more power to ya. In the past two games, he’s been the RB1 you drafted back in the summer. It’s a shame it took him this long to blow up, but here we are. He has four scores in the last two games, and 100+ yards on the ground in each as well. Having carried the ball 22+ times in back to back weeks, I’m looking for a potential three-peat performance.
Wide Receivers/Tight End:
- Sterling Shepard (Start, WR2)
- Golden Tate (Start, WR2)
- Darius Slayton (Sit)
- Kaden Smith (Start, TE2)
If Danny Dimes has a game any bit similar to last week, his receivers and tight end should benefit again. Sterling Shepard and Golden Tate are for sure start candidates for me, as they face a weak Eagles secondary that has given up the sixth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season. Darius Slayton laid a goose egg last week, as he suffered a knee injury early; though he did end up returning. Frankly, I’d avoid any player with a (new) injury popping up in this final week.
Tight end Kaden Smith has made the Giants forget about the loss of Evan Engram. Smith caught six of eight targets against Washington, two of which went for touchdowns. He’s a safe option for Jones, and I’d look for the target share to remain this week.
-Matthew Cava (@cavaM_ Twitter & Reddit)