(Sports Network) - Both the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles will be hoping history repeats itself when the division rivals square off this Sunday in an NFC Divisional Playoff from the Meadowlands.

These teams have met once before at Giants Stadium for the right to advance to the conference Championship Game. That came in January of 2001, with New York out-dueling the Eagles by a 20-10 score en route to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXV.

The Giants were the NFC's No. 1 seed that year because of a 12-4 record in the regular season, and are in the same position this time around after producing an identical record. New York did drop three of its final games after an 11-1 start to the 2008 campaign, but secured home-field advantage throughout the conference tournament with a crucial 34-28 overtime triumph over NFC South champion Carolina in Week 16.

Philadelphia is seeking a duplication of a more recent event. Just over a month ago, the Eagles went into the Meadowlands in must-win mode and delivered one of their most impressive performances of the season in a 20-14 ousting of the reigning world champions. Running back Brian Westbrook amassed 203 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns to pace the offense, while a determined Philadelphia defense limited the Giants to 211 total yards.

That victory was part of a 4-1 stretch to close out the regular season and helped launch the Eagles into the playoffs with a 9-6-1 record. Sixth-seeded Philadelphia then continued its strong late-year run with a 26-14 triumph over NFC North winner Minnesota in last Sunday's NFC Wild Card round.

The Eagles prevailed because of a knack for coming up with big plays at key moments. A 71-yard catch-and-run touchdown by Westbrook midway through the fourth quarter pushed a two-point lead to nine, cornerback Asante Samuel had a momentum-swinging 44-yard interception return score in the second quarter, and rookie receiver DeSean Jackson set up an early field goal with a 62-yard punt return.

New York also faced the Vikings at the Metrodome in its most recent test, but was dealt a 20-19 loss when Minnesota kicker Ryan Longwell drilled a 50-yard field goal on the final play. The Giants did play most of the second half without many of their starting players, including quarterback Eli Manning, after having already clinched the NFC's top seed the previous week.

The Giants also did not have running back Brandon Jacobs available for the game due to a sprained PCL in his left knee. The burly fourth-year pro, who compiled 126 rushing yards and two touchdowns in New York's 36-31 decision over the Eagles in Philadelphia back in Week 10, practiced without any problems this week and will be in the lineup for Sunday's showdown.

SERIES HISTORY

The Giants own a 2-1 lead in the postseason series with the Eagles. Philadelphia was a 23-20 home winner in a 2006 NFC First-Round Playoff, while Big Blue took a 20-10 home decision in the above-mentioned 2000 NFC Divisional Playoff and a 27-21 triumph in a 1981 NFC First-Round Playoff at Veterans Stadium.

In addition to their playoff edge, the G-Men hold a 79-67-2 edge in a regular season series that dates back to the 1933 season, but had a three-game winning streak in the series snapped with the 20-14 home loss in Week 14. New York was a 36-31 winner at Philadelphia in Week 10, and swept last year's home-and- home, including a 16-3 victory at Giants Stadium in Week 4.

Eagles head coach Andy Reid is 10-12 against New York all-time, including 1-1 in the postseason. The Giants' Tom Coughlin is 8-5 versus Philadelphia, with two of the wins dating back to his tenure with the Jacksonville Jaguars, and is 7-5 against Reid in his career.



WHEN THE EAGLES HAVE THE BALL

Philadelphia hasn't been much of a running team this year, but the club made a concerted effort to establish the ground game in last month's matchup with the Giants and received quite positive results. The Eagles put up 144 rushing yards in that victory, with Westbrook (936 rushing yards, 54 receptions, 14 total TD) doing most of the damage with a career-high 33-carry day. The two- time Pro Bowler was held out of most of this week's practice work, a possible indicator that he'll be used extensively on Sunday. Philadelphia likes to utilize its running backs as receivers as well, and both Westbrook and steady backup Correll Buckhalter (369 rushing yards, 26 receptions, 4 TD) are extremely proficient at catching the ball.

While Westbrook certainly added a late-season spark, the Eagles wouldn't be in their present position if not for quarterback Donovan McNabb's (3916 passing yards, 23 TD, 11 INT) superb play down the stretch. The veteran star threw for nine touchdowns and had only one interception over the final five regular- season games, then followed up with 300 yards on 23-of-34 passing in the Wild Card win. McNabb did a terrific job of finding his secondary receivers last week, as tight end Brent Celek (27 receptions, 1 TD) and slot man Jason Avant (32 receptions, 2 TD) combined for 103 yards on 11 grabs against Minnesota. Jackson (62 receptions, 2 TD) topped the team in catches and receiving yards this year, although the flashy rookie was held without a reception in last month's meeting with New York. The Eagles ended the regular season ranked sixth in passing offense (244.4 ypg).

The Giants' defense is well noted for its ability to pressure the quarterback, but the unit failed to sack McNabb in either of the two previous meetings between these rivals this year. Injuries have hindered New York's effectiveness in that area as of late, as end Justin Tuck (67 tackles, 2 sacks), the team's best pass rusher, managed just a half-sack over the last four games while fighting through a lower leg issue and standout tackle Fred Robbins' (36 tackles, 5.5 sacks) production has been slowed by a jammed shoulder and fractures in each of his hands. Both linemen will be ready for Sunday's clash, however, and figure to benefit from having a week of rest. Cornerback Aaron Ross (52 tackles, 3 INT) is also set to return after missing the finale with a concussion and will start opposite top cover man Corey Webster (50 tackles, 3 INT, 24 PD) for the league's eighth-rated pass defense (196.2 ypg).

New York yielded just 95.8 rushing yards per game (9th overall) during the regular season, but Westbrook was one of three enemy backs to run for over 100 yards on the Giants in December. Philadelphia's offensive catalyst may have trouble running up the middle, where Robbins, fellow tackle Barry Cofield (43 tackles, 3 sacks) and middle linebacker Antonio Pierce (95 tackles, 1.5 sacks) are all accomplished stoppers. Pierce racked up a season-high 15 tackles (12 solo) when the Eagles visited the Meadowlands last month.



WHEN THE GIANTS HAVE THE BALL

The Giants' offensive philosophy is to wear down the opposition with a punishing ground attack that produced an NFL-best 157.4 yards per game in the regular season and boasts two 1,000-yard rushers in Jacobs (1089 rushing yards, 15 TD, 6 receptions) and backfield mate Derrick Ward (1025 rushing yards, 2 TD, 41 receptions). The former is a 264-pound battering ram who excels between the tackles and in short-yardage situations, while the latter finished among the team's leading receivers with 41 catches and provides an excellent change of pace to Jacobs' thunder. A top-notch offensive line headed by Pro Bowl selections Chris Snee and Shaun O'Hara has enabled the duo to average better than five yards per rush attempt.

Philadelphia had mixed results in its attempts to contain the Giants' potent running game earlier in the year. New York bullied the Eagles for 219 rushing yards in its victory in November, but mustered only 88 on the ground in last month's rematch. Philly did finish fourth in the league in rushing defense (92.3 ypg), with opponents averaging just 3.5 yards per carry, and like the Giants, are strong along the interior. Second-year middle linebacker Stewart Bradley (108 yards, 1 sack, 1 INT) has made an impact in his first year as a starter, while tackles Brodrick Bunkley (47 tackles, 2 sacks) and Mike Patterson (42 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 1 INT) have been tough to move up front. Expect safeties Brian Dawkins (75 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 INT) and Quintin Mikell (93 tackles, 3 INT, 2 sacks) to often be stationed near the line of scrimmage to help keep Jacobs and Ward honest.

Much has been made of the season-ending suspension the Giants levied upon troublesome wideout Plaxico Burress in early December, but the team has been able to get by due to the collective contributions of the rest of the receiving corps and sound decision-making from Manning (3238 passing yards, 21 TD, 10 INT) under center. The easygoing quarterback directs an offense that committed a mere 13 turnovers this year, tied for the lowest total in the league, and cut his interceptions in half from the previous season. Domenik Hixon (43 receptions, 2 TD) has done a serviceable job since taking Burress' place in the starting lineup, while 34-year-old Amani Toomer (48 receptions, 4 TD) and second-year pro Steve Smith (57 receptions, 1 TD) have been reliable chain-movers. Manning's preferred red-zone target has been sophomore tight end Kevin Boss (33 receptions), who leads the club with six touchdown catches.

Manning won't only have to deal with the often-tricky winter winds in Giants Stadium on Sunday, but a persistent Philadelphia pass rush that recorded 48 sacks (3rd overall) entering the postseason as well. End Trent Cole (77 tackles, 9 sacks), who's coming off a 14-tackle outing against the Vikings, has given New York fits with his pressuring skills over the years, while veteran Darren Howard (26 tackles, 10 sacks, 1 INT) has flourished in his role as a situational interior rusher. Samuel (35 tackles, 4 INT, 22 PD), an offseason free-agent pickup from New England, has also been a good fit for a defense that has surrendered the third-fewest passing yards in the NFL (182.1 ypg).



SPECIAL TEAMS

The Giants have gotten unexpected late-career renaissances from graybeards John Carney and Jeff Feagles at the kicking positions this season. The 44- year-old Carney was named to the Pro Bowl for the first time in 14 years after connecting on 35-of-38 field goal attempts, including 6-of-8 from beyond 40 yards. Feagles, 42, is also headed to Honolulu, and the 21-year vet's mastery of the coffin-corner kick is a big reason why New York ranked fourth in net punting (40.2 avg.)

Philadelphia's David Akers will be visiting one of his least favorite venues on Sunday, as the 10th-year kicker is just 11-of-22 on three-point tries at Giants Stadium for his career and had two short attempts blocked back in December. Punter Saverio Rocca (43.3 avg.) is fresh off a big game against Minnesota in which the ex-Australian rules player pinned all four of his kicks inside the 20-yard line.

The Eagles have the edge in the return game, where the dangerous Jackson (8.8 avg., 1 TD on punt returns) and fellow rookie Quintin Demps (25.3 avg., 1 TD on kickoffs) are a superior combination to New York's pairing of R.W. McQuarters (6.6 avg.) and Ahmad Bradshaw (22.2 avg.).



OVERALL ANALYSIS

In a matchup of two teams that know one another inside and out, and in which the visitor has outperformed the host down the stretch, this is a tough call to make. The Eagles have proven already that they're capable of beating New York in its own house, and except for a hiccup at Washington a few weeks back, have played as well as any NFC contender over the last month. However, it's hard to go against a Giants' team with a history of rising to the occasion on the big stage, and one that has the benefit of getting to lick its wounds with a week off. The likely scenario here is a tightly-contested affair, and that may wind up working against the Eagles. Philadelphia's had some trouble coming up on the winning end of close games, mainly due to a penchant for bogging down in the red zone and an inability to come through in short-yardage situations. The Giants' prowess at running the ball and strength in the kicking game gives the defending champs an ever-so-slight edge.



Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Giants 30, Eagles 27







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