This is probably the biggest playoff game of the weekend.

One, because this Eagles - Giants faceoff in the 2009 NFC divisional playoffs will feature two teams from the NFC East, arguably the best division in pro sports. Two, because whichever team comes out of this one will probably go on and win the Super Bowl.

Yup, the 2009 NFL playoffs continue this Sunday at Giants Stadium where the Philadelphia Eagles visit the New York Giants for what should be one heckuva’ playoff game.

This is the first playoff game for the New York Giants since denying the New England Patriots of the Super Bowl last year. They start their playoff campaign with a divisional-round game against the red-hot Philadelphia Eagles who, despite being the last seed in the conference, should pose a formidable challenge to anyone who stands across them in the postseason.

The New York Giants (12-4) stumbled somewhat at the end of the season, dropping three of their last four, although they managed to clinch the top seed in the NFC with an overtime win over Carolina on Dec.21. That earned a much-needed first-round bye for the Giants, who opened the season 11-1 and weathered a brutal schedule while playing 13 straight games after their bye week.

The Philadelphia Eagles, who are brimming with confidence right now, have already beaten the Giants in New York once this season and is playing incredibly well defensively. The G-Men refuse to admit it, but their fans will, they would have rather played the Cardinals this weekend than NFC East rival Philadelphia. Either way, they’ve got the Eagles and now the defending champs will have to defend their title the hard way.

This game will come down to two things; Brandon Jacobs and protecting Eli Manning. If the Giants can get Jacobs and the running game going, it’ll help neutralize what Eagle defensive coordinator Jim Johnson does best, BLITZ. But if Jacobs is ineffective, the Eagles are going to send the house every play and pressure Manning, who can look like a Super Bowl winner one moment and Henry Burris the next.

Since Plaxico Burress was ruled out for the year, not having a playmaker at receiver has hurt the Giants over the past couple weeks. Their win over the Panthers in Week 16 was inspiring, but their receivers aren’t making big plays. That is a problem going against a secondary that is playing incredibly well right now.

As for Philly, they have to stop the run. They allowed the Vikings to rush for close to 150 yards last weekend and were just fortunate that Tarvaris Jackson couldn’t make enough plays in the passing game to beat them. If the Eagles can’t stop the run again this week, they can rest assure that Manning will beat them, even with the lack of a playmaker at receiver.

They need to stuff the run, pressure Eli and get his confidence down immediately. They also need better production from Brian Westbrook, who couldn’t get going against a very good Minnesota front seven. Donovan McNabb has played extremely well over the past month, but he needs Westbrook to open things up for him so the Giants won’t just pin their ears back and pressure him into mistakes.

It’s going to be a good one. Fasten your fucking seatbelt folks.

Can the Philadelphia Eagles beat the New York Giants in the NFC divisional playoffs? Bodog sportsbook has the odds.

Philadelphia Eagles +4

New York Giants -4

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Philadelphia Eagles New York Giants