For the first time this season, the Eagles ran the ball more than they threw it in their 48-20 Thanksgiving night win over Arizona. But don't look for that to happen again Sunday when the Eagles face the New York Giants. While Brian Westbrook should be feeling better after getting 10 days to rest his ailing knee and ankle, Reid still will attack the Giants primarily with the pass.
PLAYER NOTES
--G Shawn Andrews has begun rehabbing his surgically-repaired back with trainer Rick Burkholder. But there is little chance he'll be able to play again this season, though he still hasn't been put on injured reserve.
--G Nick Cole will start at RG Sunday against the Giants in place of Max Jean-Gilles, who suffered a season-ending fractured ankle in the Arizona game. It will be just his second career start.
--RB Correll Buckhalter, who missed the Arizona game with a sprained knee, didn't practice Wednesday and is questionable for Sunday's game.
--RB Kyle Eckel, who was activated for the first time last week against Arizona and rushed for 27 yards on 6 carries, likely will be activated again this week and back up starter Brian Westbrook since it doesn't look like Correll Buckhalter will be able to go.
--CB Asante Samuel, who missed the Arizona game with a neck stinger, practiced Wednesday and is expected to play this week against the Giants.
GAME PLAN: The Eagles' main defensive priority against the Giants on Sunday will be to stop the run. They were torched for 219 rushing yards by Brandon Jacobs and Co. in the first meeting a month ago. They want to slow Jacobs down, so that they then can focus their attention on pressuring quarterback Eli Manning.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Eagles RG Nick Cole v. Giants LDE Justin Tuck -- Cole is making his second career start. He'll face Tuck in passing situations when Tuck moves inside.
Eagles MLB Stewart Bradley v. Giants RB Brandon Jacobs: Bradley had 14 tackles in the first meeting, but Jacobs still rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns.
INJURY IMPACT: Injuries to Shawn Andrews and Max Jean-Gilles have the Eagles down to their third right guard, Nick Cole, who will be making just his second career start. Cole could be overmatched against the Giants' front four, particularly in passing situations when Justin Tuck will be lining up on his right shoulder. The extra rest the Eagles got by virtue of playing on Thanksgiving should benefit a lot of players, but nobody more than RB Brian Westbrook, who is nursing a sore ankle and knee.
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