Giants-Eagles Week 9 matchup: What to watch in Sunday's game; can Big Blue snap 13-game skid at Philadelphia?

Giants aim to end 13-game losing streak in Philadelphia

Kermit the Frog famously said it's not easy being green. For the Giants, it's not easy beating green, not when the games are in Philadelphia.

Heading into Sunday’s game against the Eagles, the Giants have lost 13 straight at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles have won 21 of the last 26 meetings.

Yet none of that history concerns the Giants. John Harbaugh has downplayed any significance of the road losing streak. So did left tackle Andrew Thomas, the team’s longest-tenured player.

“When you’re out there, I’m not thinking about ‘oh, we lost last year,' whatever the case may be,” Thomas told Newsday. “I’m focusing on what’s my assignment and how can I execute. Because if you focus on the past or have anxiety from past games, you’re not going to do what you need.”

The main goal is get a win and try to widen the Giants’ division lead. Recent history hasn’t been kind, but Thomas said it’s easy not to dwell on it. Harbaugh’s message about going 1-0 each week has kept the Giants focused on the present stakes, not what has happened before or will happen.

“The past doesn’t always predict the future, so we’re just focusing on what we got to do to beat the Eagles,” Thomas said. "And that’s what we can focus on.”

Nabers glad to keep working on chemistry with McCarthy

Malik Nabers added another notch in his comeback, being named NFC Offensive Player of the Month for the first time in his career.

The next goal? Continue to develop chemistry with quarterback J.J. McCarthy after five quarters on the field together.

“It’s a relationship that still is getting worked on,” said Nabers, who has four straight games with at least 100 receiving yards. “He knows I’m smart. He knows I know how to get myself the ball. He knows I know how to get other people the ball also.”

Nabers said getting himself the ball comes from his LSU days. His coaches trusted him to know all of the coverages and how to get open, but also how to manipulate routes to help free other receivers.

Nabers and Isaiah Likely are a potent 1-2 combo and have helped each other all season. Now the goal is to get McCarthy comfortable so he can keep looking their way.

“We’re all about give us the football. Let us do what we got to do,” Nabers said. “Don’t think too hard about it. Just let us go be who we are. Our job is to go get the ball when we see it. Our job is to get open for him, and we’re going to do just that.”

Giants' running game in flux with Skattebo injury

With Cam Skattebo listed as doubtful for Sunday with a hamstring injury, Devin Singletary is in line to start at running back. It’s a big chance for him after his walk-off touchdown two weeks ago and an even bigger opportunity for who’s behind him.

Greg Desrosiers Jr. could make his NFL debut after the Giants signed him from the Chargers' practice squad last week. The rookie played at Louisville, UMass and Memphis before going undrafted this past spring.

“It’d mean a lot and I promise that I’m going to make it count,” Desrosiers said. “If that does happen, definitely would mean a lot. But it’s just the beginning.”

Phil Mafah also could be elevated from the practice squad. The seventh-round pick in 2025 spent last season with the Cowboys and appeared in one game.

Giants continue to trust rookie kicker Zvada

Although Dominic Zvada missed two kicks in the Giants’ win over Houston, his job is safe.

The Giants aren’t planning to try out any other kickers, Harbaugh said. Zvada has missed five field-goal attempts and all have come from at least 40 yards, including three misses from at least 50 yards.

He's had eight attempts of at least 50 yards, tied for the NFL lead. The offense could do better to help him out there, and Harbaugh said he's still got confidence in Zvada.

“We really think he's made of the right stuff,” Harbaugh said. “Over the long haul, he's got to do it. He's got to prove it. There's no doubt about that. But we're of the belief that he's going to be a long-term answer for us and let's go. Let's go make some kicks and go win a game.”

It helps Zvada to know Harbaugh has his back. The endorsement helped keep his spirits up during the bye week when he and the coaching staff went over how to fix his issues.

He knows that come Sunday, he has to perform. The support behind him has made it easier to believe he will.

“It’s great to have a coach that believes in me,” Zvada told Newsday. “I know all the coaches and the players here believe in me, so I really feel that, I see that and it really helps me.”

By Evan Barnes

evan.barnes@newsday.comevan_b

Evan Barnes covers the Giants for Newsday. He previously covered the Brooklyn Nets, Memphis football and the Memphis Grizzlies and also covered prep sports in Los Angeles.