Some numbers to ponder as you kill time before kickoff:
1: The number of blitzes Juan Castillo dialed up against the Giants in the 17-10 Eagles win in New York last year, according to Giants offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride.
“They blitzed us once in the second game and we hit Victor [Cruz] for 47 yards. … That was the only blitz we got the entire second game,’’ Gilbride said. “It’s amazing the difference in approach that they had. It was as different as you’d get. The success they had you’d anticipate that would be their general feeling going into it.’’
51-33: Andy Reid‘s record against the NFC East. The Eagles have won seven of their last eight regular-season meetings with the Giants.
0: The number of touchdowns the Eagles defense has allowed in the second half of games this season.
31: Eagles rank in points per game. They are averaging just 15.7 points despite racking up 417 yards per game. The Giants are scoring 31 points per outing.
-6: The Eagles turnover ratio through three games. That is 30th in the NFL. The Giants are plus-4.
43: The average number of Eli Manning pass attempts in the Giants’ two wins this season.
“You know, when I look at him, after that Cowboys game, it looks like they started trying to run the football. After that, it looked like what they’re doing now is they’re relying on Eli,” said Castillo. ”I mean, they’re really relying more on him. I think last year, he won, what is it, six or seven games in the fourth quarter, so we’re excited for the challenge.”
24: The number Brian Dawkins was first given when he came to the Eagles. Vaughn Hebron wore No. 20 when Dawkins arrived but was released during the preseason. If he hadn’t been, a different number would be getting retired tonight.
