Philadelphia @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Dec 17, 2017 ) Philadelphia 34, N.Y. Giants 29

The reigning Super Bowl champions hardly have the look of a contender, much less one of the teams to beat through the first five weeks of the season. Coming off back-to-back losses for the first time since 2016, the Philadelphia Eagles look to put an end to their mini-slide when they visit the New York Giants on Thursday night in an NFC East matchup.

After dropping a 23-21 decision to Minnesota on Sunday in a rematch of last season's NFC Championship Game, Philadelphia quarterback Carson Wentz said a short work week might be the best thing for his team to snap out of its funk. "The beautiful thing for us right now is that it's a fast turnaround," Wentz said. "We get to get the bad taste in our mouths out fast and go on the road to New York. Thursday night will be here before we know it. ... We don't have to dwell on it too long." The abrupt turnaround could also help the reeling Giants, who are dealing with drama off the field courtesy of comments by star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. while trying to erase the memory of Sunday's crushing 33-31 loss at Carolina on a 63-yard field goal. New York coach Pat Shurmur said he addressed Beckham's criticisms of both quarterback Eli Manning and the team's play-calling and said there was no reason to belabor the issue "because the locker room took care of it. And that's all I'm saying on it. Finito. Done."

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, FOX, NFL Network. LINE: Eagles -3. O/U: 44

ABOUT THE EAGLES (2-3): Philadelphia's offense, which already has been struggled and has yet to put up more than 23 points in a game, received a jarring blow Monday when starting running back Jay Ajayi was lost for the season due to a torn ACL. While trade reports swirl in Philly, the Eagles will likely use the tandem of Wendell Smallwood and Corey Clement against a New York defense that ranks 27th against the run. Philadelphia could also go the aerial route with Wentz targeting Alshon Jeffery, Nelson Agholor and tight end Zach Ertz, who has a team-leading 41 receptions. Philadelphia has the league's No. 2-ranked rushing defense, surrendering 66.4 yards per game.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (1-4): Beckham had his best game Sunday, finding the end zone for the first time while hauling in eight receptions for 131 yards -- his third 100-yard effort of the season. He also threw a 57-yard touchdown pass to rookie running back Saquon Barkley, who can become the second player in league history to account for at least 100 yards from scrimmage in the first six games of his career. Manning threw for a season-high 326 yards at Carolina last week and also had a season high with 434 yards passing in a 34-29 loss to Philadelphia in December. Linebacker Olivier Vernon could make his season debut Thursday for a defense that has a league-low 6.0 sacks.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Philadelphia has won three straight and four of five in the series but each game was decided by five points or fewer.

2. New York placed starting RT Ereck Flowers on waivers Tuesday.

3. Wentz has 11 touchdown passes and two interceptions in his past five division matchups.

PREDICTION: Eagles 24, Giants 23