Divisional Weekend/Game No. 3

Division rematches are always so much fun in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs.

Like Sunday’s early game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants. For the third time this year, RB Brian Westbrook (right) will try to run away from LB Antonio Pierce.

These two teams have played each other 152 times over league history. That includes three games in the playoffs. They faced each other twice this season, splitting the games with the Giants winning at Philly by five points and the Eagles winning in the Meadowlands by six points.

They’ll faceoff for the third and deciding game of the ‘08 New Jersey Turnpike Series today, again at the Meadowlands. Kickoff is noon CST and the broadcast is on FOX.

These teams are separated by 100 miles of New Jersey, a trip that’s less than two hours getting on the Turnpike at exit three or four and jumping off at exit 16-W for Giants Stadium.

Familiarity sometimes breeds contempt, and like any divisional rivals that’s happened in the past. But these are two battle-tested, veteran teams who have spent a lot of time in the playoffs over recent seasons. These guys know that as much history as there has been between the teams, it matters not after kickoff.

“The 2008 regular season is over with,” Pierce told the New York media last week. “There is nothing we can do about it. It is not going to help us moving forward. We can look at film and study, but come Sunday, it is a totally different ballgame. I think we understand that.

“The psyche of the team this year is a group that understands what it takes to win the championship. We have 35 or 40 players that were on this team last year, coaching staff, front office, everybody. They know what it takes to win the championship. So what we have this year is experience. And that is what we are going to use this Sunday.”

When the Giants won the first game between these teams back in week 10, they did it with RB Brandon Jacobs running for 126 yards and two touchdowns. As the Giants go into this game, Jacobs is less than 100 percent and he’s missed a lot of playing time over the last month because of a knee injury.

The second time they met, Jacobs and the Giants run game was not a factor. One reason was the absence of WR Plaxico Burress, who had shot himself several days earlier in an incident that still has him on the outside looking in because of a suspension by the Giants.

Burress was a notorious Eagles killer, and normally the Philly defense always had extra help in the deep secondary against him. With Burress out, the Eagles sent that safety to play the run and it made all the difference in the world. Game No. 1, the Giants had 219 rushing yards. Game No. 2, the Giants had 88 rushing yards.

The Giants ripped the Eagles in the ‘07 season with their pass rush, grabbing 15 sacks in two games, including an amazing dozen in one game. This season in two games, the Eagles haven’t given up a sack to New York, providing Donovan McNabb with top-notch protection.

The Eagles have won five of their last six games. New York was 1-3 in December. The Giants hope the rest from a first-round bye will recharge the batteries of this team.

INJURIES

GIANTS – Should have all hands available for the game.

EAGLES – Will be without G Shawn Andrews (back) and likely FB Dan Klecko (shoulder). Starting RT Jon Runyan did not practice all week because of his sprained right knee injury, but he’s expected to play. He’s made 211 consecutive starts.