How the Eagles-Giants Monday night game could make or break each team’s season

Can a game in mid-October really have make-or-break playoff implications?

According to several football analytic sites, including ESPN’s Pro Football Index, Monday Night’s game between the 2-3 Eagles and the 3-2 Giants is as big as they come.

With the Cowboys and Redskins also at 2-3, the winner of Monday’s game will lead the NFC East.

For New York, according to the Index, wins against Philadelphia and Dallas in their next two games would increase the Giants’ playoff odds from 38 percent to 71 percent, nearly double.

If they beat the Eagles they will jump to a 60 percent chance of making the post season.

For the Eagles, a win means they would have a 68 percent chance of making the playoffs with just a 38 percent chance if they lose. An Eagles victory would cut Big Blue’s odds down to 29 percent.

RELATED LINK: Week 5 NFL Power Rankings

With the Eagles set to host Monday’s potential slugfest, Philly is currently a 4.5 point favorite and 71 percent favorite to win the game.

Philly is projected to have nine wins this season (though five games) and has a 3 percent chance to win the Super Bowl.

If last week’s win, which got the team back on track with 519 yards of total offense against the Saints, is any indication, they could be in pretty good shape. But last Sunday’s win was just one game.

“We need to come out and have a great week of preparation for the Giants on Monday night,” Connor Barwin said.”If you go rest on this game and then go lay another egg next week, then this week’s win was meaningless.”

The Eagles weak remaining schedule could be a reason why the computer is so optimistic (despite their on-field issues to start the season). After two difficult matchups against the aforementioned Giants and the undefeated Panthers in Week 7, Philly has the luxury of facing the Cowboys for the second time in Week 9, fresh off a bye week.

They’ll then play three favorable matchups against the Dolphins, Buccaneers and Lions (with two of these at home).

A lot can happen between now and then, but if the Eagles can handle the next five games on their schedule they can put themselves in a position to hold their own fate after Thanksgiving (when they head to Foxboro to face the defending champ Patriots).