Eagles Game, Presidential Debate Coincide: Which Will You Watch?

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The Eagles will take on the New York Giants in a nationally televised Thursday Night Football matchup, as they attempt to halt their slide into the dungeon of the division.

Kickoff is slated for 8:20 p.m. at Lincoln Financial Field, with fans returning to the stadium for the second week after the city of Philadelphia agreed to allow spectators following Gov. Wolf's easing of restrictions on occupancy limits at large gatherings.

The game will take place at the same time as the second presidential debate between former Vice President Joe Biden and President Donald Trump, meaning some politicos who are also football fans will have to make a decision on what to watch. The debate will run from 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Thursday night.

While the Eagles have gotten out to a rough 1-4-1 start to the season and are just a game out of last place, things aren't as bad as they look on paper: they could easily be 4-2 or 3-3, with some luck, more consistent defense, and grace from the football gods. And at least two of the Eagles' four losses did come from front running teams:

Still, polls give the Eagles the advantage over the Big Blue Staters. The Giants are operating without their best player, superstar Saquon Barkley, who is out for the season after tearing his ACL in late September. Without Barkley their offense has been limited to 101 points, third lowest in the NFL. But the argument could be made that the Giants are much better than their record indicates, as well. They lost nail-biter games to both the Cowboys and the Rams, and their defense has outperformed the rest of the NFC East in most statistical categories thus far in 2020.

The Eagles will have to do it without tight end Zack Ertz, running back Miles Sanders, and defensive tackle Malik Jackson, all of whom are suffering from injuries, the team announced.

However, other dinged up key starters — Lane Johnson, DeSean Jackson, and Avonte Maddox — are all expected to suit up Thursday night.