Blackburn, now in his fourth season, played much of the game after an early appearance by Kehl. "He played very well," said head coach Tom Coughlin.

PLAYER NOTES

--MLB Antonio Pierce, the housemother of the defensive unit, believes Kehl came out because of the sore toe and that, depending on the defensive coaches' review of Blackburn's game, the rookie could re-take his job Sunday vs. Philadelphia. Wilkinson is still suffering with the knee injury and is not thought to be a factor in the starting situation.

--SLB Danny Clark, in another defensive adjustment by coordinator Steve Spagnuolo, was far more the focal point of the game last Sunday vs. Dallas and led the team in tackles for the first time this season with nine. He was moving inside repeatedly while SS James Butler slid up to protect the vacancy.

--SS James Butler has a sore knee but no structural damage. If he can't play, then veteran Sammy Knight will take over as the starter.

--RB Ahmad Bradshaw hasn't had much chance to carry the ball this season, but his lightning-quick style seems destined to get him time later on. "You use guys like that when the season gets late and the defensive guys are sore and beaten up," says one of the Giants, asking not to be identified. "That's when we send Ahmad after them. He's as fast as any back in this league."

--TE Kevin Boss (sore ankle) will probably make it back to start, but if he can't the backup is Michael Matthews, who was flagged twice last week vs. Dallas for "silly" penalties.

GAME PLAN: The Giants' defense has "owned" the Eagles' offense the past few seasons and the intent is to stop it once again. There are a couple of weak links on the offensive line due to injury, and the Steve Spagnuolo defense will try to exploit that area, along with the expected absence of TE L.J. Smith (back).

Offensively, the Giants like to run first, then pass, but a change of pace might be in store this week, as coordinator Kevin Gilbride pounds the Eagles' defense with his big-back combination of Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward, who have 1,117 yards and eight TDs between them. They run behind one of the best offensive lines in the league, especially the right side of T Kareem McKenzie and G Chris Snee.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH: Giants RDE Justin Tuck vs. Eagles LT Tra Thomas - Tuck is the team's leader in sacks with 81/2 and a force beginning to be recognized throughout the NFL. This won't be a fair fight unless the Eagles' coaching staff gives Thomas some help against Tuck, one of the league's quickest defensive ends.

Eagles RB Brian Westbrook vs. Giants defense: Westbrook is the best all-purpose offensive threat on the team and maybe in the NFL. The Giants will hit him a variety of defensive alignments. MLB Antonio Pierce will most likely shadow Westbrook.

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb vs. Giants CBs Corey Webster and Aaron Ross: McNabb, a veteran of these intense confrontations with the Giants, doesn't have his "A list" receiver corps but can be dangerous enough throwing to Westbrook, WR Hank Baskett and rookie WR DeSean Jackson. He'll have to find a way to beat Webster and Ross while keeping the Eagles' complex pass rush from fooling him.

Giants' RB Brandon Jacobs vs. Eagles run defense: Jacobs, a 6-foot-4, 265-pound battering ram, will try to soften the Eagles' defensive middle, namely DTs Mike Patterson and Brodrick Bunkley and MLB Stewart Bradley.

INJURY IMPACT: The Giants will probably not have CB Kevin Dockery (transverse process) and WLB Gerris Wilkinson (knee). TE Kevin Boss (ankle) might miss the game, too.