In a rematch of teams that played two weeks ago, the Eagles in Week 8 have a terrific challenge against a young, confident, and rising New York Giants team that carved out a 34-17 victory at MetLife Stadium in Week 6.

On a day when the Eagles wear their Kelly Green jerseys for the first time in 2025 and former cornerback Eric Allen is the Honorary Captain and is honored at halftime with a Ring of Excellence ceremony, an NFC East rivalry is renewed with some added flavor: The Eagles took a licking two weeks ago and didn't like it. What does that mean for Sunday?

We will find out. In the meantime, some storylines to chew on …

1. The assignment: QB Jaxson Dart

The Eagles learned that rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart is the real deal the first time they saw him: He bought time in the pocket, he threw well on the run and when he was in three-step drops, and on those occasions when Dart took off and ran, he was a problem. Dart gained 58 yards on the ground, including a 20-yard touchdown run that showed off his athleticism. In last Sunday's loss to Denver, Dart threw for 283 yards and three touchdowns before a late-game interception marred his performance. The guy is a tough out. What will Defensive Coordinator Vic Fangio do to take Dart off his game? Is the second time around something different? How do the Eagles disrupt a quarterback who has energized the Giants? The Eagles want to pressure Dart, but also not allow him to have running lanes, so discipline is key.

2. Message from Jordan Mailata is to "be physical"

Left tackle Jordan Mailata understands what the essence of football is: You win in the trenches, and you win in the trenches by being the more physical and fundamental team. New York brings it. Rookie running back Cam Skattebo leads all NFL rookies in yards from scrimmage (587) and touchdowns (6). He ran for 98 yards and scored three times two weeks ago. He was extremely physical.

But he isn't the only one. The Giants have picked up the cue from their young players, and they are attacking on both sides of the football. This is a 2-5 team that is playing like a playoff contender. They have confidence. They have swagger. And they are physical. The Eagles must be ready here.

3. New York's front four is beastly

And that brings us to the task for an Eagles offensive line that won't have center Cam Jurgens (out with a knee injury). Brett Toth has been replacing Jurgens, so he would likely get the assignment of a massive and very talented Dexter Lawrence — who has been double teamed on 61 percent of the snaps he plays. Tough, tough job. On the outside, Brian Burns had two sacks of quarterback Jalen Hurts the first time around, and he is as dangerous a defensive presence as there is in the NFL right now, tied for the league lead with nine quarterback sacks. Rookie Abdul Carter is playing well, as is Kayvon Thibodeaux and the entire Giants front.

4. Eagles want to get an early jump

How much of a difference did it make in Minnesota last week as the Eagles played with a lead? It was huge, right? That's what needs to happen here. Philadelphia fell behind two weeks ago at New York, and the Giants dictated the rest of the way. Playing from in front gives the Eagles a chance to run a balanced offense, to stay in front of the sticks, and all of the good things that come with that.

Another thing we saw last week: Takeaways really help. The Eagles had two of them, one that was turned into seven points on a Jalyx Hunt interception and return for a touchdown, and Philadelphia is 5-0 in games this season when it has a takeaway. So, yeah, it matters a whole lot.

5. The injury watch is something to … watch

Jurgens is out, a big loss for the Eagles. Cornerback Adoree Jackson is out with a concussion. Wide receiver A.J. Brown is out after no practicing all week with a hamstring injury. New York likely won't have starting safety Jevon Holland (doubtful), and cornerback Paulson Adebo has been ruled out. Burns has missed practice time during the week with a hip injury and is questionable.

On and on it goes around the league, so depth is a key part of success. The Eagles are going to rely on some of the reserve players to win this football game against a Giants team that has not swept the Eagles since the 2007 season. Injuries are a definite factor, but that's the life in this league.

6. Is Kelly Green good luck for the Eagles?

If so, keep it going! The Eagles are 4-0 since they've brought back the Kelly Green jerseys in 2023. They've averaged 34.3 points per game in those outings, and that would be a wonderful way to head into the bye week.

New York has lost nine straight road games, and the Eagles are 12-0 against the Giants at Lincoln Financial Field since 2014, including playoffs.

All of that is in the past, as is the game the teams played two weeks ago. You can be sure, however, that the feeling the Eagles had coming back from MetLife Stadium two Thursdays ago is still fresh in their minds. The Eagles need a win here to get to 6-2 and then take some well-deserved days off during the week ahead.