Eagles vs. Giants predictions: Our expert picks on Saquon Barkley's revenge game at MetLife

PHILADELPHIA − You might have heard that Eagles running back Saquon Barkley is facing his old team, the Giants, at MetLife Stadium this Sunday.

And yes, Barkley is excited about it. Why wouldn't he be? He spent six seasons with the Giants, rushed for more than 1,300 yards twice, and he was just as beloved by the organization. That was apparent when the HBO series: "Hard Knocks: Offseason With the New York Giants " caught team owner John Mara telling GM Joe Schoen: "I'll have a tough time sleeping if Saquon goes to Philadelphia."

Well, Mara must be having nightmares this week, and Barkley no doubt would love to show his former team what it's missing. Barkley is fourth in the NFL in rushing with 482 yards, and he has 5 total touchdowns.

Yet Barkley isn't the only factor in determining the outcome of the game. For example, Barkley's ability to find running lanes, as well as quarterback Jalen Hurts having time to throw, will depend on how well the offensive line can hold off the Giants pass rush. And they'll have to do it without left tackle Jordan Mailata.

The Giants lead the NFL with 26 sacks, and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence is second in the NFL with 7.

In addition, Giants rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, expected to play after suffering a concussion two weeks ago, will be a handful for Darius Slay if he plays (knee) and rookie Quinyon Mitchell.

So while Barkley's return will grab the headlines, here's how we see the game going:

Our prognosticators are Martin Frank (Eagles beat writer/columnist, Delawareonline.com), Greg Giesen (sports strategist, Delawareonline.com), Tom McGurk (sports editor, Courierpostonline.com), Tom Moore (sports columnist, Phillyburbs.com), Bob Jordan (sports editor, app.com), Bert Bainbridge (sports betting analyst & columnist, Northjersey.com), Tom Haines (Pennsylvania state planning), Brad Myers (high school sports writer, Delawareonline.com), Kevin Tresolini, (college sports reporter, Delawareonline.com), Michelle Ganassi (audience director & die-hard Steelers fan, Delawareonline.com), Shane Brennan (New Castle County reporter, Delawareonline.com), Tom Rimback (sports writer, Courierpostonline.com), Brandon Holveck (high school sports reporter, Delawareonline.com)

Martin Frank

There are two things that could derail an Eagles victory: The Giants' defensive line, and Nabers tearing up the Eagles' secondary. The Barkley factor overrides all of that. This will be the game the Eagles break their first-quarter scoring drought, and by the end, Barkley will wear down the Giants D-line.

The pick: Eagles 29, Giants 16

Tom Rimback

In all fairness, it sounded on TV like the fans were chanting 'Niiiiick.' The Eagles were supposed to right the ship against the struggling Falcons, then against the hapless Browns. Could the third time, in Saquon's return to the Meadowlands, be the charm?

The pick: Eagles 10, Giants 9

Brad Myers

Sure, that win over the Browns wasn't pretty. But it was my first correct Eagles prediction of the season, so we'll take it. Let's see if the Birds can grind out another unsatisfying victory this week.

The pick: Eagles 17, Giants 13

Michelle Ganassi

The Giants will be hyped with Saquon Barkley making his return, and will want to prove they are not worth the last spot in the NFC East. (Let's be real the Cowboys are playing horribly this season). While the Eagles may be turning it around, the Giants will squeeze out a close win.

The pick : Giants 31, Eagles 27

Kevin Tresolini

It's difficult to put much faith in the Eagles with their slow starts, inconsistency and inability to put opponents away more quickly and efficiently. That makes this a great opportunity for the Giants. But with Saquon Barkley now wearing an Eagles uniform and certainly determined to have a great showing, and the Giants being winless at home, we'll give this nod to the Birds.

The pick: Eagles 24, Giants 20

Brandon Holveck

In Sunday's win over Cleveland, the Eagles didn't prove that they had fixed any of their offensive inadequacies over the bye week. The game hinged on low-percentage heaves to A.J. Brown (only Jalen Hurts and DeVonta Smith have had more connections with a completion probability of 25% or lower than Hurts and Brown since 2022, according to NFL Next Gen Stats), and featured a muted running game. The presumed absence of left tackle Jordan Mailata and the possible loss of tight end Dallas Goedert only exacerbates the Eagles' issues.

The pick: Giants 23, Eagles 17

Tom McGurk

Big Blue will present big problems for the Birds, but expect the return of Saquon Barkley to bump them to victory.

The pick: Eagles 23, Giants 20

Tom Moore

The Eagles scrape by for the second week in a row.

The pick: Eagles 24, Giants 23

Bob Jordan

It's Barkley Bowl I. Giants fans still upset over losing Saquon Barkley to the Eagles can also blame the Eagles for putting the free agent system on steroids because the Birds played poverty and let defensive stalwart Reggie White get away and sign with the Packers in 1993, the first offseason that featured free agency. But in White's first game against his old team, the Eagles won 20-17. Advantage Giants.

The pick: Giants 20, Eagles 17

Greg Giesen

Philadelphia is in the midst of the soft-gooey center of its schedule facing the Browns, Giants, Jaguars and Cowboys over a five-week stretch. If there's one thing learned from Sunday's win, it's this: The Eagles can't even enjoy the soft-gooey portion of the schedule. Philly will win, but somehow make it harder than it should be.

The pick: Eagles 20, Giants 13

Tom Haines

So who's out for revenge here? The Giants put an embarrassing exclamation point on the Eagles 2023 collapse with a 17-point victory in Game 17 at MetLife.

The pick: Eagles 24, Giants 20

Bert Bainbridge

The boo birds will be echoing throughout MetLife Stadium every time Saquon Barkley touches the ball in his first game back in the Meadowlands. Following a season-low 47 rushing yards in Week 6 versus Cleveland, Barkley has a monster day against his former team, with the Eagles beating the G-Men for the 14th time in the last 18 meetings.

The pick: Eagles 24, Giants 17

Shane Brennan

Who is worse, the Eagles against inferior competition or Daniel Jones in MetLife? Never pick the Giants to beat the Eagles. This is a great get-right opportunity for the Birds, and they need one bad. Also, Saquon Barkley will be motivated to prove to the Giants how much he is worth.

The pick: Eagles 23, Giants 9

Overall records

4-1: Jordan

3-2: Tresolini, Holveck

2-3: Frank, Rimback, Giesen, McGurk, Moore, Haines, Ganassi

1-3 : Bainbridge, Brennan

1-4: Myers

Contact Martin Frank at mfrank@delawareonline.com. Follow on X @Mfranknfl, on Threads and Instagram @martinfrank1.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eagles vs. Giants predictions: Our expert picks on Saquon Barkley's revenge game at MetLife