PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- The injury-riddled New York Giants face not one, but two dangerous opponents Sunday: The Philadelphia Eagles, a team they beat by only one point at home four weeks ago, and the rock-hard Veterans Stadium turf.

Big Blue -- or more appropriately, Big Black and Blue -- can't afford any more NFC East losses. On top of that, they can't afford any more injuries.

Whatever happens, the Giants (4-3) will be one of the happiest teams in the NFL to get a bye week if they can get through 60 precarious minutes at the Vet.

"We have to go into Philly with an attitude," said linebacker Jessie Armstead, who will play despite a deep rib bruise. "We have to win. Then we can regroup during the bye week and see where we are. But right now, we need to get to Philly. And if anybody starts talking about anything else, it will be up to the veterans on this team to put an end to that.

"We need that game badly."

Running back Gary Brown is out for the season. His replacement, Joe Montgomery, is out with a broken foot. The defense is decimated by injuries to safety Percy Ellsworth, out with a broken foot, and his backup, Shaun Williams, who will miss 3-4 weeks with a pulled hamstring.

Defensive tackle Robert Harris also is out with a sprained ankle and fractured leg.

"Let's put it this way," Giants coach Jim Fassel said, "making up our inactive list shouldn't be too difficult this week."

The last time the Eagles played a home game, Dallas receiver Michael Irvin was seriously injured, carted off on a stretcher and cheered by the venomous Philly fans.

By the end of this game, it should be a close race to see which will be longer: the Giants' list of injuries or the arrest log at the Vet on Halloween.

"Against the Cowboys, I've seen how exciting this place can be if you win a big game," said Doug Pederson, who led the Eagles to two straight victories before losing 16-13 at Miami last week. "That's what we're trying to get back."

This may sound funny, but the Eagles (2-5) are overachieving under coach Andy Reid. Three of their defeats have come by a total of five points, including a 16-15 loss to the Giants at the Meadowlands Oct. 3.

Last week, the Eagles had a shot at their first three-game winning streak since Ray Rhodes' second season. But Norm Johnson's 42-yard field goal to tie with less than a minute left sailed wide right.

Though Pederson showed signs of improvement in successive victories over the Cowboys and Bears, Reid said rookie Donovan McNabb might play in the first half against the Giants "if the situation's right." Pederson was 6-for-15 for 75 yards and two interceptions last time against the Giants. McNabb was 3-for-7 for 38 yards and was sacked five times. He's taken one snap in three games.

"As old as it must be getting to hear me say it, it's a subjective decision," Reid said.

Giants quarterback Kent Graham silenced his critics -- at least for a week -- with a strong performance in New York's 31-3 victory at New Orleans. Graham was 19-for-29 for 239 yards and two touchdowns, including a 53-yarder to Joe Jurevicius on the last play of the first half.

"One thing about New York fans is, they're educated," said Graham, who has heard critics calling for Kerry Collins to replace him. "They understand that sometimes the offense can struggle, but they'll stick with you. Last time against Philly, I threw three picks. I don't care where you're at, they're going to start calling for the other guy."

Lyle West probably will start at safety for the Giants in place of Ellsworth and Williams. If West's hamstring is too sore, the Giants will turn to Brandon Sanders, signed this week.

While New York has plenty of hobbled players and replacements to pick on, Eagles receiver Charles Johnson offered this bulletin-board material for cornerback Jason Sehorn, who is getting healthier every week.

"He's an aggressive corner," Johnson said. "As a wide receiver, you take note of that. You see what moves will work on him. One move we think we can hit on him is the double move; give him one move, sell him one route, and take it deep on him."

Should be an interesting duel.

For the Eagles, cornerback Troy Vincent was upgraded to probable with a strained groin. Vincent is having an outstanding year with four of the team's 14 interceptions.

NY GIANTS Season schedule and results

PHILADELPHIA Season schedule and results

September 12 @Tampa Bay W 17-13 September 19 Washington L 21-50 September 26 @New England L 14-16 October 3 Philadelphia W 16-15 October 10 @Arizona L 3-14 October 18 Dallas W 13-10 October 24 New Orleans W 31-3 October 31 @Philadelphia 1:00pm ET November 14 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET November 21 @Washington 4:15pm ET November 28 Arizona 1:00pm ET December 5 NY Jets 1:00pm ET December 12 @Buffalo 1:00pm ET December 19 @St. Louis 1:00pm ET December 26 Minnesota 1:00pm ET January 2 @Dallas 4:05pm ET

September 12 Arizona L 24-25 September 19 Tampa Bay L 5-19 September 26 @Buffalo L 0-26 October 3 @NY Giants L 15-16 October 10 Dallas W 13-10 October 17 @Chicago W 20-16 October 24 @Miami L 13-16 October 31 NY Giants 1:00pm ET November 7 @Carolina 1:00pm ET November 14 Washington 1:00pm ET November 21 Indianapolis 1:00pm ET November 28 @Washington 1:00pm ET December 5 @Arizona 4:05pm ET December 12 @Dallas 1:00pm ET December 19 New England 1:00pm ET January 2 St. Louis 1:00pm ET

Records source: STATS, Inc.

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