If Eli Manning can get the offense out of bad plays it could energize the running game, and Saquon Barkley is the best chance for an upset to materialize. A throwback performance from Manning will be a great story, but alas, the Giants have to put their lousy defense on the field.

Eagles 27, Giants 17

Eagles defensive line vs. Giants offensive line: This is where the Eagles make their money. Their defense has been disappointing this season, but their guys up front can wreck a game and often have against the Giants. Brandon Graham on the outside has seven sacks, and the other defensive end, Derek Barnett (listed as questionable with an ankle injury), has 4.5 sacks. The stud of the group is on the inside. Fletcher Cox is a disruptor of the highest order, although off-season toe surgery led to a slow start. Cox has 3.5 sacks and nine tackles for loss. “Fletcher Cox is like easily one of my favorite players in the league to watch,’’ Saquon Barkley said. “Obviously, he’s well known, but I don’t think he gets enough respect as he should from what I’ve taken as we’ve played him.’’

Bird’s-Eye View: The difference facing Eli Manning, as opposed to rookie Daniel Jones, figures to be stark, though veteran Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins says do not discount run-pass options even though Manning is not a run option. “I think Eli knows how to count bodies in the box and get rid of it if it’s not a good look,’’ Jenkins said. Still, this is a different assignment for the Eagles. “Jones had been running some zone read and had made some scramble plays,’’ defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. “Eli, that’s not a huge part of his game. Jones had been holding the ball a little bit in the pocket. We know Eli is not going to hold it. The ball is going to come out pretty quick.’’

Neighborhood Bullies: Yeah, it would have been more comfy for Manning to dust himself off next week, at home facing the Dolphins, instead of this miserable matchup. The Giants and Manning are 1-9 in their past 10 games in this series, and the Giants have lost seven straight at the Linc. So, when Manning says he will be “going against a good defense but also a defense we’ve faced a number of years, know ’em well’’ he is correct. Familiarity, though, has not helped.

Now You See Him …: Manning labeled his week of preparation as “business as usual.’’ Of course, it is not. He low-keyed his unexpected return. Maybe he gets to start only one more game, perhaps he gets all four remaining games, depending on how Jones’ ankle heals. One, two, three or four, the expiration date on Manning’s career is stamped but not yet due.

Hold Your Breath: One of the most comforting aspects to Manning’s 16 years was his team always knew what to expect from him. This 12-week hiatus injects this impending performance with abject curiosity. “He looks good,’’ offensive coordinator Mike Shula said. “He’s had a good week. He always has a good look in his eye. I look forward to watching him on Monday night.’’