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PHILADELPHIA -- Eli Manning's introduction to the NFL was a crushing hit from Jerome McDougle on the final play of a lopsided loss in the 2004 season opener.

The Eagles have punished Manning quite a bit since the Giants quarterback made his debut the same day a guy known as T.O. played his first game in Philadelphia. But Manning has gotten the better end on the scoreboard, leading New York to a 4-2 record in six regular-season starts against the Eagles.

If Manning sticks it to Philly again on Sunday, he'll move the Giants (8-4) closer toward securing a playoff berth and put the Eagles (5-7) on the brink of elimination.

For all the criticism Manning receives in New York for his inconsistent performance, the Eagles consider him someone who finds a way to get the job done no matter how ugly it looks at times.

"The bottom line is that in the last several games, he's won some games in the fourth quarter," defensive coordinator Jim Johnson said. "He did a great job. There has been inconsistency, but he's got talent. He's had some good games and bad games, but he has won some games. They're a winning football team right now, so give him credit. It still starts with the quarterback."

Manning struggled for more than three quarters in Chicago last Sunday, but threw a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown passes to lead the Giants past the Bears. Overall, he has 17 TDs and 17 interceptions this season along with a mediocre 74.2 passer rating.

None of that matters to the Eagles. They've seen Manning absorb a beating and come out on top. In Week 2 last season, Philly's defense sacked Manning eight times. He withstood the relentless pressure, brought the Giants back from a 17-point deficit in the final quarter and threw for 371 yards and three TDs, including the game-winner in OT.

"I think he's a little better when it's a hurry-up type of situation, when he has to make checks at the line," safety Brian Dawkins said. "I don't know if he's calling his own plays or not, but it seems like when he is in that hurry-up mode, he's getting after it if you don't get pressure on him. If you get pressure on him, then hopefully we'll be able to slow him down a little bit with his checks and make him throw the ball faster."

Manning has 10 TDs and 10 interceptions in eight career games against the Eagles, including a playoff loss last January. He's been sacked 23 times, and has a pair of 300-yard games.

Philly's defense should be close to full-strength this week with defensive tackle Brodrick Bunkley and strong safety Quintin Mikell returning after sitting out with knee injuries.

"It's one of those deals where you can pick up some of their blitzes and not let that affect you and have some shots to get the ball down the field and make some big plays," Manning said. "They play very aggressive and cheat at times on some of their coverages. It helps them make a lot of plays. They'll get you a few times and fool you, but you can't let those plays become bad plays. And when you have it picked up and you have the right play called, you have to make those count for you."

Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index