New York Giants' playoff fate will be heavily influenced by Eagles game

The New York Giants have a huge opportunity down in Philadelphia this Sunday

There's no such thing as a "must-win" in Week 9 of the NFL, but the Giants and their fans should ignore that. A lot is at stake in this game against the battered Eagles .

Based on the analytics and percentages, a Giants win would put them in prime position for a playoff spot. A loss would drop them back deep into the pack.

A Giants win would give them a 68 percent chance to win the NFC East and a 71 percent shot at making the playoffs.

A loss would lessen their division odds to 41 percent and their postseason odds to 43 percent. So, this is kind of a "must-win" for Big Blue (4-2-1) as their schedule gets dicey in the second half of the season.

The Giants have some tough games coming up the rest of the way. Keep in mind, they haven't yet played a team with a winning record and won't until Week 11, when the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars invade MetLife Stadium.

The schedule also has a home game against San Francisco and trips to Detroit and Seattle, all top contenders to win the NFC this year.