You know ‘em.

You love ‘em.

Here’s your five questions for tonight’s Eagles-Giants game.

1. How much of that four-defensive end alignment will we see tonight?

If defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is smart, he’ll throw out a front of Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Justin Tuck, and Michael Strahan out there quite a bit. Not always, of course, because you have to change things up. And sometimes you need the big guys in the middle if there’s a run threat, which the Eagles have in triplicate with one-man gang Brian Westbrook. But that front generated a heck of a pass rush last week in Washington, so don’t be surprised to see it again. Besides, it’s a plus to the whole defense whenever Kiwanuka can be relieved of coverage responsibilities at linebacker.

2. What about the Giants’ own rushing threat?

Derrick Ward has done just fine in Brandon Jacobs’ absence. Now the question is how long will Ward last? He’s got a gimpy left ankle and may have to split carries with Reuben Droughns, assuming Jacobs will sit until next week to make sure his sprained right knee is fit and ready. The guess here is that Ward and Droughns will get a pretty even division of the workload. But Droughns isn’t the runner he was two years ago. Could be a problem.

3. Can Aaron Ross handle starting at right cornerback?

If last week’s final three quarters was any indication, Ross should slip right in there in place of the ineffective Corey Webster. The first-rounder from Texas is strong enough to get his hands on people at the line and fast enough to keep up with them downfield. And that’s going to be important with Kevin Curtis coming off a 221-yard, three-touchdown receiving game. It’s going to be vital that Ross and Sam Madison bump Curtis and Reggie Brown off the line to disrupt Donovan McNabb’s timing with them. A frontal pass rush will help, too. But if McNabb is given a free hand, he’ll chew up the Giants’ secondary just as badly as he did the Lions’.

4. Are there areas inside the Eagles’ defense for Eli Manning to exploit?

Yes. Especially on the left side where injured Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard is replaced by Joselio Hanson. Just make sure Plaxico Burress’ sprained right ankle is bound up well, because he could see a lot of business tonight. Burress has some extra motivation to come out strong this week, since last week’s first half netted him an embarrassing zero catches. Manning might also want to give the short throw over the middle a good look, as middle linebacker Omar Gaither is a different, less physical player than his predecessor Jeremiah Trotter.

5. Can the Giants build some momentum here?

There’s certainly the opportunity. After last week’s win, they are in the same 1-2 spot as they were last season. No better, but no worse, either. And you may remember that they ripped off five straight wins from there to finish the first half at 6-2. Problem is, this is a primetime game. The Giants have never done well at night. Issues with goblins or something. Anyway, if they don’t get past the Eagles, it’s down to 1-3 and the talk about lost seasons and coaching changes will start all over again.

Prediction: Last week I went on a whim and picked the Giants. I was right. This is going to be a close one, so I’ll go with the Giants again, 21-17.

Don’t stay up too late. Work tomorrow.

Ciao for now.