Storylines to follow in season finale vs. Eagles

Nabers looking to make history

Wide receiver Malik Nabers has already made some history this season, as he and running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. became just the third rookie duo in NFL history, and only the second since the 1970 merger, to each have 1,000 yards from scrimmage. Not only that, but Nabers and Tracy also rank third and fourth, respectively, among all rookies in Giants history, trailing only Saquon Barkley (2,028 in 2018) and Beckham (1,340 in 2014).

With only one game remaining, Nabers has the chance to make even more history on Sunday, both in terms of franchise and NFL records. With his seven receptions against the Colts, the 21-year-old is up to 104 receptions on the season. This is the second-highest total in Giants history and only three shy of Steve Smith, who had 107 in 2009, for the all-time franchise record. Nabers already set the Giants rookie record a few weeks ago when he topped Odell Beckham Jr. and Saquon Barkley’s mark of 91 receptions.

Heading into the regular-season finale, Nabers also sits four receptions shy of the new NFL rookie record, which Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers currently owns with 108. The 21-year-old receiver is tied with Miami’s Jaylen Waddle for the third-highest rookie receptions total in history, and is only one catch behind Los Angeles’ Puka Nacua for the second-most. The first-year wideout can set a new rookie record against the Eagles this Sunday, but will start the day four catches behind Bowers, who has played in two more games than Nabers.

Nabers also heads into Week 18 ranking fourth in the NFL in receptions with 104, tied with Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride, while his 1,140 receiving yards rank eighth.

Burns’ strong season continues

Despite dealing with various injuries for most of the year, outside linebacker Brian Burns has started every single game and has continued to perform at a high level, even after the Giants were eliminated from playoff contention.

Burns recorded six tackles (four solo) in Sunday’s win over the Colts, including a season-high three tackles for loss. He also added a quarterback hit and finished the game with six pressures on just 28 pass rushes (21.4 percent pressure rate), including four pressures in under 2.5 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats. He has now generated the ninth-most pressures (63) and the fifth-most quick pressures (31) in the league this season.

Over the last four games, the veteran edge rusher has registered at least one tackle for loss every week, with a total of seven during that span while also adding two sacks, four quarterback hits and a forced fumble. Going back to Week 12 when fellow outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux returned from injured reserve, Burns has totaled 21 pressures while Thibodeaux has 20. They are one of just four sets of teammates with 20+ pressures during that stretch, and the only such duo who have each forced a turnover on their pressures.