Big Blue hopes they are not seeing red when DeSean Jackson touches the ball on Sunday.

The Eagles – from head coach Andy Reid to his players – were asked all week about what they expected from the Giants when the whistle blows to start the first game between the two teams game since the Birds epic comeback win at the New Meadowlands on December 19, 2010.

In case you have been living in Neo’s pod for a few years, the Eagles scored 28 points in the final 8:17 to erase a 31-10 lead and escape with a 38-31 win and the NFC East title.

When Reid was asked about the rivalry and how it would be affected by last year’s win that appears to have motivated several Giants into some second-tier trash talking, Big Red clicked on his house tape to describe this Sunday’s Eagles-Giants game (1:00 p.m. FOX).

“That’s the way it’s been since I’ve been here,” Reid said at his weekly press conference. “The NFC East, there are some great rivalries there. That’s what this thing’s all about, this type of a game, the guys love it, and I think both teams do. They’ve got friendships with the proximity of the teams being so close together, but when it’s time to play on Sunday it’s time to play. It’s always a great atmosphere.”

Right.

Make no mistake, the Eagles know the Giants will be out for blood. Like everyone else with a TV set, they have seen DeSean Jackson’s classic 65-yard walk-off punt return – the first in NFL history.

No need for the home team to add salt to the wounds just a few days before the game. But some Eagles did say that in football the right offensive play calling can make a defense pay a high price for being too emotional.

“You can always make teams pay for it when there are over aggressive,” rookie center Jason Kelce said. “I don’t know much about the rivalry – the Giants and the Eagles right now – I haven’t played in a game yet. The older guys are all telling me that it’s a pretty emotional game. And they’re pretty fired up from last year’s loss. We’ve gotten after them a couple times now. We’re expecting their best and we’re expecting them to come out hungry for a win.”

The Giants just want to make the Eagles pay.

Last December’s defeat devastated the Giants and lingers still in their psyches. Rarely in the pro sports are there rivalries that mirror high school and college feuds.

Giants-Eagles is one of those rivalries.

Philadelphia fans may dislike the Cowboys more than any team, but for the players on the Eagles and Giants rosters…the guys they want to beat the most is each other.

“Last year will linger with me until I die,” said Giants defensive lineman Justin Tuck.

Those memories of the most recent Eagles’ Meadowlands miracle. Over the years there was Herman Edwards fumble return – voted worst moment in Giants history by the fans.

Remember also Brian Westbrook’s punt return? Randall Cunningham’s 91-yard punt? Clyde Simmons’ TD?
While the Giants may have three Super Bowl titles, the Eagles have been their humiliating torturer – Over the years the Eagles have been Lucy holding the football and the Giants have played the role of Charlie Brown perfectly.

Is this Sunday another setup?

The Giants want Mike Vick to play. After clearing all the hurdles the NFL puts up after a player suffers a concussion as Vick did last week in Atlanta, Big Blue looks like they will get their wish.

“It would be good for this team [if Vick played],” said Giants linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka. “We could get some redemption.”

Or they could end up lying on their backs looking up at the Philadelphia Sky.