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When I bought my car, the fuel cap was missing. I'm not sure when the last time the fuel filter was replaced.

So maybe change the filter...
I purchased a new one. Changing it Sounds simple,
Relieve the fuel system pressure, remove the old filter put in the new one.

But now I'm looking at it. How the heck am I gonna reach that thing? Any advice?

Remove intake and battery and battery tray... V6 is easier than I4.

Follow up -

Wow that's a tight space.

Take the rear seat out.
Unclip the connector to the fuel pump.
Start the engine, run it, and it will stall.
take the battery out,
remove the shelf that holds the battery (4x10 MM bolts)
This is where things get tight.

The fuel filter has mushroomed fitting to prevent the hose from slipping - along with some clips that will hold the rubber fuel line over the mushroomed tubes running out of both ends of the filter. I simply could not get the rubber off. I cut an inch of the rubber tube on both sides of the old filter, probably not a good idea. But that stuff, was just not coming off! Replace the clips over the fuel line where just past the bulge of the line covering the mushroom bulge. Bolt in that filter.

put the car back together.
pressurize the fuel system? grnd + ? Should have done this, didn't.
connected the power cable to the fuel pump.
cranked - engine starts. Revs to 2000 rpm for a bit and drops back to it's ordinarily terrible idle.

are you trying to figure out why your idle is bad? thats what it sounds like.

fyi if you twist the rubber hose with a pair of pliers rotating it then it will free up for you if its stuck, and if its really on there hot oil will soften it up for you. I also pinched off the fuel line once I bled the pressure off to prevent excess fuel spill.

Just one suggestion: if you suspect dirt may have gotten into your gas tank, I'd recommend you replace the fuel pump strainer too. For that, you need to take the fuel pump off (it's under the rear seat).
Draining and cleaning your gas tank would be a good idea too...