New York Giants (3-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (4-1 SU, 3-2 ATS)
NFL Week 6
Date and Time: October 12 8:30pm ET
Where: Lincoln Financial Field
TV: NBC
by Evergreen, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: NYG +2.5/PHI -2.5
Over/Under Total: 50
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Divison games are often the best games on the weekly NFL schedule and Sunday Night Football tees up another edition of Giants v. Eagles as New York hops to Philly for an NFC East clash. The Eagles sit atop the East but he Giants are riding a three game win streak and could very well be leading the division at weeks end if they can make it four in a row.
The online betting sites stamped Philly as 2.5 point favorites and that line hasnt budged through the early betting. These teams are very close in the Sagarin ratings with the Eagles at 13th and the Giants just three spots back. The over/under total for the game is set at 50 and the under has come through the last four times this game has been in Philadelphia. The road team is 5-1-1 against the spread in the last seven in this series.
This just in, Eli Mannig is a real, live NFL quarterback again. After two losses to open the season, Manning has played superbly in wins over Houston, Washington and Atlanta. He has spread the ball around to Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle and TE Larry Donnell has emerged as a stellar redzone target, leading the G-men with four receiving touchdowns. Andre Williams will be replacing Rashad Jennings, who went down with an MCL sprain. Williams isnt the pass catcher that Jennings is but he has run well the last two weeks, finding the endzone in both contests. Odell Beckham made a nice four catch, 44 yard debut last week and found the endzone as well, so it looks like Manning should have every chance to meet or improve on the Giants 26.6 PPG average.
The Eagles are right where many people thought they would be at 4-1 but the two best players for Philly so far might be named Smoke and Mirrors. The Eagles struggled out of the gate with the pitiful Jaguars in week 1, fought back to win by three against Indy and Washington and snuck by a lesser Rams team by six last week. Already this year, Philly has three defensive touchdowns, a punt return TD and a kickoff return TD. Who knows what their record would be if the special teams and defense wasnt regularly putting up points? Foles has been fine in his second year, throwing for 1,380 yards and eight scores but the run game behind LeSean McCoy is mostly a dud. The Eagles have had injury issues on the offensive line but not being able to get anything going with McCoy and Darren Sproles is eye brow raising. Jeremy Maclin has proven to be a stud and leads the team in catches (25) yards (429) and touchdowns. (4)
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On the injury front, the Eagles look like they could be without LBs DeMeco Ryans and Mychal Kendricks. That is bad news for a defense that is already giving up over 400 yards of total offense and the fourth most passing yards. The Giants list DB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and LB Jon Beason as questionable and they would like Cromartie especially to help continue the trend that seen them pick off eight passes already.
These teams split last year, each winning in the others stadium. The games were both contested in October but couldnt have been more different as the Giants ground a 15-7 win in the first game with the Eagles winning 36-21 in the rematch. My thought is that we get more of the lower scoring game again as both offenses are good but flawed and so much opponent familiarity usually tends to hold scores down.
The Eagles have done so much damage on defense and special teams that one can only think there is some statistical correction coming in that department. Manning hasnt been giving up the ball during the winning streak and has enough weapons now to not have to force anything. New York is 4-1 against the spread in the last five division games with Philly the converse at 1-4 ATS against the NFC East. The G-men are unspectacular on defense but have managed to allow the 10th fewest rushing yards per game so I dont see McCoy breaking out of his funk just yet. Im tempted to take the Giants on the money line and probably will given how well they have played of late but I certainly like them getting the two and a half. NYG 26 Philadelphia 24
Evergreen’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: NEW YORK