Seattle Seahawks (11-2 SU, 9-4 ATS) vs. New York Giants (5-8 SU, 5-8 ATS)
NFL Week 15
Date and Time: December 15. 1:00 p.m. EST.
Where: MetLife Stadium
TV: FOX
by Wilson, Pro Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: Sea -7/NYG +7
Over/Under Total: 42.5
The New York Giants are out! Yes, the once hopeful comeback came to an end last weekend in San Diego at the tails of the Chargers. Eli Manning, who was booed all day by still bitter Charger fans because his daddy asked the Chargers not to draft his son in 2004, threw two INTs and was hurried all day. The Giants may be out of the playoff picture but they can still try to upset the NFL’s top team, the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle hits the road again this week crossing the United States via San Francisco to New York after suffering just their second loss on the season which snapped a seven-game win streak. The Seahawks are looking for a win and a San Francisco loss to clinch the NFC West Division Title, but either way, the road to the Super Bowl will run through CenturyLink Field in Seattle.
The Seahawks finally fell to their rival the 49ers in a game where the Hawk’s defense pretty much shut down San Fran QB Colin Kaepernick and gave up one crucial run by Niner’s RB Frank Gore which setup the game winning score. Seattle players showed no love for the Niners after the game by suggesting they beat themselves and were victims of some poor officiating. Arguably, the Hawks have a valid point but it still doesn’t change the fact they lost to a pretty good football team in San Fran.
Despite the 5-8 record of the New York Giants this weekend’s contest might be a decent matchup between two solid QBs. We all know what Manning can do but his receivers have been less than stellar lately. The Giant’s receivers have had difficulty running routes and holding on to the pigskin-they have dropped a lot of catchable passes. Meanwhile Seattle’s QB, Russell Wilson has been remarkable outside of last week’s setback in the Bay area. Wilson has a QB rating usually of like a million.7 and he continues to impress sportswriters and analyst, and well, everyone who watches the NFL with his poise and ability to make plays for his team. Wilson enters Sunday’s matchup with over 2800 yards passing and 23 TDs. Manning has struggled to connect consistently with his receivers and that will add to the Giant’s woes especially with Seattle’s top ranked defense patrolling the field. The Seahawks have a great team atmosphere and last week’s loss will not discourage them or effect their level of play-it will make them even stronger-just in time to make a deep playoff surge and possibly return to the Super Bowl Game.
Sports books are giving the Giants +7 at their own house. The Seahawks have all the tools to expose New York’s so-so defense and they will once again count on the hard-nose running of RB Marshawn Lynch and the decision making of Russell Wilson. The Giants will have to address both the run and pass as Seattle does a great job of balancing the two approaches. Based on New York’s lack of D last week against the Chargers (they allowed 37 points) it might be even more this week if the Hawks are on their “A” game.
New York’s season has been awful and it will only get worse when the Seattle Seahawks roll into town and put a lot of points on the board even in the potential nasty weather; the Hawks are used to it in the Pacific Northwest. Seattle gets back on track this week and proves why they are the best team in the NFL. Seattle’s D holds together even with backups on the field they are deeper than most teams and do not seem to miss a beat. Coach Pete Carroll keeps his team rolling in the right direction with a win, but who will cover is anybody’s guess.
Wilson’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: There is very little wagering value here. I’m not betting this game and recommend that you don’t either. This game IS the Giants Super Bowl. I fully expect them to bring their best effort and not be embarrassed. I wouldn’t be surprised if the final margin landed right on the number.