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New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles NFL Betting & Odds

Written by Jimmy Boyd

This game certainly looks to be one of the best matchups of the week with the defending Super Bowl champs invading a now healthy Eagles squad in a NFC East heavyweight bout. While the majority of the betting public does not seem to agree, odds makers have predicted that the 7-1 Giants will go down for the second time this season. They have listed the Eagles as 3-point favorites with the total set at 43.

One of two things will happen in this Sunday Night contests, the Giants will prove that they are clearly the class of the NFC or the Eagles will show that they are also a major force to be reckoned with. If the Giants can pull off a road win against a surging Eagles team this week, most fans will be penciling the Giants in as the favorites to get back to the Super Bowl. Many already consider New York to be the favorite as the defending champion and with the best record in the NFC, but those who look a little closer are likely still hesitant.

You could call New York’s first half schedule a bit soft. The eight teams they have faced have a combined record of just 27-40. Last week’s 35-14 win over the Cowboys didn’t seem to be enough of a statement as Dallas has been slumping without star QB Tony Romo. This is when things get a whole lot harder for the reigning world champs. Starting with this matchup against the NFC East rival Eagles, not one of the Giants’ final eight opponents currently has a sub-.500 record. A win this week would give the Giants a two-game division edge over the Redskins and a three-game advantage over Philly and Dallas.

Much of New York’s success can be attributed to a deadly pass rush, led by Defensive ends Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka. The duo has combined for 11 1/2 of the Giants’ NFC-leading 30 sacks. With Osi Umenyiora hurt and Michael Strahan retired, the Giants pass rush was supposed to struggles, but it has gotten even stronger. New York sweeped last season’s two meetings with the Eagles thanks to a killer pass rush which came up with 15 sacks in the two games.

Eli Manning and the Giants offense will face a tough task of their own this week against a Philly defense which has also been skilled at sacking the QB. This could be a bad time to be facing Philly’s barrage of blitzes as the passing game in struggling. Manning has a QB rating of 78.5 the last four weeks and has failed to throw for 200 yards during that stretch. With Plaxico Burress dealing with off-the-field issues and David Tyree placed on injured reserve, winning could be up to the running game this week. The Giants are leading the NFL with a 5.2 yards per carry average and rank second with a 162.6 yards per game mark. Punishing running back Brandon Jacobs is doing most of the damage. If you are ready to board the New York train this week, bet the Giants at +3 at BetUS.

The Eagles pass rush has been nearly as potent as New York’s, ranking second in the NFC with 27 sacks. You can bet that the Eagles will be coming after Eli Manning all day long after pressure rattled him last week. The Super Bowl MVP was sacked four times, lost two fumbles, had an interception, and threw for a season-low 147 yards against the Cowboys last Sunday. The Eagles will likely make Manning beat them through the air as they are very stingy against the run, only allowing two opponents to rush for more than 90 yards.

Philly’s offense is looking much better now that Brian Westbrook is back in action and the team is ready for him to continue his tear against the G-Men. He’s rushed for 354 yards and three TDs in his last three games versus New York. However, QB Donovan McNabb has not had the same kind of success versus the Giants. He’s been defeated by them three straight times.

McNabb has led the Eagles on a three-game winning streak and is coming off a great performance, throwing for 349 yards and two touchdowns on 28 of 43 passing in last Sunday’s win over Seattle. If you’re ready for Philly to shake things up in the NFC East, bet the Eagles at -3 this Sunday.

Editor’s Note: Jimmy Boyd has his 4* Major Sunday Night Football Game of the Month going on this big matchup in this week’s NFL picks package. If you’re looking for an edge over your bookmaker, make sure you’re playing who Jimmy is playing this week.

Bet on the NFL each week after checking out the football lines via our live odds pages.

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