New York Giants (0-2 SU, 0-2 ATS) vs. Philadelphia Eagles ( SU, 1-1 ATS)
NFL Week 3
Date/Time: Sunday, September 24th, 1:00pm EST
Where: Lincoln Financial Field
TV:FOX
by Bob, NFL Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: NYG +6 / PHI -6
Over/Under Total: 42
This Sunday, the 1-1 Philadelphia Eagles will play host to the 0-2 New York Giants in an NFC East showdown. Both teams came into 2017 with high expectations. The Giants planned to build off of a playoff appearance in 2016 while the Eagles just hoped to improve and become a factor in the NFC wild card race. The Eagles are 1-1, about where we expected while the New York Giants have looked like one of the worst teams in the NFL so far.
The Eagles come into this game as six point favorites at home over the Giants. The total points are set at 42 combined. This line is at six now, but just a day or so ago, most bookmakers opened it at a three point spread. The early action was heavy on the Eagles after the putrid performance by the Giants on Monday night which caused this line to shift. Even though the line has moved and it is giving New York more points, the majority of bettors are still on the Eagles. As of Wednesday morning, 67% of the action was on the Eagles and as for the over/under, 54% likes this game to actually go over the points, even though the Giants have not looked like they could score on a high school team.
As we know, the Giants and Eagles are huge inner division rivals and they face off twice a year in the NFC East. Head to head, the Eagles have won six of the last eight games between these two teams. In every win that the Eagles were favored, they covered. They did not lose a game in which they were a fave. This will be a very interesting game not only for these two teams, but the entire NFC Eastern Division. With the exception of the Giants who are winless, the rest of the division (Cowboys, Eagles, Redskins) are all 1-1. A win by New York would put them right back into the heat of the division early on. Another loss would almost seal their fate as teams that start 0-3 do not usually make a post season appearance.
The Giants have looked bad…real bad. Eli Manning is getting hammered by defenses due to a bad offensive line. Not only that, Odell Beckham Jr has not been full strength, and Brandon Marshall has as many touchdowns as I do. This offense is horrible and there just is not any other way to put it. The defense for the Giants, well in my opinion, the jury is out. I believe with the exception of a couple of pieces, that the New York defense is not that bad. Against the Lions, they got to Stafford and pressured him, they just could not finish the job in a few cases. I also feel if the offense would stop going three and out 70% of the time, that the defense would be more rested and perform better. This Sunday in Philly, that is the key. Eli and the Giants offense need to establish some sort of run game and keep drives alive. Even if they are 10 play field goal drives, anything to give your defense a break and put some points on the board. If the Giants do not improve from last week, this will not be a close game even by the third quarter.
Philadelphia comes into this game at 1-1 and overall have looked pretty good. They got a convincing 30-17 win over the Redskins in week one then in week two played a very good Chiefs team tough on their way to a narrow 27-20 loss. I have been saying since last season that the Dallas Cowboys are a fraud and I truly think if the Eagles can steal a few of these division games, they could very well compete for the title with Washington and Dallas. This offense has looked pretty good and according to their coaching staff can only get better. Second year QB, Carson Wentz has averaged almost 300 yards a game in his first two outtings this season while throwing four touchdowns and two interceptions. The Eagles chances though of being any factor will depend on the run game. One dimensional offenses do not typically win down the stretch and the run game so far has not looked good. After two games, Wentz is the teams leading rusher with 61 total yards on the ground. This cannot continue, even against the Giants. This weekend, the Eagles need to establish a balanced run/pass game to keep a somewhat decent Giants defense on their toes. Philly wants this game for them to reach the mid 20s…if that is the case, I do not think the Giants have the ability to keep up with them.
As bad as the Giants looked in weeks one and two, these NFC East games are always crazy. Where I do not think the Eagles lose this game…or at least they shouldn’t… I do think they let New York stick around long enough to make this interesting. I think the Eagles will get the win but we are going to be looking at a 20-16 type finish, meaning that the Giants will cover the six points.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TAKE THE NEW YORK GIANTS PLUS THE POINTS. – Bet this game for FREE by taking advantage of a 50% bonus up to $250 at one of the web’s oldest and most trusted betting sites: BOVADA
