New York Giants (5-2) at Philadelphia Eagles (4-2)
Wouldn’t it be nice to live in Philadelphia on Sunday? You could take in a big NFC East clash between the Giants and Eagles, and then head to Citizens Bank Park to watch Game 3 of the World Series between the Yankees and Phillies.
As for the NFL game, the Giants are, somewhat surprisingly, 1-point road favorites on WagerWeb.com.
If you believe in the short week theory, then New York certainly has the advantage with Philly having played, and beaten, Washington on Monday night. But New York enters off a home loss to Arizona on Sunday night. Both games were all about turnovers. Philly forced four Redskins turnovers in its win, while Eli Manning threw three picks in the Giants’ loss. Manning has completed just 48.5 percent of his passes with two touchdowns and four interceptions in the past two games (both losses).
What has happened to New York’s pass rush, which at one point was considered arguably the best in the NFL? Two weeks ago, New York didn’t sack Drew Brees once in that loss, and last week it got Kurt Warner, who’s not exactly mobile, just twice. If the Giants don’t get pressure on Donovan McNabb, they could be in for a long day. However, McNabb has been sacked nine times the last two weeks. The Giants have the NFL’s top-ranked defense and are looking for payback after the Eagles won both meetings – in the regular season and the divisional playoff – at the Meadowlands last season.
New York might catch a break in that Eagles RB Brian Westbrook is questionable after suffering a concussion on Monday night. Some of Westbrook’s best performances have come against the Giants. As recently as last December, he ran for 131 yards and a touchdown on 33 carries and caught six passes for 72 yards and a score against New York. Westbrook hasn’t practiced all week and probably will be a game-time decision. LeSean McCoy would start if Westbrook can’t go.
Eagles tackle Winston Justice is set to start against the Giants for first time since Sept. 30, 2007. That day, New York set NFL record with 12 sacks, six by Osi Umenyiora, who was lined up against Justice.
The Giants have allowed 10 rushing touchdowns in 2009 (tied for second-most in the league) and have given up 20 TDs on the ground in their last 13 regular-season contests overall — most of any team in the league since Thanksgiving weekend in 2008.
NEW YORK GIANTS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES — GIANTS: OUT: LB Michael Boley (knee), DT Chris Canty (calf), CB Aaron Ross (hamstring). QUESTIONABLE: WR Mario Manningham (shoulder). PROBABLE: RB Ahmad Bradshaw (ankle, foot), T Kareem McKenzie (groin), LB Antonio Pierce (ankle). EAGLES: OUT: DE Victor Abiamiri (knee), WR Kevin Curtis (knee), CB Dimitri Patterson (quadricep, hand). QUESTIONABLE: CB Macho Harris (ankle), RB Brian Westbrook (concussion, knee). PROBABLE: C Nick Cole (knee), G Todd Herremans (foot), DE Darren Howard (ankle, calf), WR DeSean Jackson (foot), G Max Jean-Gilles (shoulder), WR Jeremy Maclin (foot), T Jason Peters (ankle, knee), P Sav Rocca (back).
Bet on the NFL at WagerWeb.com
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
