The New York Giants are two games back of the Dallas Cowboys for top spot in the NFC with two games left on their regular season schedule. It might be too late to catch Dallas but the Giants are focused on building on their momentum heading in to the playoffs with another win over a division rival in the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday Night Football.
Moneyline: Giants -170
Handicap/Spread Odds: Giants -3
Total O/U: 42
Last 5 Meetings: (Road/Home – Spread/Total)
| 11/06/16 | PHI 23 – NYG 28 | NYG -3 | O 42.5 |
| 01/03/16 | PHI 35 – NYG 30 | PHI 3.5 | O 51 |
| 10/19/15 | NYG 7 – PHI 27 | PHI -3.5 | U 50.5 |
| 12/28/14 | PHI 34 – NYG 26 | PHI -1 | O 51.5 |
| 10/12/14 | NYG 0 – PHI 27 | PHI -1 | U 50.5 |
On The Giants Side of the Ball (10-4 Record, 8-5-1 ATS)
Eli Manning completed 22-of-36 passes for 257 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions in a 28-23 win in the first meeting between these teams. Manning’s performance has been among the biggest reasons why the Giants have reached 10 wins for the first time in six years. Odell Beckham Jr. has been a big part of New York’s success on offense and he had four catches for 46 yards and two touchdowns in the first meeting. The Giants need more from their rushing attack and other receivers, but right now the Manning-Beckham connection is one of the best in the NFL.
Meanwhile, the New York defense has held each of its last two opponents to single-digit point totals, allowing an average of 6.5 points per game in wins over the Cowboys and Detroit Lions. This unit doesn’t get the same type of attention that the Seattle Seahawks or Denver Broncos receives, but they’ve been nearly as good. Keep an eye on the status of top cornerback Janoris Jenkins, who left last week’s game with an injury. Although the team doesn’t believe the injury to be serious, he could be out for this week’s contest given that it’s such a short week.
Last 5 Results:
| 12/18/16 | DET | W 17-6 | W -4 | U 42.5 |
| 12/11/16 | DAL | W 10-7 | W 3.5 | U 47 |
| 12/04/16 | @PIT | L 14-24 | L 6.5 | U 49.5 |
| 11/27/16 | @CLE | W 27-13 | W -6.5 | U 46.5 |
| 11/20/16 | CHI | W 22-16 | L -7 | U 41.5 |
On The Eagles Side of the Ball (5-9 Record, 6-8 ATS)
Philadelphia has followed a 5-4 start with five straight losses to fall to 5-9 on the season. The Eagles gave the Baltimore Ravens all they could handle last week but ultimately fell 27-26 on the road. Rookie quarterback Carson Wentz has had his highs and lows this season and last week he completed just 22-of-42 pass attempts for 170 yards and an interception with one sack. Consistency will be the key for the young passer moving forward but a lack of experience and a severe lack of weapons have limited his progression this season. Meanwhile, the Eagles defense has allowed 26 points or more in each of their last five losses after giving up 26 points only three times in their first nine games. Their secondary has crumbled, which was specifically pointed out by defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz earlier this week. We’ll see if calling them out will help but they’ll be in tough against a very good group of receivers this Thursday.
Last 5 Results:
| 12/18/16 | @BAL | L 26-27 | W 5 | O 41 |
| 12/11/16 | WAS | L 22-27 | L 2 | O 48.5 |
| 12/04/16 | @CIN | L 14-32 | L 2 | O 42 |
| 11/28/16 | GB | L 13-27 | L -4 | U 47 |
| 11/20/16 | @SEA | L 15-26 | L 6.5 | U 42.5 |
Quick Analysis
Philadelphia is 6-8 against the spread but that includes a 4-2 mark at home competed to a 2-6 mark on the road. Meanwhile, the Giants are 3-3 on the road this season and 2-2-2 against the spread so the sportsbooks have had a pretty good handle on what to expect from them. New York is only a three-point favorite on the road in this matchup after beating the Eagles by five in their first meeting at home.
Prediction
Philadelphia has enough talent to keep this game close for a while but will they be able to keep up with New York in the fourth quarter? The Giants defense has been absolutely dominant over the last two weeks against some pretty formidable offensive attacks and if they carry over that effort to this week against the Eagles then they should be able to win and cover on the road.
Pick: Giants -3
Note: Lines subject to change leading up to kick-off, so please be aware of the possibility of line movements.
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