Can the New York Giants (1-5) turn around their season after picking up their first win of 2017? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean they won’t show up and play at MetLife Stadium when they host the Seattle Seahawks (3-2) Sunday.
The game is on your local CBS station, which is just weird, at 4:25 p.m. EST.
The Game: Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants (+4)
O/U: 39.5
The History
The Seahawks and Giants have met 17 times since 1976. New York holds a 9-8 advantage in the all time series.
Seattle has won their last three match ups with New York, beginning in October, 2011 until November, 2014. Only one of the games was close, a 36-25 Seahawks victory to begin the streak. Seattle won 23-0 in 2013 and 38-17 in 2014.
There has been just one overtime game in the series, with the Seahawks winning 24-21 on November 27, 2005. Matt Hasselbeck completed 21 of 37 passing for 249 yards, two touchdowns and a pick.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (3-2)
The Seahawks took control of the NFC West with a 16-10 victory over a mistake prone Los Angeles Rams two weeks ago. They couldn’t enjoy it from their couches as the Rams retook the lead in the division with a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. Now the Seahawks have to get a victory Sunday just to keep pace.
Against the improved Rams defense, quarterback Russell Wilson was 24 of 37 for 198 yards, one touchdown and one pick. The Seahawks wanted to get their running game going with the return of Thomas Rawls to the active roster. Instead, they floundered again, gaining just 62 yards as a team. Rawls had eight carries for 20 yards and Eddie Lacy had nine for 19.
Wilson spread the ball around when he had time, but there were no big plays for the Seattle offense as Wilson never has much time for anything downfield to develop in the pocket. Jimmy Graham and Doug Baldwin both led the receivers with just 37 yards. Graham caught six passes and one touchdown.
The defense did play well against the Rams, though it got some help. Todd Gurley fumbled as he was crossing the goal line for a touchback and Cooper Kupp dropped the winning touchdown pass. They did sack Jared Goff twice and got 6.5 stops in the backfield.
Seattle will be without Luke Joeckel, Cliff Avril and Jeremy Lane again. Joeckel is dealing with a knee, Avril a neck injury and Lane a groin. Earl Thomas didn’t practice all week, but he’ll play. He had some personal issue he had to take care of. He won’t miss the game.
NEW YORK GIANTS (1-5)
The Giants dominated the Broncos in a game they had no business competing in, let alone winning. Eli Manning completed 11 of 19 for 128 yards and a touchdown and that shouldn’t be enough to win a high school game. Orleans Darkwa did manage to put a running game together, rushing 21 times for 117 yards, but he never got into the end zone.
In spite of everyone in the stadium knowing he was the only legitimate receiving option Manning had, rookie tight end Evan Engram still caught five passes for 82 yards and a touchdown.
The defense sacked Trevor Siemian four times, forced three turnovers and got five stops in the backfield. They’ll need a similar performance to stay on the field with Seattle.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie returns this week off a suspension for violating team rules. He immediately upgrades New York’s nickel packages. Olivier Vernon, Weston Richburg, Paul Perkins, Calvin Munson and Jonathan Casillas are all listed as out. Sterling Shepard is questionable, but should play after practicing all week. That gives Manning two NFL level passing targets.
The Pick
I will not be fooled by the freakish performance and results of the Giants game against the Broncos. Seattle is the better team even if both these squads aren’t at full strength. With Vernon out, New York won’t have as big an advantage in the pass rush. Seattle has made a habit of winning ugly this year. This one will be hideous. Seahawks 16, Giants 13
This week
Straight up: 0-1
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 5-9
Against the spread: 5-9
Season
Straight up: 48-43
Against the spread: 43-48
To make a wager on any sport, go to the world famous Diamond Sportsbook by clicking here.
