If you’re not enjoying what’s going on in the NFC East this season, then you don’t deserve to be a football fan.
As expected, the teams within the division are neck-and-neck in the standings, with the Philadelphia Eagles looking for their first win over a division rival this season to pull away from the 2-3 record logjam with the Cowboys and the Redskins. Meanwhile, the New York Giants want to keep their three-game winning streak alive to retain its division lead and break away from the rest of the group in the standings.
As such, let’s break down this utterly compelling matchup set to kickoff under the bright lights of Monday Night Football. And for more of Week 6’s intriguing divisional clashes, head on over to our previews for Houston vs. Jacksonville and Atlanta vs. New Orleans right after this.
[sc:Football ]
New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
When: Monday, October 19, 8:30 PM ET
Line: New York Giants (+3.5) at Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Game Preview
[sc:NFL240banner ]It took an 82-yard game-winning drive with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter for the New York Giants to prevail over the visiting San Francisco 49ers this Sunday night. And of course, it was quarterback Eli Manning who led the way and even broke a couple of records in the process for his team’s 30-27 win – New York’s third-straight victory this season.
Manning threw for a career- and team-best 41 completions on 54 attempts to finish with 441 yards and three touchdowns on Sunday. Furthermore, the win over San Francisco made the 12-year pro the Giants’ all-time winning quarterback at 102 games. He has now thrown at least two touchdown passes in each of the past four games (10 TDs to just two picks, to be exact) with his passer rating reaching over 105.0 in three of those four contests.
But as much as Manning’s latest heroics continue to be praised, the same cannot be said for the Giants’ supposedly imposing run defense. Prior to Sunday night’s contest, the Giants ranked second in the league allowing less than 75 rushing yards per game, until the Niners gashed them for 124 yards on the ground – with San Francisco running back Carlos Hyde accounting for 93 of those yards and a TD.
New York’s front seven best prepare for the soaring Philadelphia Eagles, whose three-headed hydra of a backfield in Murray/Mathews/Sproles combined for 183 yards and two rushing touchdowns on 33 carries in the 39-17 victory over the New Orleans Saints this past Sunday.
The Eagles’ offense has come to life for the past six quarters of play, with Sam Bradford slowly living up to his offseason hype. By throwing five of his eight touchdown passes for the season in that span. Although Bradford did also throw two picks in the game against the Saints, it was also the first time in his career where he threw a pair of picks in the first half of a contest and still managed to win in the end, showing that his composure in pressured situations is getting better by the game.
Philly’s D also did its part by containing Drew Brees and New Orleans’ high-flying offense. The team sacked Brees five times, picked him off once and lost two crucial fumbles this past Sunday, giving Philadelphia 13 takeaways for the season – second only to Denver’s 14 for the NFL’s best mark. Constantly breathing down Eli Manning’s neck next week will go a long way for the Eagles, as the Giants have yet to lose a fumble this 2015, and have only surrendered two picks to date as well.
Where to Watch
As always, Monday Night Football will be broadcasted live on ESPN.
But if you’re an exception to the 94 million paid households that have access to “The Worldwide Leader in Sports”, or if you simply prefer to get your fix of the NFL online or on the go, this sizzling game can be viewed via NFL Game Pass, which is available for all football fans around the world. Simply head on over here for more details on how to avail of their various season packages to view all your favorite games and teams in action.
Betting Trends on the New York Giants
The Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last four games on the road.
They are also 7-3 SU and 8-2 ATS for the past ten road games played in the month of October.
New York is just 2-3 in the last five games where it was an underdog, but went 4-1 ATS in that same span.
The total has gone over in seven of New York’s last 10 games away from East Rutherford.
However, the total has gone under in five of the last eight contests between New York and Philadelphia.
Betting Trends on the Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are 2-3 SU and ATS through their first five games of the season.
In relation, the total has gone under in all but one of the Eagles’ five games this year.
Philadelphia is 7-3 SU/ATS in its last ten meetings with New York.
The Eagles have won their last three homes games in October, but lost four-straight games prior to that stretch (SU and ATS for both instances).
The Eagles are just 2-4 both SU and ATS in the past six games as underdogs.
Hot Wager
With this Monday night’s brawl being one between two teams with explosive offenses and inconsistent defenses, expect the total definitely go over the line. Both New York and Philadelphia have each put up at least 23 points for the past three games. And with the added element of a division rivalry set to make and break the entire bout, expect a somehow sloppy yet fired up outing from both clubs’ offenses, both on the air and on the ground alike.
Writer’s Prediction
Philadelphia puts an end to New York’s winning streak, 33-28.
Create a betting account now to get in on all the intense divisional matchups and all of the other exciting weekly games in the NFL.
