New York Giants rookie Odell Beckham Jr. is on fire, and heads to St. Louis Sunday to try and break 1,000 yards receiving against one of the better defenses in the league. Think the Rams can stop the red-hot Beckham? Read on as we give you everything you need to know in this intriguing NFC matchup.
Looking for other interesting interdivisional matchups? Check out our preview of Broncos vs. Bengals.
[sc:Football ]New York Giants vs. St. Louis Rams
Where: Edward Jones Dome, St. Louis
When: Sunday, December 21, 4:05 PM ET
Line: New York Giants (+4.5) at St. Louis Rams (-4.5); total: 44.0 – view all NFL Lines
Betting on the New York Giants
It’s been three weeks since “The Catch,” but Odell Beckham Jr. is still making impactful plays.
Beckham and quarterback Eli Manning connected on 12 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns in the Giants’ 24-13 win over the Washington Redskins. The wide receiver now has a team-high nine touchdowns and 972 yards receiving. The talented rookie has caught 273 yards and four touchdowns in his last two games.
[sc:NFL240banner ]However, all his highlight reel plays may have gotten the Rams’ attention. If St. Louis clamps down on the rookie with double coverage, then the passing lanes may open for wide receiver Rueben Randle (618 yards and two touchdowns) or tight end Larry Donnell (544 yards and six touchdowns). Donnell, in particular, is no stranger to the spotlight. He had his own big game in Week 4, hauling in three touchdowns in a 45-14 demolition of Washington.
It also helps the Giants’ talented receivers that Manning has toned down on the interceptions. The New York quarterback has thrown eight touchdowns against just two interceptions in the past four games.
On the other side of the ball, a strong pass rush may be what the Giants need to limit the Rams’ struggling passing game (208.3 yards per game, 26th in the league). Defensive linemen Jason Pierre-Paul (9.5 sacks) and Johnathan Hankins (seven sacks) are key contributors to the Giants’ blitz. New York has the fourth-most sacks in the league (41).
Meanwhile, cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie should be a solid presence in the New York secondary leading the team with 12 passes defended. Free safety Quintin Demps gives the threat of the takeaway with a team-high four interceptions to force caution on the Rams’ passing game.
The Giants are 6-0 ATS in their last six games against St. Louis.
Betting on the St. Louis Rams
The Rams’ streak of back-to-back shutout wins came to a halt as they fell to the Arizona Cardinals 12-6 on Thursday. The Rams’ defense was still tight, limiting Arizona offense to four field goals throughout the contest. The same could not be said of their offense as the Rams managed only two field goals of their own.
Quarterback Shaun Hill struggled against Arizona’s pass rush. He went 8-for-18 for 123 yards, took two sacks and threw an interception on those plays. Hill’s passing game may continue to be disrupted as New York has one of the best blitzes in the league.
St. Louis also failed to get going on the ground. Running back Tre Mason was repeatedly shut down, averaging 2.5 yards per carry. He also coughed up a fumble that Arizona turned into a field goal in the second quarter.
Nevertheless, going against the Giants may give Mason an opportunity for a big bounce-back game. New York has struggled to contain opposing running backs, giving up 4.9 yards per carry.
Mason has shown an ability to power past defenses with a 117-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Oakland Raiders in Week 13. He had another 100-yard game in Week 11, this time against Denver’s top-ranked rushing defense. Expect Mason to carry most of the Rams’ offense for this game.
Defensively, St. Louis has the necessary talent to slow down New York’s Odell Beckham Jr. The Rams may match up cornerback E.J. Gaines against the talented rookie to break up passes. Gaines has a team-high 14 passes defended. Meanwhile, defensive end Robert Quinn could exploit a vulnerable Giants offensive line to disrupt Eli Manning’s passes. Quinn leads the Rams’ blitz with 10.5 sacks.
The Rams are 4-1 ATS in their last five games.
Writer’s Prediction
The Rams’ offense can’t hang with the Giants. Take New York (+4.5) for the win and cover on the road. Create a betting account now and get your bankroll flowing as we approach the end of the NFL season.
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