New York Giants vs Philadelphia Eagles Prediction & Preview
The Philadelphia Eagles will look to remain atop the NFC East when they visit the New York Giants on Sunday afternoon at MetLife Stadium. Philadelphia, which has dealt with a long injury list all season, is coming off a much-needed by week and sits at 3-4-1 overall. New York is now 2-7 overall after taking down the Washington Football Team 23-20 last Sunday, covering as a three-point underdog.
This will be the second meeting between the two teams this season, as the Eagles staged a wild comeback to topple the Giants 22-21 on Thursday Night Football back in Week 7. The Giants were able to cover as a five-point underdog, while the game narrowly went under the betting total of 44 points.
Eagles rest up during bye week
Prior to the week off, the Eagles took over sole possession of first place in the NFC East with a 23-9 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in one of the ugliest wins for any team this season. It was a struggle for Carson Wentz, who turned the ball over four times, but he found Travis Fulgham on a nine-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to give the Eagles a 15-9 lead, and Rodney McLeod's controversial 53-yard fumble return with five minutes to go sealed the win.
Facing Cowboys third-string quarterback Ben DiNucci, the Eagles allowed just 265 yards of total offense and recovered two fumbles. Philadelphia was actually outgained as it managed just 222 yards, although Fulgham continued his strong season with six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.
"We understand we have to get better. We know that, that's – myself included, we all have to – we are all towing the line in the same direction, and we have to get better there," head coach Doug Pederson said to the Eagles' official website. "But you look at the tape today, and there's some things – and I tell the guys all the time. We're not going to use the excuse anymore that these players are young, right?
The Eagles improved to 3-5 against the spread this season, covering as a 10.5-point favorite against Dallas with the late defensive touchdown. Four of Philadelphia's eight games have gone over the betting total, with the Dallas game going under the mark of 43 points.
Turnovers have been a major issue for Philadelphia's offense, which is averaging 23.2 points per game to rank 24th in the NFL, along with 330 yards per game on five yards per play. The Eagles are allowing 25.6 points per game to rank 18th in the league, with opponents racking up 341.4 yards per game on five yards per play.
Wentz is having the worst season of his five-year career, completing 178 of 305 passes for 1,883 yards, 12 touchdowns, and a league-leading 12 interceptions. Fulgham has stepped up nicely for a team that was desperate for help at wide receiver, catching 29 passes for 434 yards and four touchdowns. Defensive end Brandon Graham is having another monster year with seven sacks, nine tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles.
For the second straight year, Philadelphia has been one of the most injured teams on the NFL, and will still be missing tight end Zach Ertz this week due to an ankle injury. Right tackle Lane Johnson was limited in practice by a knee injury and is questionable. The Eagles should still get some reinforcements, as running back Miles Sanders is on track to return from a knee injury, along with defensive tackle Malik Jackson. Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery also practiced for the first time all year and should be ready to make his season debut after recovering from a calf injury.
Giants survive for second win
The Giants are now 2-0 against Washington and 0-7 against everyone else after beating the Football Team 23-20 on Sunday in Landover. New York built a 20-3 lead by halftime on a two-yard touchdown run by Wayne Gallman and a 16-yard pass from Daniel Jones to Evan Engram. Washington would fight back to within three with 10:23 left on Alex Smith's 68-yard touchdown pass to Terry McLaurin, but the Football Team's last two drives would end on interceptions by Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan.
Jones had one of his better games of the season, completing 23 of 34 passes for 212 yards, one touchdown and most importantly no turnovers in their win over Washington. The Giants were outgained 402-350 and couldn't do much in the second half, but five Washington turnovers made the difference.
"There are definitely some things we have to clean up and continue to improve on, but every week, there are things that we emphasize that I see turn around in a positive way," head coach Joe Judge said to the Giants' website. "Something that's been a major focus for us is two-minute, and we've been working very hard on the two-minute drives in practice. It's something that we had to really continue to improve on."
The Giants have fared considerably better against the spread with a mark of 6-3, and have covered in five of their last six games. Just three of New York's nine games have gone over the betting total, as the two teams fell half a point short of the mark of 43.5 last week.
New York ranks 31st in the NFL in scoring offense at 18.7 points per game and is averaging just under 300 yards per contest. The Giants have been considerably better on defense, ranking 13th in the league with 24.3 points per game allowed on 360 opponent yards per contest.
Jones' future as the starter in New York beyond this year is in doubt, as he's completed 191 of 306 passes for nine touchdowns and nine interceptions, and has also fumbled the ball seven times. Blake Martinez has proven to be a strong free-agent signing to lead a solid defense, racking up 54 solo tackles, two for loss, one sack and a forced fumble.
Wide receiver Golden Tate injured his knee during Thursday's practice, and his status is uncertain. He also missed the previous game due to disciplinary reasons. Top running back Devonta Freeman is out indefinitely due to an ankle injury. Sterling Shepard appears on the injury report with hip and toe ailments, although he has been able to play in each of the last three weeks.
Notable Trends
Trends via Covers.com. New York is:
- 5-0 ATS in its last five games as an underdog
- 12-3-1 ATS in its last 16 games vs. teams with a losing record
- 5-2 ATS in its last seven games against NFC East teams
Philadelphia is:
- 1-5 ATS in its last six games as a favorite
- 2-5 ATS in the last seven head to head meetings
