Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants, New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Sunday, December 19, 2010, 1:00 pm EST, TV: FOX
Opening Line: Giants -3
Current Line: Giants -3
Opening Total: 46
Current Total: 46
Money Line: Giants -155 / Eagles +135
The winner of Sunday’s NFC East showdown between the New York Giants (9-4) and Philadelphia Eagles (9-4) will likely go on to win the division, but both teams figure to play a big role in determining the playoff race down the stretch. The Giants (-3) need to beat the Eagles to split the season series and even their record with Philly in the division at 3-2. A loss for New York would give Philadelphia a two-game lead in the division and one-game lead overall.
The Giants are riding a three-game winning streak, with their running game dominating in the last two. They have outscored their last two opponents by a 52-10 margin, totaling 275 more rushing yards during that stretch. Running backs Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw have averaged at least 100 yards apiece in the last two games, helping take some pressure off quarterback Eli Manning and overcoming key injuries to their receiving corps.
Wide receivers Hakeem Nicks and Steve Smith both returned to action in a 21-3 win over Minnesota last Monday night, but Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury. Nicks had seven catches for 96 yards against the Vikings and played for the first time since Week 11 against the Eagles. He had six catches for 65 yards in the last meeting but left the game with a leg injury.
Philadelphia wide receiver DeSean Jackson is battling a sprained left foot but hopes to play after totaling a career-high 210 yards on four catches in a 30-27 win over Dallas last Sunday night. Jackson was held in check in the last meeting with New York, making five catches for 50 yards.
The difference maker in the last game against the Giants was Philly running back LeSean McCoy, who busted loose for a 50-yard touchdown run after New York rallied back from a 16-3 deficit to take a brief 17-16 lead. The Eagles ended up winning that game 27-17 behind McCoy’s 111 yards on 14 carries, and he is coming off a career-high 149 yards against the Cowboys.
The Giants did a fairly good job defending Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick in the last meeting, giving them some confidence this time around. Vick completed 24 of 38 passes for 258 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions but did score on a 4-yard touchdown run for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. He was sacked three times for 14 yards and also lost a fumble.
The Eagles have won and covered the last five meetings with the UNDER going 3-2. In fact, Philly’s last eight games overall against teams other than New York all went OVER the total.
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