Giants – Rams
Time: 3:05 CST
Spread: STL -6.5
Total: 43
Betting odds c/o Bookmaker
The Saint Louis Rams are looking to become the first team in 14 years to go four games in a row without allowing a TD, and the point total in the NFL live lines sits at 43, a reflection of Saint Louis’ strong defense. NFL oddsmakers also set the line 6.5 points in favor of the hosting Rams in NFL Betting, as the Rams will look to improve to 4-4 at home this season with a win.
Despite last week’s strong defensive effort, the Rams only managed to score six points themselves, falling to the Cardinals 12-6. The two weeks prior, however, the Rams had won by an average of 38 points while blanking both the Raiders and Redskins.
Doing anything of that nature to the Seattle Seahawks in the season closer is highly unlikely, but the Rams sit in last place of the NFC West, so moral victories have to be taken as they come. Still, the Rams have only been outscored 297-291 this season, which bodes well for a team trying to climb past mere mediocrity.
Shaun Hill threw 20-of-39 for 229 yards in last week’s loss, and the 13th year veteran has been fairly poor all season, posting a passer rating of 82.9 and completing under 60 percent of his passes.
Rookie Tre Mason rushed for 33 yards last week but it took him 13 carries for an average of just 2.5 yards per. Mason has had two 100-plus yard games this season, but overall he has lacked consistency. Other than his standout game against the Raiders on Nov 30, Mason has averaged less than four yards in all but the first three games of the season. He has kept his fumbles down with just two all year (one which was lost), and perhaps next season the former Auburn star can emerge as a more dangerous threat. He has not caught a pass since the game vs Oakland either.
Things are a lot less promising for the 5-9 New York Giants. The Giants have the third-worst rushing defense in the league, and on the other end of the ball the team is unable to generate much on the ground itself.
The Giants get under 100 yards per game rushing the football and only recently have got things together with consecutive victories over two other horrible teams (the Titans and Redskins). Prior to that, the Giants had lost seven straight, including a 25-24 L to the Jacksonville Jags on Nov. 30.
Odell Beckham caught three TD passes last week and the Giants had 238 passing yards in the win over the Redskins. Beckham struck early in the game on a 10 yards pass from Eli Manning and then he scored another TD pass late in the third and early in the fourth quarter, to put the Giants up 24-13 with 4:41 to go, while the team held on to win by the same tally.
Betting Trends:
NY Giants: The Giants are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 350 yards total in previous game. The Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 in December, and the UNDER is 5-0 in the Giants last 5 games in Dec.
STL: The Rams are 4-0 ATS vs teams with losing records. The Rams are 4-0 ATS in the last 4 following an SU loss. The UNDER is 5-0 in the Rams last 5 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
Head-to-head: Giants are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 meetings. The OVER is 3-1-1 in the last 5 meetings.
Injury Report:
NYG: Prob: J McClain
NYG, Out: R Jennings, J Williams, J Brewer, G Schwartz, T Manning, A Snyder, M Kiwanuka, R Ayers, J Beason, M Cox, P Hillis, P Amukamara, T McBride, V Cruz, W Thurmond, J Jernigan, T Kropog, C Taylor
STL, Q: M Roberson
STL, Out: L Joyner, B Quick, J Long, B McGee, S Bradford
