December 16, 2017
The Eagles are 11-2. The Giants are 2-11. This should be an easy one, right?
Well, it's not quite that simple, but here are five numbers to keep an eye on that could play an important role in Sunday's game between these two NFC East rivals that are seemingly headed in different directions.
That's the current total being offered over at Bovada, and if it seems low, that's because it is. Eleven of the Eagles' 13 games this season have totaled 41 or more points and, don't forget, they still lead the NFL in scoring. The Giants, on the other hand, are among the worst in the league in scoring defense. So what gives?
Well, for one thing, the Eagles will be without Carson Wentz on Sunday, and based on the Vegas oddsmakers, they might struggle to put up some points. They're still a 7.5-point favorite against the Giants, but that has more to do with their defense than anything else. It's also probably part of the reason that total points number is so low.
And guess what? It's not wrong. It only looks that way because of what we've become accustomed to with Wentz.
UNDER.
You can pretty much bank on the Birds defense getting two sacks every game. But when the Eagles feast, as they did in Dallas a few weeks back, they feast. They could do themselves a big favor by pinning their ears back and getting after Eli Manning on Sunday, something they failed to do the first time these two teams matched up. They were still able to force a pair of interceptions in that game, but you have to think that if Manning had seen a bit more pressure, the Eagles wouldn't have needed to rely on a 61-yard field goal from Jake Elliott to give them the W.
If Manning has another 350-plus-yard day through the air, it could be tough to escape MetLife with a win.
OVER.
On the flip side, the Eagles MUST protect a less-mobile Nick Foles, something that becomes much more difficult if Chance Warmack gets the start at left guard.
OVER.
The Giants aren't a good team, and Foles is certainly good enough to beat them. That being said, the Eagles would be wise to lean on their stable of running backs in this one. It was back in Week 3 against the Giants that their ground game found its legs for the first time this season, and since, they ran for at least 100 yards in every game but one (98 yards vs. Seahawks).
The Giants are 31st in the league in both rushing and passing yards allowed, so the Eagles will have no shortage of ways to attack them. But the safest way, especially in Foles' first game as the starter, is on the ground. Given enough opportunities, they shouldn't have any trouble hitting the over.
OVER.
At least it won't hurt as badly if the Eagles are winning.
OVER.
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