NFL WEEK 8 – N.Y. Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles
With a rock-solid offensive line, a top-3 defense and a power running game, you’d figure that the Giants would be pretty much recession-proof. And starting the season with five wins only added to New York’s aura of invincibility. Losing to New Orleans by three touchdowns put a few dings in the driver’s side door, but those things happen –
LOOKING FOR THE BEST NFL CAPPERS ON THE INTERNET + WEEK 8 NFL PICKS? CLICK HERE —–>
Time: Sunday 1:05 ET
Venue: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
MoneyLine: Eagles -130 (-110) / Giants +100 (-115)
Spread: Eagles -2 (-110)
Over/Under: 44
especially on the road and especially against the Saints – but the home loss to Arizona last Sunday has raised lots of red flags and thrown cold water on what everyone figured would a cakewalk through the NFC on the way to another Super Bowl appearance.
The Giants have a bit of a problem offensively – teams are stacking the box to shut down Brandon Jacobs and Ahmad Bradshaw, forcing New York to pass to move the chains. Eli Manning has put the ball in the air 73 times over the last two games, and completed only 37 (barely 50 percent). Toss in three interceptions and a fumble, and it’s not exactly what Tom Coughlin had in mind.
The Giants defense doesn’t get a pass, though. Drew Brees and Kurt Warner torched the Giants defense for 5 TD passes in those two games, completing 43 of 66 passes. Even usually reliable punter Jeff Feagles had a tough game against Arizona, averaging only 34 yards a kick.
Philadelphia has its own issues. With the exception of wideout DeShaun Jackson, the Eagles’ offense has been in a two-week funk of its own. Philly was hardly dominant in Monday night’s 27-17 victory over Washington, and the rest of the league is still snickering about the Eagles’ unexplainable loss in Oakland the previous week.
But one thing the Eagles can do is bring the heat. Despite some uneven performances, Philly’s defense has produced 18 turnovers (tops in the league, along with New Orleans). To Eagle defenders, a Manning operating at less than 100 percent efficiency must look like a $30 lamb chop to a pack of wolves.
Offensively, it’s obvious that the Eagles have a lot to iron out if they want to make a serious run at the NFC East. Donovan McNabb has recovered well from his broken rib, but it looks like Philly will have to adjust to being without a 100-percent-healthy Brian Westbrook. Westbrook has aches and pains up and down his body, the latest a concussion suffered in the Washington game. LeSean McCoy is a nice addition, but he can’t do all the things that Westbrook has done.
And what’s the deal with Michael Vick? He’s been an absolute non-factor since he took the field, and even Andy Reid seems a bit perplexed about how to use his skills? Wildcat? Quarterback? Slot receiver? Who knows?
The Eagles do have a chance to scramble the division beyond recognition with a win, bringing the mighty Giants back to the pack and making it a three-horse race, assuming Dallas can hang.
It’s always fun in the NFC East.
Comment on this game below, hit us with your pregame NFL picks and predictions…
Grab yourself a 50% SIGN UP BONUS today at Sportsbook.com Sportsbook! (Plus you grab yourself a $25 Free Bet!!!) – CLICK HERE NOW!
Lawrence Paul is a regular contributor to the Cappers Picks Blog, and is a free-lance gambling and travel expert from Massachusetts.
One reply on “Week 8 NFL Spreads: Giants vs. Eagles”
Neither one of these teams have looked that good the last two games so that is where home field advantage should favor the Eagles. If they can get an early lead the crowd at the Linc should be able to push them to a victory.
It is games like this that the loss of Jim Johnson and Brian Dawkins could take their toll, but I would still take the Birds in a close one.