Posted on 10/19/2007 10:11:40 PM

NFL Betting San Francisco vs. New York

By Marc Reichertz

After a schizophrenic start to the season the New York Giants have settled into a groove winning their last four straight games. These wins may not have come against offensive juggernauts, but their defense is playing with a chip on its shoulder and has allowed just two touchdowns in the last fourteen quarters. Eli Manning is looking more at ease in the pocket and has thrown four touchdowns the last two games while the return of Brandon Jacobs has bolstered the running game.

The ‘Niners travel to the East Coast after three straight losses and a much needed bye – quarterback Alex Smith’s separated shoulder is healing well and he’ll dress for the game, but veteran Trent Dilfer will get his second start of the season. After making a splash in free agency this off-season, the new campaign has been a disappointment thus far as San Francisco’s offense has sputtered putting far too much pressure on a young, improving defense.

The Giants will deploy a balanced attack using the tandem of Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward on the ground to set up the play action for Manning. Running back Reuben Droughns should continue to receive a share of carries (last week he rushed for a team-leading 14 carries and 90 yards) while Jacobs and Ward continue to heal from ankle injuries. 49ers’ rookie linebacker Patrick Willis has been a tackling machine leading the team with 67 in five games, but the San Francisco defense spends far too much time on the field compensating for the offense’s lack of continuity on the other side of the ball.

A gimpy ankle and zero practice time hasn’t slowed down Plaxico Burress who is tied with Randy Moss for the league lead with eight touchdowns while leading the Giants with 30 catches for 507 yards. Nate Clements is a talented corner but he’ll have his hands full sizing up with Buress who has caught a touchdown every game this season. The Giants depth at receiver with Amani Toomer, Sinorice Moss and the possible return of rookie Steve Smith will pose problems for San Francisco’s secondary. Throw tight end Jeremy Shockey into the mix and things get even tougher for San Fran.

Much of the outcome of Sunday’s tilt depends on any progress made by veteran Trent Dilfer. It’s always hard to adjust to game speed but unless the 14-year veteran has made positive strides it will be another futile day for the San Francisco offense. He has completed 43% of his passes while his weak 43.3 passer rating punctuated by three interceptions versus a single touchdown will not get the job done. Last Week the ‘Niners managed only one first down and 38 total yards at halftime against Baltimore before finishing with a season-low 163 yards. A positive note is the return of tight end Vernon Davis who provides Dilfer with a reliable target and safety valve. The 49ers have seven receivers on their roster but none has gone any distance toward distinguishing themselves as a legitimate threat. This week, Head Coach Mike Nolan will use speedy veteran Ashley Lelie for the first time this season hoping to give the offense a boost. Darrell Jackson has not found the end zone yet this season after signing as a free agent.

Like most defenses of late, the Giants will focus their energy on containing running back Frank Gore who is struggling to find any daylight against loaded defensive fronts. He is averaging a frustrating 3.3 yards a carry and has failed to register a 100-yard rushing effort. Giants’ leading tackler, middle linebacker Antonio Pierce, will zero in on stopping Gore in his tracks.

Even while generously giving Trent Dilfer the benefit of the doubt that he’ll play better this week, the 49ers offensive line will have loads of trouble against the sack-happy Giants. They added four more against the Falcons last week to boost their league-leading total to 21. Left tackle Jonas Jennings will match up against speed rushing force Osi Umenyiora (who leads the league with seven sacks) while rookie Joe Staley will go up against 15-year veteran Michael Strahan.

The Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorites of 3 ½-10 points. A bye week and Trent Dilfer won’t come close to fixing the 49ers offensive woes.

NFL BETTING FREE PICK: GIANTS AT -9

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