NFL Sports Betting - New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles

First place in the NFC East will be on the line on the first day of November in the City of Brotherly Love. The New York Giants (5-2, 4-2-1 ATS) will look to recover from back-to-back losses against their arch-rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles (4-2, 4-2 ATS). The NFL Week 8 odds features this game at a pick ‘em, while the football gambling over/under has been lined at 44.

What's going on with the G-Men right now? Their defense has been blown to bits over the L/2 games for a combined 72 points in losses to the Saints and Cardinals. QB Eli Manning doesn't appear to be himself right now either, as he has completed less than 50% of his passes for 421 yards and two TDs against four picks in his L/2 games. It's possible that he hasn't quite healed from a heel injury that nearly kept him out of action against the Raiders in Week 5. Still, he's going to need more help from his defense.

Two weeks ago, New York ranked in the Top-5 in every major defensive category. Though it still ranks #1 in total defense at 262.0 yards per game, the average rushing yards per game has jumped almost 60 full yards because of the L/2 games. Not only that, but the 'D' that used to rank #2 in the league in points per game is now a very mediocre 16th, averaging allowing 20.4 PPG.

The Eagles had a frightening moment two weeks ago when they lost to the lowly Raiders in Oakland, but they bounced back nicely on Monday night with a comfortable 27-17 victory in Landover against the Redskins. The defense was flying all over the field, accounting for six sacks of Washington QB Jason Campbell. LB Will Witherspoon had one of those six sacks, and he also led the team in tackles (8) and picked off a pass for a touchdown in the first quarter. WR/PR DeSean Jackson continues to provide huge plays for the Philly offense. He has caught 21 passes for 423 yards, rushed for 115 yards on seven carries, and returned 13 punts for 189 yards this year. In all, he’s accounted for five total touchdowns.

The Giants may be 22-5 ATS in their L/27 road games, but it's hard to back them here on Sunday. The Eagles aren't necessarily to be trusted either though, as their only wins this year are against Washington, Tampa Bay, Kansas City, and Carolina, all of whom are amongst the worst teams in the league. The only playoff-caliber team that Philly has faced has been New Orleans, who laid a 48-22 beat down on it back in Week 2. Before last week, the Giants had scored at least 24 points in all of their games this season. Philly's dud against Oakland was the only game in which it failed to score at least 22 points. The math here is simple. An average performance from both offenses against defenses that have had tendencies to struggle should see this one into the 50s.

Rose's Recommendation: 4* NYG/PHI Over 44

Rating Scale 1* - 5*