Philadelphia Eagles (2-3 SU, 1-4 ATS) vs. New York Giants (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS)
Week 6 NFL
Date/Time: Thursday Night Football, October 11, 2018 at 8:20PM EDT
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
TV: Fox
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: PHI -2.5/NYG +2.5
Over/Under Total: 45
The Philadelphia Eagles take on the New York Giants on Thursday Night Football in an NFC East matchup. Both teams could use a win after coming up short on Sunday in week 5. The Giants lost in agonizing fashion after appearing to take the lead for good late. A 63-yard FG from the Panthers spoiled their day, as they lost 33-31 to the Panthers. The Eagles, meanwhile, look to avoid becoming another Super Bowl hangover casualty, already a bit up against it at 2-3 after falling to the Vikings at home, 23-21. Who can get the upper hand this week on TNF?
It might be premature to sound the alarms, but the Eagles need to get to the business of defending their championship before this thing gets away from them. The season opened up well enough with a win over the Falcons, but three losses in four games have people a little concerned. Their only win in that span was a 4-point home win over Indy, as they haven't covered the spread since week one. They've had some changes at QB, with Carson Wentz having been back for three games. Maybe things will stabilize and we can see them do better from here.
For the Giants, the situation is even worse at 1-4, but that loss on Sunday was enough to make you wonder where they turn from here. In Pat Shurmur's first season, things are already sideways at 1-4. That doesn't mean they didn't look good on Sunday, as they kept coming back on the Panthers and appeared to seal it with a late TD by Saquon Barkley. Losing on a 63-yard field goal with time running out is a tough pill to swallow when you fight and slaw all day long and get so close to a win.
Let's face it, the Giants' big 2016 season where everything came together perfectly is a distant memory at this point. Eli Manning still had a productive day with over 300 yards passing and two touchdowns. His two picks, however, underline his current form—good at times but mistake prone. With Odell Beckham at WR and emerging rookie Barkley at running back, there are difference-makers in place. We saw Beckham hit Barkley for a long TD strike on Sunday in a big trick-play. But overall, the offense is an incomplete unit, with Sterling Shepard the only other real contributor and a line that isn't always tip-top. Word is that Barkley is hurt, something to watch as this game approaches. And having given up 33 points per game in their last two, the defense hasn't really held up their end of the deal. It's been a struggle on that side of the ball. They do, however, have difference-makers, as Janoris Jenkins and Curtis Riley each had picks on Sunday.
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One would struggle to find a sole cause for the Eagles to be struggling to this extent. There have been some issues, in-game and just in general. Some key moments aren't going the Eagles' way this season. We see an offensive line that is a clear step from its peak form, which has resonated in these games, particularly in the loss to the Vikes with a stripped ball returned for the deciding score. With 24 points being their high-water point of the season, the offense isn't really turning over, either. While they are certainly not the first team to follow a Super Bowl win not looking the great to start the next season, it's a bit alarming how little of that juice they've been able to show so far in 2018.
Carson Wentz should get better and the line should follow suit. There still is something weird about losing a young budding star at QB, only to see the team achieve glory without him. It makes it odd when he returns, as the supposition is that he's the right man for the spot, while reality suggests otherwise. The running package of Jay Ajayi, Corey Clement, and Wendell Smallwood hasn't really taken over yet. And while Zach Ertz is doing his thing, they could use more from guys like Nelson Agholor, Alshon Jeffery, and anyone else who wants to step up and produce.
There are a lot of veterans on this Philly team to discount them at all. Concerned and not alarmed would seem to be the way to look at it. It makes one think how to perceive the element of urgency. And at 2-3, it is certainly a factor in this. And with the opponent being the lowly Giants, the feeling is that urgency will allow the defending Super Bowl champions to win conclusively in this spot. And while that might be true, the Giants aren't looking to play the role of foil at home in this divisional spot against a long-hated rival. So while it's natural to project a dominant Philly win, we also have to deal in reality and how teams can't simply will themselves to get certain results in this league.
Be that as it may, the element of urgency appears to loom large in this particular matchup. By all means, the Giants should be tough. In a lot of ways, their season is on the line and one should expect them to play accordingly. But the Eagles should be feeling the squeeze in this game and I look for that to resonate with them playing a bit better, getting some late separation from the Giants, and getting the cover on Thursday.
Loot's Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I'm betting on the Philadelphia Eagles minus 2.5 points. Bet this game for FREE by taking advantage of a massive 100% sign-up bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $500 at GTBets!
