Giants Looking To Get Back In NFC Playoff Mix; Favored Over Eagles

NFL News - December 8th, 2009 - Written by Bryan

Huge playoff implications will be present when the Eagles take the field against the Giants this week. The divisional showdown will paint a clearer picture of the playoff scenario and the team that comes out on top in this contest will help.

Both the Eagles and Giants know each other very well, and are evenly matched, so much so that even odd makers were cautious in setting the line. The Giants are a 1 point favorite to beat the 8-4 Eagles at home this week, with the over/under in the contest installed at 44 1/2. Expect it to be a close game according to the NFL Week 14 Betting Odds.

The Giants used big plays last week in their win over divisional opponent, Dallas, including a 74-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Eli Manning to running back Brandon Jacobs and an 80-yard punt return by punt specialist Domenik Hixon.

While the "big play" is something that the Giants enjoyed having in their arsenal against the Cowboys, those plays were the longest of the Giants season. New York has not had many twenty-plus-yard plays and Eli Manning and the rest of the Giants offense will need to make adjustments for the Eagles defense. In the previous meeting this year, the Eagles crushed the Giants 40-17. In that game the Eagles were a one point favorite.

The win last week was the Giants first win in regulation since week five. A string of losses and an overtime win versus Atlanta have made up the majority of the middle of the season. The win over Dallas however has breathed new life into a Division title and playoff hopes for the Giants.

At 7-5, New York is just one game behind in the NFC Eastern Division with Philadelphia and Dallas each at 8-4.

The Eagles received good news this week with the announcement that stand out wide receiver DeSean Jackson will be making his return to face the Giants. Jackson missed this past weeks' against Atlanta due to a concussion suffered the week prior. Jackson leads the team in receiving yards and touchdown receptions.

Fortunately for Philadelphia, Jackson's absence went unnoticed in the Eagles 34-7 stomping of the Falcons.

Michael Vick made his return to the Georgia Dome, the stadium in which he began his career. He scored his first touchdown of the year, a six-yard run in the second quarter. He added another touchdown when he threw for a score in the games' final quarter, with the outcome already in hand.

The performance over Atlanta should give Philadelphia confidence coming into this critical divisional match up. It was one of the Eagle's most complete games; probably second to the 40-17 drubbing laid down in the first go around against New York earlier in the year.

While Philadelphia coming into this week controls its own playoff destiny, a loss against New York would do serious damage to the Eagles playoff hopes.

Some NFL Betting Trends to consider are that the Eagles are 6-1 ATS in the teams' last 7 road games versus a team that has a winning record (New York is 7-5). Also of note, the Giants are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 1/2-3. This week they are a one point favorite.