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The online sportsbooks were posting the New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles betting line between -8.5 and -10 after some uncertainties over Michael Vick’s status. See Sportsbook.com website for latest odds on this game here.
Philadelphia looks for a seventh straight series win (SU and ATS) over rival New York when the divisional foes meet Sunday afternoon. The injury-depleted Giants could catch a break as Eagles star QB Michael Vick is questionable with a concussion.
Although Philly has won these six consecutive meetings by an average of 10.8 PPG, the Eagles needed a game-ending, punt-return TD from DeSean Jackson to complete an improbable comeback to beat the Giants last December. This offseason, Philadelphia has reloaded while New York is falling apart. Philly has the defensive backs to smother the Giants’ passing game, while New York’s injuries in the secondary (CBs Prince Amukamara and Terrell Thomas) will leave the G-Men susceptible to Philly’s big-play receivers. Even if Vick is not cleared to return, backup Mike Kafka (7-for-9, 72 yards) proved to be serviceable during fourth-quarter action in Atlanta.
Eli Manning has been a mediocre quarterback versus the Eagles in his career, with a 6-8 record, 59% completion rate, 222 passing YPG, 22 TD and 16 INT. He’s not yet working with a healthy receiving unit though, as WR Mario Manningham is questionable with a concussion. Two other wide receivers that are also hurt, but will most likely play through knee injuries for a second straight week, are Domenik Hixon and Hakeem Nicks. The oft-injured RB duo of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs are both healthy, but neither has been great this year, combining for 182 yards on 50 carries (3.6 YPC). On the defensive side of the ball, DE Justin Tuck was able to play in Monday night’s win over St. Louis (five tackles 1.5 sacks), but fellow DE Osi Umenyiora (knee) is not expected to play in Week 3.
Vick isn’t the only Eagles offensive star that was banged up in Sunday’s loss to Atlanta. RB LeSean McCoy suffered a hand injury, WR DeSean Jackson injured his wrist and TE Brent Celek strained his back. All three players are questionable, but McCoy will likely play on Sunday. Fortunately, Jeremy Maclin, whose health was a major concern in the preseason, has been injury-free, catching 14 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns in his first two games of 2011. Two defensive ends are also injured as Trent Cole strained a tendon in his hand against the Falcons and Juqua Parker has a high ankle sprain that will likely keep him sidelined for Sunday.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
