NY Giants (1-5) at Philadelphia (1-4-1)
When: Thursday, October 22nd, 2020
Where: Lincoln Financial Field,
Philadelphia, PA
Time: 8:20 ET | TV: FOX
Opening Odds: Philadelphia -6.5/45.5
The NFC East is turning into the NFC Least this season with all four clubs struggling to find wins on the schedule. The division has a combined five wins on the season, but will get two this weekend – barring any ties – with the Washington Football Team playing the Dallas Cowboys and the New York Giants visiting the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday night. On paper, the Giants/Eagles matchup looks horrendous, but could actually be a closely played contest to kickoff Week 7 of the NFL season. Injuries are once again killing this Philadelphia team, but are more than capable of winning this division despite only one win on the season through six weeks. Three-time Pro Bowl tight end Zach Ertz (ankle) and running back Miles Sanders (knee) joined the growing injury list this week after Sunday’s 30-28 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The offensive line is also banged up which is why Carson Wentz has been sacked 25 times in 2020. While New York recently has been dominated in the series, a win on Thursday would put the Giants (1-5) a half-game behind Dallas for first place in the NFC East. Daniel Jones rumbled for 74 yards in New York’s 20-19 victory over Washington on Sunday for their first victory of 2020.
The Eagles opened as 6.5-point favorites, but the line has been bet down to four, with a total set at 43.5 as of Wednesday morning. New York lost at home to Philadelphia in Week 17 last year, 34-17 and the teams have split the past 10 meetings against the spread and the over is 7-3 in those. The Eagles have won seven straight games against the Giants and haven’t lost at home to them since a 15-7 setback in 2013.
Head coach Joe Judge got his first NFL win on Sunday, 20-19 over a Washington team that scored with less than a minute left but opted to go for the two-point PAT and win with no success. Jones threw for only 112 yards with a TD and a pick and has committed at least one turnover in 17 of 18 career starts. He is 3-0 in his career vs. Washington and 1-14 vs. all other teams. Defensively, New York has been pretty solid, ranking 12th overall (342.0) and eighth against the run (106.5). Running back Dion Lewis (hand) is currently on the injury list along with wide receiver Darius Slayton (foot) and cornerback Darnay Holmes (neck). Wideout receiver C.J. Board (concussion), defensive back Adrian Colbert (shoulder) and linebacker Tae Crowder (hamstring) have not practiced this week. The Giants, who are 6-0 against the spread in their last six road games, will host Tampa Bay next Monday night.
The Eagles were dominated for three quarters last week versus the Ravens, being outscored 24-6 but found their offence in the fourth quarter to make it a close game. Wentz scored on a 1-yard run with just under two minutes to go, but he was stuffed on the two-point conversion try. Wentz didn’t throw an interception for the first time this season, but was sacked six times. Running back Miles Sanders and tight end Zach Ertz both left with injuries and both were to have MRIs on Monday. Sanders will surely miss the game being that it’s on short rest. Pro Bowl offensive tackle Lane Johnson and wideouts DeSean Jackson and Alshon Jeffery all missed the game due to injuries. Wentz may see some familiar faces on Thursday, as Jeffery (foot), Jackson (hamstring) and Johnson (ankle) were deemed as limited during Tuesday’s walk-through. Philly will host Dallas next Sunday night.
Both of these teams have a lot of issues, but the Eagles defense will be the deciding factor here. New York’s offense is pitiful and Wentz should have his best game of the year, despite limited offensive help.
Pick: Eagles -4
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