Eagles (10-6-1) @ Giants (12-4) - January 11th, 2009

By WagerWeb.com Contributing Writer

Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook

Let there be no doubt that the one team the New York Giants didn’t want to see first among all the NFC playoff clubs was the Philadelphia Eagles, who know the G-Men better than anyone and won at the Meadowlands in Week 14.

But that’s the reality as New York starts its Super Bowl defense as 4-point favorites on WagerWeb.com.

Philly has won five of its past six games, including 20-14 in New Jersey on Dec. 7 (one of Philly’s three regular-season road wins). Brian Westbrook went off in that game, getting 203 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns. Philly dominated in pretty much every fashion, and its defense held the Giants to a measly 211 total yards.

However, New York wasn’t totally healthy in that game, with Brandon Jacobs leaving the game early. Jacobs was healthy in the teams’ first meeting, a 36-31 Giants win in Week 10 when Jacobs rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns. Westbrook was held to 59 total yards in that game.

Bet on Jacobs’ and Westbrook’s game totals at WagerWeb.com.



Still, Giants backers on WagerWeb.com might need to be concerned about how the Eagles have handled that vaunted New York pass rush. The Giants sacked Donovan McNabb 15 times total in two games last year and not once in 2008.

“Hey, they’ve done a good job, kept more people in blocking, chipped more, done some good things, so give them credit,” Giants defensive end Justin Tuck said of the Eagles’ offense.

Tuck had 12 sacks this year, but only half a sack in the last four games and only 3 1/2 the second half of the season. The Giants ranked fourth in the NFL with 42 sacks, but 30 sacks were in their first eight games and just 12 in their last eight. Philly allowed 10 sacks the first four games and just 16 the last 13 - none in either Giants game.

Tuck, by the way, is dealing with nagging leg injuries, but so is Eagles right guard Jon Runyan. Both will start.

Philly, which is +175 on the WagerWeb.com money line, also will throw in a new wrinkle for this game as Correll Buckhalter likely will start at fullback. Starting fullback Dan Klecko practiced Friday, although it was with the scout team, and is listed as doubtful. Having Buckhalter and Westrbook in the same backfield could open up a few possibilities for the Philly offense.

Generally in the playoffs if a team can score on defense it will win. Last week three teams scored defensive touchdowns, and all three won. When any of the 12 teams that made the playoffs scored a defensive touchdown this season, they were 41-4.

If it comes down to a clutch kick for the Eagles, that might be a problem. David Akers is a great kicker generally, and he made four field goals against the Vikings. He has now made 15 straight in the playoffs and is 25-for-29 all-time in the postseason.

But Giants Stadium, Akers is a 11-for-22 career. This year, he was 2-for-4 with both misses being blocked, and one was returned for a touchdown.

WagerWeb.com Game Trends

* Eagles are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 playoff games as an underdog.
* Eagles are 4-0 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
* Eagles are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 playoff road games.
* Eagles are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games on grass.
* Eagles are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
* Eagles are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog of 3.5-10.0.
* Eagles are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games as a road underdog.
* Eagles are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
* Eagles are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 playoff games.
* Eagles are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
* Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Divisional Playoffs games.
* Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. NFC.
* Eagles are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 road games.
* Eagles are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a S.U. win.
* Eagles are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.
* Eagles are 36-16-2 ATS in their last 54 games as an underdog.
* Eagles are 5-13-1 ATS in their last 19 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game.
* Giants are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games in January.
* Giants are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 playoff games.
* Giants are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game.
* Giants are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a S.U. loss.
* Giants are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite of 3.5-10.0.
* Giants are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a favorite.
* Giants are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0.
* Giants are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games.
* Giants are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a home favorite.
* Giants are 21-6 ATS in their last 27 games overall.
* Giants are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 games following a ATS win.
* Giants are 16-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.
* Giants are 16-5 ATS in their last 21 games on grass.
* Giants are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 vs. NFC East.
* Giants are 37-15-2 ATS in their last 54 vs. NFC.
* Giants are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
* Over is 6-0 in Eagles last 6 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game.
* Under is 6-1-1 in Eagles last 8 playoff games.
* Under is 5-1-1 in Eagles last 7 games following a S.U. win.
* Under is 5-1 in Eagles last 6 road games.
* Under is 5-1-1 in Eagles last 7 games following a ATS win.
* Over is 7-2 in Eagles last 9 games as a road underdog.
* Over is 20-6 in Eagles last 26 games as an underdog.
* Over is 9-3 in Eagles last 12 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0.
* Under is 5-2 in Eagles last 7 Divisional Playoffs games.
* Over is 23-10-1 in Eagles last 34 vs. a team with a winning record.
* Under is 5-1 in Giants last 6 playoff games.
* Under is 4-1 in Giants last 5 games in January.
* Under is 4-1 in Giants last 5 games overall.
* Under is 4-1 in Giants last 5 vs. NFC.
* Under is 7-2 in Giants last 9 vs. NFC East.
* Under is 6-2 in Giants last 8 games following a S.U. loss.
* Over is 7-3-1 in Giants last 11 games as a favorite.
* Over is 9-4-1 in Giants last 14 home games.
* Under is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings in New York.
* Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings.
* Eagles are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings.
* Road team is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings.
* Underdog is 8-0 ATS in their last 8 meetings.

Bet on Eagles @ Giants