NFL Playoff Simulation - Eagles @ Giants
by Mike Rose
New York Giants 1:00 ET FOX
Weather: Highs in the lower 30s, north winds around 10 mph with gusts up to 20 mph; chance of precipitation 50%.
The defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants (12-4, 12-4 ATS) get a chance to atone for the sin they committed back in Week 14 when the Philadelphia Eagles (10-6-1, 11-6 ATS) march into the Meadowlands for a second visit. It’s not often that a pair of division rivals get to square off for a third time in the same season, but that’s exactly where head coach Andy Reid’s Eagles and head coach Tom Coughlin’s Giants find themselves in this afternoons sports betting affair.
The Eagles picked up a solid road win and cover in last weeks wildcard playoff win against the Minnesota Vikings. QB Donovan McNabb had a monster game passing for 300 yards and a TD, and the defense forced a pair of turnovers to help the Eagles move on to the divisional round.
New York’s walking wounded got to rest up throughout its first round bye last week, so it’s safe to say they’ll be ready to take on the challenge that comes in the form of their most hated NFC East rivals.
The underdog has recently dominated this NFC East rivalry going a perfect 8-0 ATS the L/8 times these teams have squared off; the Giants hold a 5-3 SU and ATS mark during that stretch. Keen NFL bettors must also be aware of the road team’s prowess as the visitor has cashed pointspread tickets in 6 of the L/7 battles. However, the Giants went a solid 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS as a home favorite this season, while the Eagles struggled overall on the road compiling 3-4-1 SU and 4-4 ATS marks during the regular season.
With these divisional rivals so familiar with one another, the ‘under’ has played a prominent role cashing in 4 of the L/5 meetings. It’s also a $$$-making 10-2 O/U the L/12 times these teams have squared off in the Meadowlands.
1st Quarter:
With the poor weather playing a major role, neither offense was able to do anything with each of its first three possessions of the 1st quarter.
New York finally got on track on its fourth drive, but the Eagles defense quickly put an end to it once they got to midfield by coming up with the first turnover of the game. QB Eli Manning tried to force the ball to his TE, but it got deflected at the line of scrimmage and was hauled in by CB Asante Samuel who snagged one last week in the Metrodome as well.
Set up 1st and 10 at their own 48, RB Brian Westbrook ripped off an 8-yard gain on 1st down and then picked up nine yards on his next two rushes to get down to the Giants 36-yard line. QB Donovan McNabb hooked up with WR Kevin Curtis for a solid 16-yard gain, and followed it up with an 11-yard pass and catch to WR DeSean Jackson. The Eagles were set up nicely with a 1st and goal at the Giants 4-yard line as the 1st quarter came to a close.
PHILADELPHIA 0 NEW YORK 0
2nd QUARTER
The Giants defense stepped up huge on the next three plays forcing an incomplete pass on 1st down, dropped RB Westbrook for a 4-yard loss on a stretch play on 2nd down, and forced another incomplete pass on 3rd down. Once again, the Eagles offense struggles to put it in the endzone on the road continued, and they had to settle for the 25-yard FG from K David Akers.
Both offenses continued its poor execution over the next seven minutes of the quarter. The Giants failed to do anything on its next drive as well, but it’s defense stopped Philly immediately to hand the pigskin back to Eli and company with 1:37 remaining in the half.
NY’s passing game finally went off on the next couple plays when QB Manning connected with WR Domenik Hixon for a 12-yard gain and followed it up with a 7-yard strike to TE Kevin Boss. RB Brandon Jacobs put the offense on his back once it got into Philadelphia territory, and penetrated the Eagles red zone after a solid nine-yard gain right up the gut. However, with just nine ticks remaining, the Giants ran out of time after Manning’s one shot to the endzone fell incomplete. Instead of going ahead before the break, the Giants had to settle for three….
PHILADELPHIA 3 NEW YORK 3
3rd Quarter
Most of the 3rd quarter was the exact snooze fest as the 1st quarter until Eagles P Rocca pinned the Giants on their own 1-yard line with a perfectly executed coffin corner kick. NY then committed its second turnover of the game, but this time, it directly led to points. QB Manning and RB Bradshaw botched the exchange in their own end zone, but managed to hop on top of the pigskin before Philly could pounce on it. Still, it was a safety and the Eagles took the 5-3 lead…
The Eagles got to midfield before being forced to punt on their next possession. Rocca’s punt sailed into the endzone to set the Giants up 1st and 10 from their own 20. The Giants moved the chains once as the game flew into the final quarter of play.
PHILADELPHIA 5 NEW YORK 3
4TH QUARTER
The Giants proceeded to go about their attack utilizing their short passing game and the power running of RB Jacobs. Once past midfield, the Eagles stepped up on 3rd and 4 to force the incomplete pass. However, instead of punting, the Giants quickly stormed back to the line of scrimmage and caught the Eagles off guard. QB Manning’s cadence got an Eagle lineman to jump, and the Giants moved the chains due to the off sides penalty. RB Jacobs then busted a six-yard gain before Manning connected with WR Steve Smith for 12 to move the chains. NY then came up with a huge play on 3rd and long when Manning hit RB Derrick Ward on a screen that went for 13-yards. This allowed NY to enter the red zone, and they moved deeper into Philly territory when the Eagles secondary got flagged for pass interference on the very next play. Jacobs busted into the endzone from five-yards out right after to give the Giants their first lead of the game.
With a little over two minutes remaining in the contest, it was find the endzone or go home for McNabb and company. The Eagles got all the way out to NY’s 42 with 45 seconds to go in the game, but that’s where the drive stalled after McNabb’s 4th down pass attempt fell to the Meadowlands turf.
It was far from easy, but the defending champs moved onto the NFC Championship game for the second year in a row!!!
FINAL SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 5 NEW YORK 10
This game simulation calls for a New York cover and for the game to go under the posted ‘Total’. You can get the Giants (-4) -110 and the under 40 –110 at BetUS.com right now!!!
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHILADELPHIA | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| NEW YORK | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
QB Donovan McNabb: 17/34 175 yards 0 TD 0 INT
QB Eli Manning: 20/36 175 yards 0 TD 1 INT
RB Brian Westbrook: 17 carries for 57 yards 0 TD Long of 8
RB Brandon Jacobs: 29 carries for 73 yards 1 TD Long of 9
WR Reggie Brown: 4 receptions for 49 yards 0 TD Long of 15
WR Amani Toomer: 5 receptions for 56 yards 0 TD Long of 12
| PHI | NYG | |
|---|---|---|
| TOTAL OFFENSE | 240 | 293 |
| RUSHING YARDS | 65 | 93 |
| PASSING YARDS | 175 | 175 |
| 1ST DOWNS | 12 | 17 |
| TOTAL YARDS | 333 | 366 |
| TURNOVERS | 0 | 2 |
| 3RD DOWN CONV | 4/17 23% | 5/17 29% |
| PENALTIES | 9-73 | 6-45 |
| TIME OF POSSESSION | 30:27 | 29:33 |
