NFL Preview: Giants Need To Bring the Pain Against the Eagles

The Giants and Eagles are tied with 6-3 records atop the NFC East. Now they meet in the Linc where Eli Manning and Michael Vick will provide an unusual duel.

Vick’s pocket play will prove decisive
No team in the NFL can match the New York Giants when it comes to depth at the front seven. Sunday Night Football will see players constantly rotating for Big Blue in a bid to keep after Philadelphia’s Michael Vick. The Eagles’ quarterback moved to the head of the field in the MVP race after a majestic performance against the Redskins on Monday night. Vick knows he will be under a lot more pressure on Sunday so the key to this game will be how well he fares with less time or space to move. I like his chances of coming up big in this game. The greatest area of improvement for Vick since his comeback has been in his pocket-passing. Provided the Eagles’ offensive line holds up, Vick should be able to do enough to lead Philadelphia to a potent offensive performance.

For the Giants, the key will be in keeping turnovers to a minimum. Eli Manning has put up some gaudy stats in 2010 but his 13 interceptions, as opposed to 19 touchdowns, puts him into the good but not great category. Against the Eagles they will need him to be error-free because Philadelphia’s secondary knows how to go after the ball. Given the hangover the Giants are suffering from last week’s defeat, I’m not willing to give the younger Manning the benefit of the doubt. Bet on the Philadelphia Eagles as -3.0 favorites with Sports Interaction.

Gabriel Morency previews the Giants’ trip to Philadelphia

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McLcILm0NJQ[/youtube]

Well-rested Ravens will soar
If you play fantasy Football and have the Ravens’ defense on your roster, you might as well pencil in this weekend as a win. Baltimore should explode in Charlotte as they look to make up for last week’s defeat to the Falcons. Carolina were bad enough with Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen under center but now they have turned to a man who will be just five days removed from being a stay-at-home dad when he takes the field on Sunday. Brian St. Pierre, a journeyman back-up who has thrown just five passes in his NFL career, has been signed up as John Fox doesn’t want to hand over the reins to Tony Pike, a rookie out of Cincinnati.

Pike should consider it an act of mercy. St. Pierre goes up against one of the most terrifying defensive units in the country on Sunday with a limited arsenal that is wholly lacking in confidence. This should be a rout. Bet on the Baltimore Ravens as -10.5 favorites with Sports Interaction.