The Chip Kelly era is over in Philadelphia, less than three seasons after it started. Following two 10-win campaigns, the Eagles under-achieved after some questionable moves by GM Chip, which led to the downfall of coach Chip. The Tom Coughlin era could come to an end in New York after 12 seasons and two Super Bowl titles.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
New York Giants -3
Philadelphia Eagles +3
Over/Under 52
ODDS ANALYSIS
Philadelphia has been cashing out for bettors on recent visits to the Giants, going 7-1 SU and ATS in its last eight trips to New York. The line remained at New York -3 while the total fell a half-point to 51.5.
KEY INJURIES
Byron Maxwell – Missed the last game with a shoulder injury and is questionable to play on Sunday. Fellow cornerback Jaylen Watkins’ injury could be a serious blow to the Eagles secondary. If both players are unavailable for the Giants game, Denzel Rice would likely see his first action of the season.
Bennie Logan – Philadelphia’s starting nose tackle could miss his second straight game with a calf injury. Beau Allen is ready to make his second start just in case.
Marshall Newhouse – New York’s starting right tackle sustained a concussion Sunday night and is doubtful to play against Philadelphia. Rookie Bobby Hart stepped in and held his own. Safety Craig Dahl also sustained a concussion and entered the league’s protocol for such injuries.
KEY MISMATCH
The Giants got a chance to experience life without Odell Beckham Jr. due to his one-game suspension for wild antics the previous week, and it wasn’t pretty. Quarterback Eli Manning will have his favorite target back for the regular season finale, but was quick to note that OBJ’s absence wasn’t the main reason for the G-Men playing so poorly against Minnesota. Anyone who saw the game might disagree. Manning, while abused behind shoddy pass protection most of the night, threw three interceptions. Toss in the dropped passes and poor route running by Reuben Randle, who after four years still isn’t in sync with his quarterback, and you have a passing game that’s was unacceptable. Things are much different when Beckham is out there. OBJ has hauled in nearly 25 percent of the team’s receptions and accounted for over 33 percent of the Giants’ receiving yards, so, yeah, they miss him. Not to mention the fact that he makes catches mortal human beings would never come close to making. He could have a big afternoon against an Eagles secondary that could be without its top corner and nickel back.
KEY STAT
26.0 – New York’s points per game. The Giants have the sixth-best scoring offense in the NFL and will have Beckham back for the finale. They’ll go against Philadelphia’s 28th-ranked scoring defense.
BETTING ANGLE
They took the field knowing they were already eliminated from playoff contention, but Coughlin was resolute that “We had an opportunity to play for pride.” What does that say about his Giants, who went out Sunday night and got blasted by the Vikings in a game that had the look and feel of the end of the line? There was the sound of finality in his words after Sunday’s loss. Coughlin has escaped the hot seat before, using two Super Bowl victories as a response. But his Giants are not in the playoffs for a fourth consecutive year. They are 6-9 and, after six close-call losses, they were obliterated in Week 16 with Coughlin’s job status in the air. It was not a good look and almost definitely the last gasp.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Much like his inconsistent offense this season, Kelly is three-and-out. A sudden move that wasn’t so unexpected, given the decline in the team’s record and the backlash the former coach took for the moves he made. Reports have surfaced saying several groups of players had complained internally about how Kelly ran the team and it looked in recent games like the players had stopped playing for him. Will they respond in their last game under interim coach Pat Shurmur? The Giants are saying the opposite about their coach. Coughlin is a beloved figure in the locker room but the team simply hasn’t played well and a number of strange decisions in earlier games cost them. They laid down last week and were rolled by the Vikings after postseason hopes were taken away with Washington’s win in Philly. Both defenses are lousy, giving the over some value, and the Giants’ duo of Manning and Beckham should have a big day.
New York 30, Philadelphia 24
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! The matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and New York Giants will kick off Sunday, January 3, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium. The contest will be broadcast regionally on FOX.
