Never-lacking-for-drama Giants worth look vs. Eagles
Judging by his no-nonsense personality, New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin does not watch soap operas. He always seems to be a main character in one, however.
Whether pulling his team out of a losing funk or knocking off Bill Belichick and Tom Brady in dramatic Super Bowls, Coughlin finds himself wrapped up in good stories. He has reached the pinnacle of the NFL and been put on the hot seat, each more than once.
Two games into this season, the Giants were winless and Coughlin’s act was getting old. (Now, cue the inspirational music.) But in this episode of “As the NFL World Turns,” the old coach is back and up to his old tricks.
The Giants have reeled off three consecutive wins, laying waste to Houston, Washington and Atlanta in impressive fashion. Suddenly, Coughlin has a surging team that is considered a strong contender in the wide-open NFC East.
Giants quarterback Eli Manning, another soap opera favorite, no longer looks so depressed and haggard. Manning threw four interceptions in the first two games. He was getting picked on by defensive backs and critics. But he now has 11 touchdown passes, five interceptions and a newfound swagger about him.
On Sunday night, the full-of-confidence Giants roll into Philadelphia, where they have covered three consecutive meetings and grounded and pounded the Eagles in a 15-7 win last year.
The Philadelphia offense, off to a roaring start for coach Chip Kelly, has hit a speed bump. The running attack is bogging down behind a patchwork line. The Eagles are averaging a paltry 1.73 points per drive, which ranks 22nd in the league. The Giants, by comparison, rank sixth at 2.38 points per drive.
For whatever reason, Coughlin is a reliable underdog coach, posting a 15-9 record against the spread in the past 24 games in that role. Kelly, by contrast, is 4-7 ATS as a home favorite.
I’ll back the Giants as 3-point ’dogs against the inconsistent Eagles, who are getting involved in bizarre games every week.
As usual, the NFC East is entertaining and full of storylines. I don’t recommend watching soap operas, but the Giants are worth a look.
Four more plays for Week 6 (home team in CAPS):
■ Steelers (+1½) over BROWNS: Cleveland ranks 29th in rushing defense, allowing 152.5 yards per game (5.1 yards per carry). That’s a good sign for Le’Veon Bell and the Pittsburgh running attack. Ben Roethlisberger makes winning plays and is a bet-on quarterback. The Browns are in a bet-against spot after their comeback win at Tennessee.
■ DOLPHINS (+3) over Packers: I bet this at 3½ but still will go with it because this shapes up as a field-goal game either way. Green Bay, off back-to-back blowouts against mediocre opponents, should see its run defense remain a problem in the Miami heat. Aaron Rodgers is difficult to bet against, but Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill is 7-1 ATS as a home ’dog, including a season-opening victory over New England.
■ BILLS (+3) over Patriots: On a near-empty New England bandwagon last week, I’ll jump off it in this spot. Buffalo ranks No. 8 in total defense and No. 4 in scoring defense, and veteran quarterback Kyle Orton makes the offense more efficient. The Bills were 6-1 ATS as home ’dogs last season. Brady always beats Buffalo, but this should be a down-to-the-wire battle.
■ SEAHAWKS (-8) over Cowboys: The stylistic matchup favors Seattle. The Cowboys are thriving because of DeMarco Murray and the running attack, but the Seahawks defense ranks No. 1 in the NFL against the run, allowing 2.6 yards per carry and 62 yards per game. Murray won’t control the clock on the ground, and Dallas’ defense finally will get exposed by Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson.
Last week: 4-1 against the spread
Season: 13-11-1
Las Vegas Review-Journal sports betting columnist Matt Youmans can be reached at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907. He co-hosts “The Las Vegas Sportsline” weekdays at 2 p.m. on ESPN Radio (1100 AM). Follow him on Twitter: @mattyoumans247.