PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (9-4) at NEW YORK GIANTS (9-4)

Kickoff: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EDT, Line: New York -2.5, Total: 46

The battle for the first place in the NFC East continues and the host New York Giants are looking to beat the Philadelphia Eagles for the first time in six tries. They will have to do so without their top wide receiver Steve Smith who had season-ending knee surgery earlier this week. He will be replaced in the starting lineup with Mario Manningham who has been bothered by a hip flexor and will not be 100 percent. The top wide receiver for the Eagles is also hurting as DeSean Jackson is dealing with a foot injury. Jackson wasn’t on practice on Thursday but said he will be ready to play Sunday.

Both NFL teams have great offenses that can move the ball both on the ground and through the air. The Eagles lead the NFL with 403 total YPG, ranking fifth in rushing (146 YPG) and sixth in passing (257 YPG). The Giants are fourth in the league in yardage (385 YPG) with the fourth-best rushing attack (148 YPG) and the 12th-ranked passing offense (237 YPG). New York has a decided advantage on the defensive side of the ball, ranking second in pass defense (186 YPG) and fifth against the run (95 YPG). By comparison, the Eagles are 17th in pass defense (224 YPG) and 11th in rush defense (104 YPG).

Michael Vick continues to amaze YouWager.com bettors with an NFC-best 104.3 quarterback rating, but the Giants were the only team to prevent Vick from scoring through the air this year when Vick played a full game. But Vick still threw for 258 yards and rushed for 34 yards and a touchdowns in Philly’s 27-17 over New York in Week 11. DeSean Jackson has usually been his favorite target, and despite his sprained foot, he still caught four passes for 210 yards in last week’s win at Dallas. Le’Sean McCoy paces the ground game, which has rushed for an impressive 166 YPG in the past six contests. McCoy rushed for a season-high 149 yards against Dallas, and also gained 111 yards on the ground in the last meeting with New York.

The loss of Smith (48 rec., 529 yds, 3 TD) is significant, but quarterback Eli Manning knows how to fill in when needed. Hakeem Nicks looked great in his return to action last week, catching seven passes for 96 yards. Nicks leads the team with 69 receptions for 896 yards and nine touchdowns. Manningham has also had a big year with 44 catches for 598 yards and five scores. The biggest boost to New York’s offense has been its rushing duo of Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs who have combined for 545 rushing yards on 6.1 YPC in the past three games. This hot streak comes after the Eagles held the Giants to a season-low 61 yards in their Week 11 meeting.

The Eagles are 5-0 (SU and ATS) in the past five meetings with the Giants, winning by an average score of 31 to 19. However, the following YouWager NFL betting trend thinks New York will win and cover the point spread in this game.

Play On – All teams where the line is +3 to -3 (NY GIANTS) – avenging a loss against opponent, in a game involving two good teams (60% to 75%) in the second half of the season. (26-4 over the last 10 seasons.) (86.7%, +21.6 units. Rating = 4*).

Oddsmakers also think the game will finish Under the Total:

Play Under – Road teams against the total (PHILADELPHIA) – with a poor defense – allowing 5.4 or more yards/play, after gaining 375 or more total yards in 2 consecutive games. (36-12 over the last 5 seasons.) (75%, +22.8 units. Rating = 3*).

Free Pick: NY Giants -2.5