When the Giants (1-5) travel to face the Eagles (1-4-1) in Philadelphia on "Thursday Night Football" (8:20 p.m. ET, Fox, NFL Network, Amazon Prime Video), it will be a tale of two teams trying to take advantage of the struggling Cowboys (2-4) to push for control of the weak NFC East.
New York is coming off its first win, edging division rival Washington (1-5) at home. Philadelphia has fallen to two strong opponents, Pittsburgh and Baltimore, in consecutive weeks.
The Giants will still be down running back Saquon Barkley, lost for the season with a torn ACL. His successor at Penn State, Eagles feature back Miles Sanders, also will miss the game with a knee injury. The teams are dealing with other key injuries, too.
How will this matchup of mistake-prone grinding offenses led by Carson Wentz and Daniel Jones play out?
Here's everything to know about betting on Giants vs. Eagles in Week 7, including updated odds, trends and our prediction for "Thursday Night Football."
WEEK 7 NFL PICKS: Straight up | Against the spread
Giants vs. Eagles odds for 'Thursday Night Football'
- Spread: Eagles by 4.5
- Over/under: 45
- Point spread odds: Giants +200, Eagles -240
The Eagles opened the week as around 6-point favorites, but that line has gone down after both Sanders and tight end Zach Ertz (ankle) were ruled out for the game after getting hurt vs. Baltimore. The Giants have some momentum from winning a close game and losing a few other ones.
Giants vs. Eagles all-time series
The Eagles have a slim lead of 87-85-2 in the long-time battle of regional rivals, split down the middle in New Jersey, between Philadelphia and New York. The Eagles actually were well behind before they won 7 in a row and 11 of the last 12. The last time the Giants won was in November 2016. There have been some recent blowouts, but the games tend to be close and give rise to crazy, memorable moments. This is the first time Giants coach Joe Judge gets a taste of it opposite Doug Pederson.
Three trends to know
— 69 percent of bettors like the Eagles to cover the number, especially with the line going down nearly two points.
— 61 percent of bettors like the total to go over, despite the banged-up nature of the offenses and two tricky defenses.
— The Giants are 3-3 against the spread this season. The Eagles are 2-4 against the spread this season and 2-4 against the spread in the past six meetings.
Three things to watch
James Bradberry vs. Travis Fulgham
The Giants spent a ton of money to sign Bradberry away from the Panthers in the offseason and he has paid off big-time for a struggling secondary otherwise, He's been a true shutdown cornerback with his tight coverage. At 6-1, 212 pounds, he has the size and speed to contain Fulgham, Wentz's new go-to wide receiver, who stands 6-2, 216 pounds. The Eagles are getting help on the other side with the return of speedy veteran DeSean Jackson, which will help their big-play ability.
Darius Slay vs. Darius Slayton
The simliarly named players will be the wide receiver-cornerback matchup to watch on the other side. With Sterling Shepard (toe) a game-day decision on whether he's activated off injured reserve, Slayton might be the Giants' unquestioned outside No. 1 for Jones again. Slay doesn't travel the way Bradberry does, but it makes sense for him to lock up on Slayton because of his experience to handle field-stretchers.
Eagles defensive line vs. Giants defense line
The Eagles' defensive strength is their front four, anchored by ends Derek Barnett and Brandon Graham and defensive tackle Fletcher Cox. The Giants' offensive line has struggled in front of Jones with first-round left tackle Andrew Thomas taking rookie lumps. Jones was sacked four times in his first game against the Eagles as a rookie last Week 17.
Stats that matter
3.7 and 4.1. Those are the average yards per carry the Giants and Eagles are giving up, respectively, in the running game. Overall the Giants are No. 8 against the run while the Eagles are No. 21. Much of the damage done on the Eagles was by Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson last week, however. Coincidentally, Jones has been the Giants' leading rusher with Barkley out. Yards may be tough to come by in this game, so it comes down to Wentz and Jones willing things to happen with their arm and legs.
Giants vs. Eagles prediction
The Eagles' defense is solid save for linebacker. The Giants' defense has been better than expected except for the non-Bradberry secondary. It's hard to expect too many points here with the teams limited on playmakers. Wentz has been playing better of late despite mistakes and Jones hasn't done much since Week 1, and that contrast in QB play is the slightest difference in the end.
Eagles 20, Giants 17
