NEW YORK GIANTS (2-1)
at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (2-1)
Kickoff: Sunday, 8:30 p.m. EDT Line: Philadelphia -1½, Total: 47½ The Eagles look for yet another win over New York when the NFC East rivals clash on Sunday night. Philadelphia has won seven of the past eight games (SU and ATS) versus the Giants, but the road team has won each of the past three meetings. Philly has already turned it over an NFL-high 12 times, nine by QB Michael Vick who’s taking an absolute beating due to poor protection and his tendency to hold onto the ball. The Giants’ secondary is banged up; good news for Philly with WR Jeremy Maclin (hip) likely to return. The Giants were without key offensive players in WR Hakeem Nicks, OT David Diehl and RB Ahmad Bradshaw but still blasted the Panthers in Carolina last Thursday night, 36-7. Both Nicks (foot) and Bradshaw (neck) are expected to return for this game. Can the Eagles hold off the Super Bowl champs on Sunday night? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the StatFox Experts picks for every NFL game throughout the 2012 season and playoffs. Eli Manning has a losing record (7-9) in his career versus Philly, but his numbers are pretty strong: 3,632 passing yards (7.2 YPA), 27 TD and 17 INT. He was on fire in his last trip to Lincoln Financial Field last September, completing 16-of-23 passes for 254 yards, 4 TD and 0 INT in a 29-16 win. Victor Cruz caught two of those TD passes, which included a 74 yard score in the opening quarter. Bradshaw also had a huge game in Philly last year, totaling 139 yards on 15 carries and five catches, while adding a touchdown. Because of his neck injury that kept him out of last week’s game, Andre Brown also figures to get a good chunk of carries on Sunday. Brown rushed for 113 yards and 2 TD on 20 carries (5.7 YPC) in the 36-7 win at Carolina. Ramses Barden also turned in a stellar performance last week, catching nine passes for 138 yards. Barden will probably see much fewer than his team-high 10 targets with Nicks expected to return to the field. New York’s defense has forced seven turnovers during its two-game win streak and held the opposition to 139 rushing yards on 42 carries (3.3 YPC). However, they have a multitude of injuries in the secondary, most notably S Antrel Rolle (knee) and CBs Jayron Hosley (hamstring) who are doubtful to play. CBs Prince Amukamara (ankle) and Corey Webster (hand) are also hurting, but are listed as probable. Vick is 5-2 in his career against New York, throwing for 977 yards and 5 TD, while hurting the Giants more on the ground with 381 yards (6.8 YPC) and four touchdowns. Having Maclin back at his disposal will be huge, considering Maclin has 25 catches for 295 yards and 3 TD in four career meetings with New York. RB LeSean McCoy has also given the Giants fits with 619 total yards and 3 TD in six meetings. The Philly defense has been strong this season, ranking third in the NFL against the pass (173 YPG) and forcing six turnovers already. The run-stop unit held Arizona to 99 yards on 34 carries last week (2.9 YPC), and also stuffed the Giants when these teams last met in November, holding them to 29 yards on 17 carries. LB Akeem Jordan (hamstring) and S Colt Anderson (knee) are both questionable to suit up for this game.
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