NFL - Philadelphia (3-6) at NY Giants (6-3)

Ch4, Monday November 21st, 1.15am

Vick is out, and the Eagles are nearly done. Eli Manning is beginning to look like a top QB and the Giants look like they may contend and putting away a divisional rival at home will improve that case no end. Philadelphia specialise in the 4^th quarter collapse, whereas Manning has become a final quarter hero.

So I’m taking the Eagles.

Vick has driven me bananas all year, and I’m not going to pretend that Young is an upgrade, but I have a feeling his team will rally to the flag in what is essentially their season deciding game. The Giants have 30 sacks on the season, but Young is mobile and if he can mix it up with LeSean McCoy, who can exploit New York’s 20^th ranked run D, he has some dangerous offensive weapons downfield.

The return of DeSean Jackson means the Eagles can both stretch the field, bring other receivers into play and look for the long ball with Young’s arm. For some reason, the Eagles seem entranced by the big play; well Young can get it there, but Jackson has to make the grab. There’s no doubt the Giants’ secondary is patchy, so it can be attacked, particularly their safeties, although Maclin is a big miss.

Philly must stop the run; they must plug the gaps in their defense. Brandon Jacobs will carry the ball for the Giants, but there have been signs in the last four games that that aspect of the Eagles defense is coming together.

Manning is having a career season, but I’ve never really trusted him; if the Eagles could just put all their talent on the defensive side of the ball in the right places, they’d be a much more dangerous unit, but as it is they have 26 sacks this season and can bring pressure against a shaky, nicked up Giants offensive line – Eli is prone to throw picks with the hammer down.

This is an even riskier pick than usual, as much of it is based on how I think Philadelphia will react in this situation – if they have any other mind set, they could get their doors blown off and make me look a right Charlie, but I’ll take the points.

Pick: Eagles+6.5 @ 1.91; -110; 10/11

Pick: 1^st TD Brent Celek @ 15.0; 1400; 14/1

Mario Manningham @ 13.0; 1200; 12/1

Pick: Anytime TD Brent Celek @ 2.8; 180; 9/4