NFL Football
2011-09-19 - St Louis Rams at New York Giants
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NFL Football Week 2
Monday 19 September 2011 - Kick Off 8:30pm ET
1:30am (British Standard Time)
Preview
Both of these teams lost to NFC East rivals, although that is more costly to the New York Giants (0-1) than it is for the St Louis Rams (0-1). Both teams had mighty struggles in Week 1, and ended as comfortable losers and now they meet on Monday Night Football for the nations pleasure.
The biggest talking point of the week for both teams is the amount of injuries their clubs are facing.
New York lost some key personnel in the preseason in the Defensive Secondary and they were lit up by Rex Grossman and Washington in Week 1 (not something I would have expected to say). There was some better news that Justin Tuck will return to the team in Monday after missing last week to provide a better pass rush but Osi Umenyiora is most likely to be out.
Tuck will provide some penetration in the backfield, but the Secondary still looks like it can be taken advantage of, although whether the Rams can is another story.
Sam Bradford hurt a finger on his throwing hand last week in the loss to the Eagles, although he should be good to go on Monday. He will not have Steven Jackson in the backfield and instead will hand the ball to Cadillac Williams, while Danny Amendola (WR) is another doubt.
The Rams made plenty of miscues last week, dropping passes that could have led to some big plays, and the loss of Amendola will effect the passing game this week.
The Defensive unit have not got a clear bill of health either as Corner Ron Bartell is out for the season and Bradley Fletcher is suffering a toe injury that could see him coming in and out of the game.
Steve Spagnuola, the Head Coach of the Rams and former Defensive Co-Ordinator of the Giants, has described this as the worst injury list he has seen since joining the Rams.
Any thoughts that the Giants will take advantage of these injuries have to be put on the back burner as it looks like Eli Manning will be without Hakeem Nicks, his top receiving target. This is very likely going to have an effect on the ease in which the Giants can move the chains this week.
Head to Head
St Louis were crushed by 28 points the last time they played against the Giants in 2008, that game taking place at home.
The last time they played in New York, the Giants were 20 point winners in 2005.
The Giants are 5-0 against the spread in the last 5 meetings between the teams.
Both teams are 0-1 against the spread this season.
Other Interesting Notes
New York are 3-7-1 against the spread in their last 11 games as the home favourite of between 3.5 and 10 points.
They have lost their last 4 games against the spread against teams from the NFC.
St Louis are 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games as the road underdog being given between 3.5 and 10 points.
They are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 games following an ATS loss.
79% of the wagers made in Vegas have been made on the New York Giants.
Prediction
I am finding it hard to separate the teams against the spread as both have their chances to do so, but the injuries on both sides of the ball makes it tough to know exactly how the game will be played out.
What I do think is we will not see a deluge of points unless there are a lot of turnovers so I am looking at the 'Under 44 Points' market.
I expect both sides to try and control the ball on the ground and that could take plenty of time off the clock. This rushing game will be the best way for both teams to move the chains as the receiving corps are hurting and so I think it will not be a heavy scoring game.
It could be a game that is eventually settled by 1-2 TDs and so I will have a go on the Unders here.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
New York Giants 20-13 St Louis Rams
