NFL Football
2012-12-09 - New Orleans Saints at New York Giants
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NFL Football
Sunday 9 December 2012 - Kick Off 4:25pm
9:25pm (British Time)
Preview
Just when you think the New York Giants (7-5) are going to run away with the NFC East and book their place in the Play Off, they suffer another disappointing defeat and are in a for a real fight in their Division. They might be facing a team that is almost out of the Play Off picture in the New Orleans Saints (5-7), but one that is going to be desperate in this one.
The Saints and the Giants are both coming off disappointing defeats to rival teams in nationally televised games. New Orleans were beaten in Atlanta by 10 points as Drew Brees threw 5 interceptions, a career high. New York were beaten by Washington on Monday Night Football to allow their Divisional rivals back into the NFC East race.
Eli Manning and the Giants seemed to be rolling effectively against the Redskins, but penalties, the most committed in two years, cost them Offensive drives and saw them essentially pay for those mistakes. I am expecting Manning to bounce back with a huge game in this one as the Saints Defense has been an aberration and he has too many weapons in the passing game to be stopped.
However, Sean Locklear and David Diel could be missing in this one for the Offensive Line and that is one area the Saints may be able to take advantage of. That could be negated by the rushing game the Giants can employ as the Saints have allowed 5.1 yards per carry so I expect the New York Giants to move the ball all day long.
I also expect similar things from Drew Brees who should bounce back from a couple of terrible performances that have cost the New Orleans Saints 2 games in a row. The Giants pass Defense has been abused this season and the Saints can call on enough Offensive weapons to move the chains effectively through the air.
New Orleans' Offensive Line has had a hard time recently as Brees has been under intense pressure so I imagine they will look to run the ball here to ensure the pass rush is at least being kept honest. The Giants have struggled to stop teams running on them as they have allowed over 120 yards per game on the ground so I expect both teams to have a lot of success when they have the ball and it could come down to last team with the ball wins.
Head to Head
New Orleans have beaten New York 3 times in a row, although the last 2 both came at the Superdome.
Last season, the Saints knocked off the Giants by 25 points at home.
Prediction
This looks like a lot of points to be given to the New Orleans Saints as I expect Drew Brees to be better than he was against the Atlanta Falcons last week.
I also really believe this could come down to which team has the ball last and I just fancy a field goal to decide the winner. The Giants can be abused through the air and I think that is why the Saints will keep up with them, while the short week would not have helped New York's preparations.
It looks like too many points for New Orleans here and I'll take them to keep this close at least and maybe even keep their Play Off hopes alive.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
New York Giants 34-31 New Orleans Saints
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
I'll back the New Orleans Saints +5 Points @ 1.95
