Malik Nabers has been tearing through secondaries for a month. The Giants receiver has reached 111 yards in four straight games, including seven catches for 111 at Houston in quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s first New York start. McCarthy completed 20 of 28 passes for 252 yards before their bye, although he did not throw a touchdown. Philadelphia is asking quarterback Joe Milton III to establish that sort of connection considerably faster: he makes his first NFL start Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field, three weeks after joining the Eagles. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for this week’s NFL game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
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Eagles vs. Giants prediction, preview
Milton will be missing receivers DeVonta Smith and Dontayvion Wicks. Philadelphia’s defense has lost cornerbacks Jonathan Jones and Michael Carter II, too, leaving fewer coverage options against Nabers. Giants offensive coordinator Matt Nagy ought to move his best receiver around and let McCarthy attack those openings early. Tackles Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor are cleared, giving New York their starting pair to protect McCarthy when Nagy sends Nabers deeper. Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter can still wreck those longer dropbacks from inside. McCarthy has to release the ball before Carter reaches him.
New York probably loses the back who helped spare McCarthy those situations at Houston. Cam Skattebo is doubtful with a hamstring injury after rushing for 124 yards; Tyrone Tracy Jr. is on injured reserve. Devin Singletary put Houston away with a 30-yard burst in overtime, immediately after Skattebo’s 42-yard run. Singletary finished with 41 yards on five carries; New York will need considerably more work from him if Skattebo sits. Philadelphia has allowed backs 115.8 rushing yards per game, giving Nagy reason to hand off before asking McCarthy to escape Carter’s rush.
Philadelphia can hit back through running back Saquon Barkley. The Giants have conceded 4.8 yards per carry, and Milton can punish defenders who chase Barkley inside by escaping around the edge. Barkley carries no designation, but his recent hamstring and back trouble preceded a 32% snap share against Washington. Reserve Elijah Mitchell played 56% and has been elevated again. Coach Nick Sirianni needs that pair gaining ground early, before New York can turn Milton’s debut into an afternoon of third-and-long.
Giants vs. Eagles pick, best bet
Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter should be hunting those downs. Philadelphia is missing right tackle Lane Johnson and center Cam Jurgens; Milton has had little time to learn his way through the protection calls. Rookie receiver Makai Lemon has caught six passes in consecutive games, with tight end Dallas Goedert available underneath. Milton can work through them if the ball comes out promptly. New York held Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud to 153 passing yards, though he still threw two touchdowns. Hurrying Milton into a short throw only helps if New York tackles Lemon before he rescues the down.
I expect Milton to salvage some possessions with his legs and find Lemon often enough to make New York tackle. Asking him to match McCarthy and Nabers through this depleted line is too much. Singletary’s expanded workload leaves the Giants with their own uncertainty, so I’m expecting a competitive game rather than a rout. Philadelphia should eventually have to chase it through the air, with Abdul Carter attacking the weaker protection. I’ll lay three at -112.
Best bet: Giants -3 (-112)
Projected score: Giants 24, Eagles 17.
