Michael Vick is the hottest thing in the NFL since, well, maybe Michael Vick, about five years ago. The quarterback put on a helluva show Monday night in DC, and he'll try to do something similar when he and his Philadelphia Eagles host the New York Giants in a fight for first place in the NFC East on Sunday night (8:20 pm Eastern, NBC).
Earlier this week
BetJamaica.com opened the Eagles at -3 for Sunday night's game, with an OVER/UNDER of 48.5. And as of Friday morning the only change had been the dropping of the hook off the total.
Philly is also moneylined at BetJam at -195, with the G-Men getting +165 to win straight up.
Philadelphia started this season 2-2, but thanks in large part to some great play from Vick, has won four of five since. Monday night the Eagles scored touchdowns on their first five possessions on their way to a 59-28 thumping of the Redskins.
The Giants opened the season 1-2, then won five straight. But last week New York got caught peeking past Dallas, and it cost them, as the G-Men fell at home to the Cowboys 33-20.
So the Eagles and Giants are tied for first place in the NFC East, each at 6-3, one game back of the Atlanta Falcons in the battle for the best record in the conference.
Hard to believe that 21 months in prison can make a quarterback a better player, but in Vick's case it's true. Before serving time Vick had completed less than 54% of his passes as a pro, and compiled a 72/52 TD/INT ratio. So far this year he's hitting almost 63% of his throws for an 11/0 TD/INT ratio, and he's averaging 57 YPG rushing. Suddenly, Vick is a leading candidate for league MVP.
Philly swept the season series from New York last year by scores of 40-17 and 45-38. Donovan McNabb, who's of course now with Washington, quarterbacked the Eagles to both of those victories.
Those two games both played OVER their posted totals on the BetJam NFL betting boards. But five of the six previous meetings between these two teams had gone UNDER the totals.
Philly has also won the last four games vs. the Giants, including a playoff game in New Jersey two seasons ago.
These two teams meet again December 19 in Week 15 at the new Meadowlands.
The Eagles began this season getting +1,300 at
BetJamaica.com to win the NFC championship, and +2,800 to win the Super Bowl. As of Friday morning Philly has been bet down to +400 to win the conference and +900 to win the Super Bowl.
The Giants went off this year getting +1,400 to win the NFC and +2,800 to win the Super Bowl. As of Friday morning New York, just like Philadelphia, is listed at +400 to win the conference title and +900 to win The Big One.