The Giants defense allowed 24 points in the first half, 24 points in the second half and 253 rush yards in a 48-22 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. New York has just one win over its past six games and fell to 7-5-1 overall and 9-4 against the spread after failing to cover as 7-point home dogs.

When we last saw the Commanders, ahead of their Week 14 BYE, they tied the Giants two weeks ago, 20-20. Washington is 6-1-1 over their past eight games and 7-5-1 against the spread this season behind solid quarterback play by Taylor Heinicke and an elite defense.

Line Movement

The Commanders opened as 4-point home favorites, but ticked up as high as Washington -4.5 at best online sportsbooks we follow. The Giants moneyline odds are anywhere between +170 and +180 to start the week. The over-under point total opened at 40, but dipped to 39.5 at some outlets. The UNDER has cashed in eight of the Commanders last 11 games and nine of their last 11 HOME games.

The Giants are 6-2 ATS against the Commanders over their past eight meetings.

Giants News and Notes

• Week 13 vs. the Commanders – Good, Bad and the Ugly
  • Good: Five sacks, 10 QB hits and one turnover forced
  • Bad: Saquon Barkley wasn’t the leading rusher on 18 carries
  • Ugly: 4-for-13 on third downs
• Barkley played against the Eagles after suffering a “stinger” neck injury during practice last week.
  • He was quoted as saying he felt “pretty good” after the game, which – at best – means he’s 75% because NFL players typically like the claim their fine when 85-90%, right?
• Eagles running back Miles Sanders gashed the Giants front seven for 144 yards and two touchdowns on just 17 carries.
• New York has one win during its last six games. They’re averaging 19.5 points per game during that stretch.
  • When they started the season 6-1, the Giants averaged 21.4.
  • They are who they are offensively. Uber vanilla.
• Daniel Jones has passed for 200-or-fewer yards in nine of the Giants 13 games, but he’s already set a season high for rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. Danny isn’t throwing often enough to earn that “Dimes” moniker these days.

Commanders News and Notes

• Week 13 vs. the Giants - Good, Bad and the Ugly
  • Good: Brian Robinson 96 rush yards, 165 as a team, won time of possession 2-to-1
  • Bad: Taylor Heinicke two fumbles, one lost
  • Ugly: 3-for-14 on third downs, only two red zone trips in 41 TOP minutes
• Defensive pass rusher Chase Young is expected to make his season debut after tearing his ACL last season.
  • He had 7.5 sacks in 15 games last season prior to his injury.
  • Daniel Jones was sacked seven times by the Eagles in Week 14.
  • He was sacked four times by the Commanders in Week 13.
  • New York’s o-line allows 3.4 sacks per game, tied for third most in NFL.
• Carson Wentz was activated off injured reserve, but will remain a back-up to Taylor Heinicke.
• During their recent hot stretch of six wins in eight games, the Commanders average margin of victory is 6.3 points.
  • Their only loss was by 3 to the Vikings.
• Washington leads the NFL in time of possession per game at better than 33 minutes.
• Commanders defense ranks third in third-down defense as opposing offenses have converted less than 34% of them this season.
• Over the past three games, the Commanders rank fourth in rush yards per game (164.7).
  • Giants rank 29^th against the rush.

Betting Pick: Fade Pick OR Commanders -4.5

I hate everything to do with this Sunday night matchup. NFC East matchups are tough to handicap to begin with, but for these two teams to meet twice in three weeks and to have one coming off a BYE is a recipe for heartbreak. The addition of Chase Young to the pass rush aside, I’m leaning on the Commanders – with fresher legs – to run the ball down the throats of the Giants. New York just doesn’t have the playmakers to keep pace with this elite defense should they fall behind.