NFL: Week 6 Preview
It might well be two teams struggling for results, but what better way to start Week 6 in the NFL than with an NFC East grudge match on Friday.
OBJ on the up as Eagles down on running backs
The New York Giants may have suffered a 33-31 defeat on the road against the Carolina Panthers last time out, but they will be delighted with the return to form of wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
It was Beckham Jr who almost single-handedly helped the Giants win on the road in Carolina, but unfortunately for New York the rest of the team don’t seem to be up to the same standards as him.
That was the 25-year-old’s comments over the weekend, which have not gone down well in certain quarters, and it will be interesting to see how his team-mates and coach respond for the clash with rivals Philadelphia.
The Eagles themselves were edged out in Week 5, against the Minnesota Vikings, in what has been a running theme of failing to get over the line in games this season.
Another theme for the reigning Super Bowl champions has been the struggling running game and a knee injury to Jay Ajayi will certainly give head coach Doug Pederson more headaches.
The Giants have a poor record against the Eagles, having won just once in their last eight meetings. However, New York – who are 2.40 for the win – will be sniffing a scalp this weekend and will add to Philadelphia’s current Super Bowl hangover, if Beckham Jr can have another stormer.
The Rams to keep on rolling
The Los Angeles Rams remain one of two teams that remain unbeaten in the NFL this season and they will be determined to keep that roll going when they make the trip to Mile High on Sunday.
Quarterback Jared Goff leads the way for passing this season with an impressive 1727 yards, while the Rams are currently the best overall offence in the NFL with 2342 yards.
Goff and co will fancy their chances against a struggling Denver Broncos side that are ranked 27th out of 32 in yards conceded so far this term.
A 34-16 defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers the New York Jets last time out will have done Denver no favours in terms of confidence ahead of the Rams’ arrival.
What the Broncos do have going for them is a strong rushing game, with the Colorado franchise securing the second highest yards on the ground (685), only behind the Cleveland Browns (723).
Phillip Lindsay and Royce Freeman have formed a strong partnership in the running game but the Broncos will have to wary of the Rams’ threat on the ground also, with Todd Gurley II the second ranked player for rushing yards this season.
This should be an extremely physical battle on the ground but with all the momentum currently in the favour of LA, it’s hard to see the Rams having their winning run cut short on Sunday.
The Rams are 1.93 to come out on top with a -6.5 handicap this weekend.
