NFL Week Five Free Pick Analysis – Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants
The New York Giants (3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS, 2-1 O/U) and Seattle Seahawks (1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS, 3-0 O/U), are each coming off a Week 4 bye in the BetUS Sportsbook but that’s about the only thing these two teams have in common at this early stage of the season!
The Seahawks picked up their first win of the season in Week 3, beating the lowly St. Louis Rams 37-13 at home after allowing more than 30 points in dropping each of their opening two contests to the Bills and 49ers.
Despite their unimpressive SU and ATS records, the Seahawks are ranked just outside the top 10 in both, offense, (11th) and defense, (12th), but are minus three in the turnover department and are actually allowing more points per game, (26.7) than they are averaging, (25.7).
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is completing just 48.5 percent of his passes and has a quarterback rating, (60.1) that is ranked 30th in the league and the team’s leading receiver is unheralded tight end John Carlson who has grabbed 12 passes for a grand total of 168 yards. Seattle is also allowing a whopping 226.3 passing yards per game, ranked 25th overall.
The Giants had a closer-than-expected scare against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3, winning 26-23 in overtime on John Carney’s 22-yard field goal in overtime to move to a perfect 3-0 on the season.
While the G-Men have some flaws they hope to address as the season moves along, it’s hard to argue with the fact that New York is ranked a stellar fourth overall in both offense and defense!
While quarterback Eli manning doesn’t put up jaw-dropping passing numbers very often in Tom Coughlin’s mostly ball-control offense, I really like the maturation the young signal caller has shown over the past season and a half.
Ranked 12th overall, Manning has thrown just one interception to four touchdowns and has a respectable 91.1 passer rating.
Despite the loss of Hall of Fame-bound defensive lineman Michael Strahan, the Giants are ranked fourth against the pass, allowing just 167.7 yards per game through the air and have maintained an outstanding run defense as well, giving up just 84.7 rushing yards per game, seventh overall.
Here are some Key Head-to-Head Trends
Seattle is 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing NY Giants
Seattle is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against NY Giants
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the NY Giants last 6 games when playing Seattle
NY Giants are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle
Here are some key team trends
Seattle
Seattle is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Seattle is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle’s last 5 games
Seattle is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Seattle is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Seattle’s last 5 games on the road
New York
NY Giants are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games
NY Giants are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games
NY Giants are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games at home
NY Giants are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of the NY Giants last 8 games at home
Analysis: When online bettors look at this game, the numbers may suggest that the Seahawks will at least cover the spread in this road matchup against New York, but I say not this year! The fact of the matter is that the Seahawks are in big trouble this season because of their plethora of apparent problems on both sides of the ball.
While the Seahawks have recorded the league’s third-best rushing attack, Matt Hasselbeck is in the midst of what are likely his greatest struggles since becoming an established starter.
I fully expect the Giants defense to shut down Seahawks running backs Julius Jones and T.J. Duckett while harassing Hasselbeck into an error-filled day.
In short, I like the Giants to win this contest and cover the 7-point spread.
NFL Free Pick: Giants 28 Seahawks 17
Seattle Seahawks +7 -110
New York Giants -7 -110
