New York Giants vs. Philadelphia Eagles 2016: Prediction, Betting Odds For Week 16 Thursday Night Football

The New York Giants are on the verge of reaching the playoffs for the first time in five years, and they could clinch a postseason berth before most of the Week 16 games get underway. New York visits the Philadelphia Eagles on “Thursday Night Football,” facing a team that has virtually nothing to play for.

Philadelphia is out of playoff contention, having lost seven of their last eight games. New York has won eight of their last nine contests, and they might be the biggest threats to the Dallas Cowboys in the NFC. With arguably the NFL’s best defense, the Giants are legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and they are 2.5-point road favorites in Week 16.

Overall, the Giants don’t rank very high in terms of total defense. Fourteen teams have allowed fewer yards than New York, and they aren’t in the top five against either the run or the pass. But the unit seemingly gets better every week, and it should have another big game against a struggling Eagles offense.

Since Week 7, the Giants have allowed fewer points per game (14.9) than any other team. New York is third overall in rushing yards allowed per attempt (3.6), but it’s the passing defense that has become the team’s strength. Since Week 5, New York’s opponents’ passer rating of 70.0 is tops in the league.

That’s certainly not good news for Carson Wentz, who hasn’t played like a competent starting quarterback in the second half of the season. Wentz has the NFL’s second-worst passer rating (70.2) since Week 6, trailing only rookie Jared Goff. Wentz was terrific during Philadelphia’s three-game winning streak to start the year, but he’s since come back down to earth, looking very much like the rookie that he is.

The Giants could be without arguably their two best defenders Thursday. Defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul has missed the last two games after groin surgery, and cornerback Janoris Jenkins might be out with a back injury. But in spite of the recent injuries, the Giants have put together their best defensive stretch of the season.

Allowing just 13 total points in wins against the Cowboys and Detroit Lions, New York hasn’t surrendered a touchdown in the last seven quarters. The defense might not have much trouble stopping a struggling rookie quarterback and one of the worst receiving corps in the league.

The Eagles scored 26 points against Baltimore’s No.4 ranked defense in Week 15, reaching their highest point total since Week 3. Wentz threw for just 170 yards and no scores, but Philadelphia took advantage of two Baltimore turnovers and 128 rushing yards by Ryan Matthews.

New York’s offense hasn’t been any better than Philadelphia's. The Giants haven’t scored more than 17 points in their last three games, and they rank 27th in total offense. The game’s over/under of 41.5 is one of the lowest in Week 16.

Led by Odell Beckham Jr., the Giants seem to always make just enough plays on offense to ride their defense to a victory. The wide receiver leads the NFL with 10 touchdowns since Week 5, including two scores in a 28-23 victory against the Eagles on Nov. 6.

Having to stop one of the league’s best playmakers while facing an elite defense might be too much for the Eagles to overcome, as the Giants continue their march towards a third Super Bowl in the last decade.

Prediction: New York over Philadelphia, 23-16