Monday, November 20, 2006

New York Giants at Jacksonville Jaguars – Alltell Stadium (Grass)

For the second week in-a-row, the Giants are on prime time (they lost to the Bears 38-20 on Sunday Night Football last week) and will be desperate for a win. A second straight loss won’t sit well with coach Tom Coughlin and will drop them into a tie with the Cowboys for the NFC East division lead.

According to reports, Jacksonville’s QB situation got clarified on Sunday. After rumors circulated earlier in the week, that Byron Leftwich might line up behind center against New York, the rumors were put to rest (see Key Injuries).

Records: New York 6-3 (5-4 ATS), Jacksonville 5-4 (5-4 ATS)

Game Time: 8:30 PM EST

Line: Jaguars -4 (Opening: Jags -3)

Over/Under: 38 (Unchanged)

Key Injuries: The usual suspects remain banged up for the Giants:

CB Sam Madison will miss yet another game with a hamstring injury.

WR Sinorice Moss’ quad continues to bother him and even though he made practice on Friday, wasn’t sure if he would see any Monday night action.

DE Michael Strahan said he will be back from his foot injury sooner than later, but not in time for Monday’s game.

Fellow End Osi Umenyiora is listed as doubtful with a hip injury and most likely won’t see any action.

Add OT Luke Petitgout to the wounded list. He broke his fibula against the Bears and is out.

WR David Tyree is questionable with groin injury.

It’s not all bad news from the Big Apple though.

Soon-to-be-retired RB Tiki Barber will play even though he has a cast on his right thumb.

LB Carlos Emmons seems sufficiently healed from a groin injury as he practiced all week.

The Jaguars will start David Garrard at QB, after word came down, via the Florida Times Union, that Leftwich will have surgery on his ankle Tuesday and will not see any action on Monday night.

Other injuries of note include OT Stockar McDougle (questionable, ankle), S Donovin Darius (questionable, knee) and P Chris Hanson and LB Jorge Cordova (both questionable with hamstring injuries).

RB Fred Taylor (groin) and CB Rashean Mathis (hamstring), DE Marcellus Wiley and CB Terry Cousin (both groin) are all probable.

Monday Night Numbers and Trends
* courtesy of everyedge.com

New York is 9-23 ATS as underdogs in November.

The Giants are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 road games.

They are also 8-16-1 ATS as a visitor on Monday night.

Jacksonville is 4-0 ATS as a favorite of less than seven points on Monday night.

They are also 9-2-1 ATS before back-to-back road games, since they play at Buffalo and Miami next.

Jacksonville lost to the Houston last week by a score of 13-10 and are 6-1 ATS following a matchup against the Texans.

Additional Numbers and Stats

The Jags' loss to the Texans last week might be a blessing in disguise. They’ve cashed in 85 percent of their last 13 following a game where they put 14 points or less on the scoreboard.

The Giants don’t like being dogged on Monday night as they have cashed in only six out of their last 18 in that situation.

The Jags are 16-6 ATS when playing against teams from the NFC at Alltell.

November has not been a month to remember for the Giants as they are 20-37 against the number.

Jacksonville is 3-1 ATS on Monday nights when favored.

The Jaguars have the fourth best defense in the entire NFL, allowing only 283.3 yards a game.

The Giants have the tenth best, allowing 306.7 a game.

Jacksonville QB David Garrard is 2-1 since taking over for Byron Leftwich.

Winneronline Opinion: Historically, the Giants shrink in the month of November and the fact that Michael Strahan is out along with Sam Madison doesn’t make a case for New York any stronger. The Jags thrive on Monday night, so look for Jacksonville to take this one ATS.