Sunday's Giants-Bears game in Chicago - with New York a -1.5 (39) betting favorite on WagerWeb.com - has mostly been dissected by national critics as a matchup of teams with two puzzling, inconsistent quarterbacks, and that's certainly true.
Giants QB Eli Manning of course is in the league's top market and, worse for him, he is clearly not his brother, Peyton. Eli threw four interceptions last week (three returned for touchdowns) as the Giants were surprisingly routed at home by the Vikings, a performance that even had Giants GM Jerry Reese calling Manning's play "skittish."
Manning's passer rating of 75 ranks 24th in the NFL. No player has thrown more interceptions than his 15. He is averaging 6.4 yards per pass, which ranks 25th in the NFL. And his 58.5 completion percentage ranks 27th in the NFL. And he seems to regress later in each season after fast starts.
Manning, who has six interceptions and three touchdowns in his last three games, was grilled by the New York media for his terrible game. He is trying to put that game behind him.
"Our focus is on Chicago and getting ready for this game," Manning said. "We have talked about it, we have made some corrections from last week, and now we have put it behind us and move on. Our focus is on Chicago, going there, and playing well."
Rex Grossman, meanwhile, has been OK since returning as a starter. A late fumble of his cost the Bears in a loss at Seattle, and last week Grossman 17-of-33 for 193 yards and a touchdown against the Broncos. However, he also threw an interception and fumbled in is second game back as the starter. Grossman has been sacked 19 times in six games this season after being sacked 20 times in 16 games last year - and the Giants lead the league with 38 sacks.Grossman won't have top running back Cedric Benson today, as Benson was hurt last week and lost for the season. Adrian Peterson (the other one) will start and actually provides Chicago with a more well-rounded option than Benson, who isn't much of a receiver.
New York will be missing some key players: Cornerback Aaron Ross, safety Gibril Wilson and running back Brandon Jacobs will not play because of injuries. (NFL Injury Report)
Ross, the Giants' first-round draft pick, aggravated a hamstring injury in last weekend's loss to Minnesota and did not practice all week. Gibril missed practice on Thursday and Friday with a knee injury. Jacobs will miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury. Reuben Droughns started last week, but it is likely that that Derrick Ward will return to the lineup this week. He has been bothered by ankle and groin problems. Ward started three games earlier this year after Jacobs went down in the season opener with a knee injury.
The Giants do get good news on the injury front, however, as the New York Daily News writes that WR Plaxico Burress (questionable, ankle/knee) "will play".
The lowdown: Manning went 14-of-32 for 121 yards and two picks in the Bears' 38-20 win at Giants Stadium last Nov. 12. . The Bears are averaging almost two yards fewer per passing attempt this year as opposed to 2006. . The Chicago secondary ranks 25th in the league and has only seven INTs, but CB Nathan Vasher could play today for the first time in two months. .The wintry weather in the Midwest will definitely affect this game, but I look for the Bears to win outright. They need this game more: The Giants still lead the wild-card race, and Chicago almost needs to win out to get a chance to defend its NFC championship. With two unpredictable QBs and some possible windy, cold weather, look for a low-scoring game.
New York Giants vs Chicago Bears betting trends
The Giants are 6-5 ATS.
The Giants are 3-2 ATS away.
The Giants are 3-3 ATS as the favorite.
The Giants are 1-1 ATS as an away favorite.
The Bears are 4-7 ATS.
The Bears are 1-4 ATS at home.
The Bears are 2-2 ATS as the underdog.
The Bears have not been a home underdog.
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