Welcome to “Mac’s Picks for Week 9.”
New York Giants (4-2-1) at Philadelphia Eagles (2-6)
Sunday 1p FOX
Should the Giants be all-in on Jonathan Taylor? Or should they pursue help around the margins by looking for another receiver or a defensive tackle? With the NFL Trade Deadline approaching — Tuesday, November 10, 4p ET — there’s seemingly more focus on who Big Blue may acquire than on a rivalry game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Under normal circumstances, that would make Sunday’s contest a classic trap game. Of course, under normal circumstances Jalen Hurts or Tanner McKee would be under center for Philly and not Joe Milton. After short stints with the New England Patriots and Dallas Cowboys, the former Tennessee Volunteer QB is about to make his first start in the NFL.
There’s nothing “normal” about this season for the Eagles as they are riding a six-game losing streak which has seen them outscored by 71 points. They are ranked 27th defensively, giving up 367.3 yards per game and dead last offensively, gaining only 265 yards per game. JJ McCarthy should be able to secure his second consecutive victory.
New York Giants 24 Philadelphia Eagles 13
Mac’s Pick — Giants (-3.5)
New York Jets (2-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-2)
Sunday 1p CBS
Losing back-to-back home games to the Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders was made more frustrating due to the talent that the New York Jets have compiled on the offensive side of the football. Assuming they hold on to their assets, as we urge them to do in “4 Things Jets: Countdown to the NFL Trade Deadline”, they will enter the offseason needing only long-term solutions at center and quarterback.
You can’t say the same about Aaron Glenn’s defense, which lacks high-end talent even when their three top defensive linemen — David Bailey, Joseph Ossai, and T’Vondre Sweat — are healthy. Unfortunately, Sweat and Ossai will miss Sunday’s game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Patrick Mahomes has rebounded well from last season’s left knee injury to currently rank 8th in QBR (67.4). He has Kansas City 5th in total yards per game (383.1) and 11th in points per game (23.9). Vintage Mahomes or not, Gang Green is going to have a difficult time keeping the Chiefs off the scoreboard. The only question is: will Geno Smith put up enough points to cover?
Kansas City 31 New York Jets 23
Mac’s Pick — Jets (+9.5)
MAC’S PICKS SEASON RECORD
Versus the point spread: 7-8
On the moneyline: 8-6-1
MAC’S PICKS DISCLAIMER
Mac’s Picks is written for entertainment purposes only. While “Mac” comes from gambling lineage, he knows he can’t actually predict the future. Therefore, use this information at your own risk.
ICYMI ““4 Things Jets: Countdown to the NFL Trade Deadline””