Giants-Eagles odds: Giants will be underdogs at home vs. Eagles

The New York Giants came close to a late road win against the Carolina Panthers in Week 5, losing in the final seconds thanks to a 63-yard Graham Gano field goal. But close doesn’t count in the NFL; the Giants are still a one-win team, and while they return to their home-field in Week 6, the lines aren’t giving the team much of an advantage.

The visiting Philadelphia Eagles opened as 2.5-point favorites and, as of Tuesday, they are now favored by three points at both Bovada.lv as well as 5dimes.eu.

The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles, at 2-3, aren’t as formidable as expected to open the season. They’ve scored just 103 points — one fewer than the Giants — through five games, and their injury-ravaged running backs cadre has left quarterback Carson Wentz vulnerable, having taken 12 sacks in three games.

The Giants surprisingly surpassed the 30-point mark on the road against Carolina, a total the Eagles have yet to reach this season. While that doesn’t mean the Giants will reprise the performance on Thursday, that they managed it just days ahead of their divisional rivals coming to town is, at the very least, a morale boost.

And the NFC East remains up for grabs with the rest of the division at two wins apiece. The Giants still have a reason to fight. On offense, lean on Saquon Barkley as both a rusher and receiver, and on defense, force Wentz to throw and then bring the pressure: It’s a not-so-complicated way to a win.

While smart money is on the Eagles early, that may not be the reality of the situation come Thursday night. As disappointing as the Giants have been this season, being at home on a short week against a slumping Philadelphia squad could do the team a world of good.