Sunday in the Big Easy when the 4-0 Saints host 5-0 New York in a battle of unbeaten teams, Giants quarterback Eli Manning finally makes his NFL debut in the city of New Orleans, the place were he grew up. His father, Archie, quarterbacked the Saints when Manning was a youngster, and his parents live just minutes from the Superdome.
It is not often that we see a undefeated team sitting as the underdog this far into the season, but that is exactly what Manning and his Giants will face heading into this match-up with an excellent Saints team.
NFL odds makers are calling New Orleans the favorite in this one as the Vegas line is at, Saints -3 with the total in the game set at 47.5.
There should be a lot of emotion surrounding the Giants signal caller, but Manning knows that there is so much more at stake in this game than is homecoming.
"I am excited about it," Manning said. "First time playing in the Superdome, ever, for any level of football. I am excited about getting the opportunity...Two undefeated teams. It should be a great atmosphere."
As good as both of these teams have looked thus far, they each have one-loss teams breathing down their necks for the division lead. Despite being in week 6 of a 16 game regular season schedule, today's match-up could have serious playoff implications.
Look for the Saints and quarterback Drew Brees to start fast. Former Giant Jeremy Shockey has been healthy and emerged as one of Brees' favorite targets. Shockey will face his old team for the first time since the tight end was traded to New Orleans shortly before training camps opened in 2008.
Manning and Brees rank second and third in quarterback rating this season and I think this will be one of those games where defense get thrown out the window despite how well they have played as of late.
There will be a lot of points scored in this one. Take the over 47.5 in this one.