Oft-berated Manning, Giants getting lots of love

In the NFL, a quarterback's image can change in an instant. Eli Manning of the New York Giants is an example of that.

Manning often has been beleaguered and booed, not to mention criticized for being nothing more than a mediocre player with a famous last name. But then he won his first playoff game, last week at Tampa Bay, and suddenly the public's perception of him is changing.

Manning leads the Giants against the Dallas Cowboys today in an NFC divisional playoff game that has many bettors believing an upset is possible.

The Cowboys are 71/2-point home favorites. But the Giants are getting the majority of the wagering support.

"Everybody right now loves how the Giants are playing," Sunset Station sports book director Micah Roberts said. "The public has that perception ... there's going to be one upset, and this is going to be it with the Giants."

Roberts said the ticket count has favored the Giants by about a 3-to-1 ratio.

Vegas Insider handicapper Mark Franco also likes New York's chances after losing two regular-season games to the Cowboys. Franco (francosportspicks.com) is siding with the underdog in a rematch of NFC East rivals.

The Giants are 8-0 on the road, including their playoff victory, since a season-opening 45-35 setback at Dallas.

"Manning played well in Dallas, throwing for four touchdowns with one interception, and I think he will hold his own and hang in there against this Cowboys defense," Franco said.

New York (11-6) has covered five of its past six games and is 7-2 against the spread on the road.

Dallas (13-3) has taken a turn for the worse, getting outgained in three of its past four games while going 2-2 straight up and 0-4 against the spread.

And speaking of a quarterback's perception, Cowboys star Tony Romo suddenly is hearing the critics. Romo played poorly in December, then took off last week for a vacation in Mexico with girlfriend Jessica Simpson.

The off-field drama created by the quarterback being dubbed Tony "Romeo" is a supposed distraction for the Dallas team, but Franco said the on-field matchups are much more important -- and they might favor New York.

The Giants' fierce pass rush, led by Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, is capable of harassing Romo, who threw 19 interceptions this season. One of Romo's favorite receivers, Terrell Owens, is hobbled by an injury.

"Owens is still nursing a high ankle sprain, but his ego is very much intact, so expect him to play," Franco said. "If his big-play potential is limited, so will be the offense of the Cowboys."

Franco pointed out that, before Saturday's games, home favorites were 2-10 against the spread the past three years in the divisional round of the playoffs.

Dallas coach Wade Phillips is 0-3 straight up and against the spread in the postseason as a head coach in Buffalo and Denver.

While the Giants are the public's choice, so are the Indianapolis Colts in today's AFC showdown.

The Colts are up to 10-point home favorites over the San Diego Chargers, after the line opened at 71/2.

As for betting interest in the Chargers, Roberts said he has seen "not much at all." Roberts said the biggest wagers at Station Casinos showed up on the Colts at minus-8.

San Diego won the first meeting, 23-21 on Nov. 11, in what widely was considered a fluke game. Peyton Manning threw six interceptions, and the Colts were coming off an exhausting loss to New England the previous week.

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2907.