Even 2011 Preakness Stakes betting can’t take attention away from the NFL, and there are things to talk about even without the lockout. Of course, no moves can be made until the situation is sorted out, but it’s always fun to think of what will happen when the time comes, and one of the most intriguing situations will surround free-agent cornerback Nmandi Asomugha, who likely won’t stay in Oakland.

Asomugha is definitely in the top three when it comes to cover corners in the NFL, alongside the Jets’ Darrelle Revis and Denver’s Champ Bailey, and you could argue that Asomugha is the best of the three. Asomugha had eight picks in 2006, but only three in the last four seasons because teams simply don’t challenge him anymore. It seems as though he is through with the Raiders, and Dallas and Philadelphia are the odds-on favorite to make a run at Asomugha, who is Louisiana-born but went to college at California. The Eagles desperately need a corner opposite Asante Samuel, who was tied for second in the NFL with seven picks last year, while the Cowboys, while the Cowboys were 26^th in the league against the pass.

When you look at the quarterbacks in the NFC East, Tony Romo (Dallas), Michael Vick (Philadelphia) and Eli Manning (New York Giants; we’re waiting to see what Washington tries to pull off), being a good pass-defending team is essential, and the team that picks up Osamugha will definitely boost their online sports betting odds.

The lead in the NFC East standings will be on the line when the New York Giants visit the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. New York, after powering through several substandard teams, dropped a home game to the lowly Dallas Cowboys last week while the Eagles spanked the fourth division team, Washington, on Monday night. Momentum may be in the favour of Philly, whose offense seems unstoppable, but nothing is certain in battles for control of the conference’s “Beast” division.

The priority for Coach Tom Coughlin’s Giants will be to contain Eagles quarterback Michael Vick, who has been the league’s best offensive player through 10 weeks. Good luck. Vick went off for 5 total scores in the first half of Monday’s revenge game against the Redskins and has been equally capable slinging the ball from the pocket as he has been tucking it and bursting for big runs. If any team is capable of troubling Vick it is these Giants, with their talented defensive line. Ends Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora are two of the NFL’s best at pressuring the quarterback and they have the athleticism to chase after or seal the edges against Vick. Still, the Giants have no linebacker who can come close to spying Vick effectively and their secondary will be tested by the quarterback’s arm and the Eagles’ speedy receivers DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin. Philadelphia will spread the field and throw early to set up the run, so the Giants’ third ranked rush defense will have little impact on the Eagles’ game plan. The keys for the Giants will be to apply pressure on Vick with a four man rush and to have their safeties, Antrel Rolle and Deon Grant, stay behind the Eagles’ deep threats.

On offense New York will try to get their smash-mouth running game going against an Eagles defense that is undersized and built to defend a lead. Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott’s unit is effective at blitzing and coverage but has been proven to soft against a power running game. If the Giants can establish running back Ahmad Bradshaw, they can keep quarterback Eli Manning out of dangerous situations where he might be forced into turnovers by the Eagles’ opportunistic defense. Defensive end Trent Cole will be in Manning’s face all day long and if Eli makes the mistake of throwing the ball up under pressure, he might find himself watching Asante Samuel or rookie Dmitri Patterson, the Eagles’ talented corners, trot into his end zone for a score. The Eagles will throw the whole bag of strikingly confusing blitz packages at Manning and his best solution is to hand the ball to Bradshaw to punish the middle of the defense.

This is one of the league’s best rivalries and Sunday’s edition is sure to be hard fought in the Philadelphia cold. The Eagles will be the best team the Giants have faced all season long and Vick is the most challenging player to prepare for. If the Giants can run the ball effectively then they might be able to keep up. Otherwise, Philadelphia will leave New York in their dust as they put up another high score and take over first place in the standings.

Giants vs Cowboys Odds: Cowboys -3

Sportsbook odds have the Cowboys favored even though they have the worse record. Keep an eye on the injury report as the Giants might rest Brandon Jacobs this week. The Cowboys are desperate for a win and this is virtually their season. If they lose, they are probably out of the playoffs. Look for the Cowboys to get a key win and steer towards the playoffs.

Giants vs Cowboys Pick: Cowboys -3

Browns vs Eagles odds:

On one hand, you have a team that is mailing it in. That would be the Browns. They also have tuned out their head coach and are down to their third-string quarterback. That’s on top of the fact that they weren’t very good to begin with. Now they have to head to Philadelphia to play on Monday Night Football for the third time this season. Look for them to get their first loss on National television against one of the hottest teams in the league. Good luck.

Browns vs Eagles Pick: Eagles -14