New York Giants vs Washington Commanders Week 1 Odds, Preview, and Prediction
No one is saying that the New York Giants are going to be a serious threat to win the NFC East. After all, the two teams that played for the conference title last season are in the same division they are.
But what this ownership group and front office may be looking for is to make some incremental gains. So the season opener, which comes against the Washington Commanders, should provide a little barometer as to what we might expect this year.
These division rivals will battle at Northwest Stadium (formerly FedEx Field) in Landover, MD. Game time is 1 PM ET on Sunday, September 7.
THE PLAY: NY GIANTS +6.5 (-115)
Here are the latest Week 1 NFL football odds from BetOnline:
- Washington Commanders -6.5 (-105)
- New York Giants +6.5 (-115)
- Over 46 Points -110
- Under 46 Points -110
About the Washington Commanders
You can’t say enough about what Jayden Daniels was able to do last season. With a 69% completion rate, only nine interceptions, 891 yards on the ground, and general wizardry went beyond what could have been expected from the Heisman Trophy recipient.
Terry McLaurin was targeted 117 times last season. That is almost twice as much as any other wideout the team had. And if Deebo Samuel can go through a season healthy, he’s going to take a lot of pressure off McLaurin.
But that might become a moot point. McLaurin, who’s had at least a thousand yards in receptions five years in a row, wants “elite” money, and there might be an impasse.
McLaurin reported for camp on Sunday, but because of an ankle injury, he’s been placed on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. So his availability for this season opener might come into question. And ESPN reported that he has requested a trade.
Here is what BetOnline has listed as the odds on his next team:
- Las Vegas Raiders +300
- New England Patriots +400
- New York Jets +500
- Los Angeles Chargers +600
- Pittsburgh Steelers +800
- Indianapolis Colts +1000
Daniels doesn’t do a whole lot with play action, and there would be more opportunity if he had a “commanding” ground game. It’s not likely they’ll use Samuel to help them with that (acknowledging that he filled a RB role from time to time with the Niners). Austin Ekeler probably has a little gas left in the tank, although the Chargers may have gotten out of that at the right time.
Washington has some real problems when it comes to figuring out what’s happening with the defensive line. They allowed 4.8 yards a carry and surrendered more rushing yards than all but two teams, and they sustained key losses as Jonathan Allen and Dante Fowler Jr. departed.
Eddie Goldman and Javon Kinlaw came as free agents, but the DL was not addressed in the draft. The linebackers and secondary are solid, but this situation is hardly airtight.
About the New York Giants
The Giants’ front office has taken a lot of abuse, and perhaps that’s rightly so. When you sign Daniel Jones to a huge contract extension, then wind up releasing him, sitting back and watching as Saquon Barkley, whom you released, rushing for over 2000 yards, you’re going to catch abuse.
But maybe that front office made a comeback this past off-season. The Giants passed up a quarterback with their #3 overall pick, and instead took Abdul Carter, a defender who might become the guy with the most impact.
The Giants intend to move Carter around a lot, sending him from the edge, having him play off the ball as a linebacker and as a down lineman as well. Carter’s presence also gives the team a chance to be one of the best defensive fronts in the league, in contrast with what Washington is showing.
New York’s offense was horrible last year, and despite the emergence of Malik Nabers as a rookie (109 catches for 1204 yards), they averaged just over 16 points a game. And they had only 34 plays that gained 20 yards or more. We can’t make any promises, but they will have more of a veteran presence at quarterback with Russell Wilson as the starter and Jameis Winston as the backup. The Giants selected Jaxson Dart late in the first round and like him a lot, but he won’t carry the burden unless injuries hit hard.
If this team doesn’t demonstrate that it is moving in a positive direction, it wouldn’t surprise us if head coach Brian Daboll got the axe. He is the +400 favorite at BetOnline to be the first coach to get fired.
Who is going to cover the spread between the Giants and Commanders?
When looking at this game let’s consider a few things. It is true that Washington has made a number of additions, the most significant of which were wide receiver Deebo Samuel and tackle Laremy Tunsil. And they took a real upward trajectory under the leadership of Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels last season, advancing to within one game of the Super Bowl.
At the same time, you may be paying a premium price with them, and there’s nothing in their arsenal that is going to surprise anyone this year.
Whether the Giants brought in any meaningful offense might be a subject of some dispute, but with Russell Wilson in the fold they are at least going to have some veteran stability at quarterback.
Cam Skattebo may not move the needle much at running back, but he will bring toughness and attitude this team badly needs around the practice field and locker room.
What is virtually undisputed is that the Giants are bringing one of the best defensive fronts in the NFL to the table. And first-round draft pick Abdul Carter looks like an immediate impact guy.
With the kind of talent they have in the front seven (Including Dexter Lawrence, Kayvon Thibodeau and Brian Burns as well), that’s the kind of factor that can certainly keep them in ballgames.
Division underdogs have been a strong play in the NFL’s opening weekend, with over 70% in the last nine seasons. Let’s take the points and expect that the Giants will be able to keep this a little ugly, and in the process, and keep it close.
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