New York Giants Betting Favorite

The New York Giants will start the 2008 campaign, essentially where they left the 2007 regular season. They are believed to be a pretty good football team, with enough weapons to be dangerous, however with shortcomings in enough areas. Along the way, in between the end of one season and before the next, they picked up a little hardware and some gaudy rings, having something to do with that Super Bowl thing. Giants’ fans and football bettors are still relishing the money they made on New York’s improbable run to NFL title, especially those on the money line against the then unbeaten New England Patriots.

Its opening night of a new season and Roger the Commish and his minions give us an old-fashioned NFC East rivalry to kick-off a new 17-week regular season. The Giants start under the leadership of Eli Manning, no longer challenged if he can be The Man in New York.

The Giants do have problems coming into the season with injuries, free agency and retirement taking away many of the aspects that contributed to spectacular late season run. This is not to say the cupboard is bare on defense for the G-Men, rather signals defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo will have to meet the challenge with new personnel. Last year the Giants were 6-0 ATS when they held teams between 15 and 21 points.

Washington has given unproven Jim Zorn the keys to the Redskins present and future, with plenty of doubt surrounding the environment. While quarterback Jason Campbell strives to learn yet another offensive system, how the running game works will determine early season success or failure of Washington. The offensive line brought back a couple of old faces that were injured last season, but essentially the group is the same, meaning Clinton Portis will have to use his vision and shiftiness to find holes. The Giants will try to clog running lanes; to stifle Skins attack and make Campbell hit many of his new receivers. Washington arrives in New Jersey 13-5-1 ATS against NFC East opponents.

Sportsbooks have moved New York up to 4.5-point favorite with total of 41. The Giants are 10-6 and 9-7 ATS hosting Washington since 1992, with the visitor having covered three in a row.

Serious football bettors will want to watch how Redskins T Stephen Heyer handles DE Justin Tuck. Heyer is descent player who gives good effort. Tuck has high motor and quickness off the ball. Whoever wins this battle will help team immeasurably.

Another battle is Plaxico Burress vs. Shawn Springs. When Plax plays like he did in the postseason, he is unstoppable in all the various pass routes. Springs is intelligent defender, and will try to jam Burress to throw off timing routes of which Manning is extremely comfortable throwing.
Lastly, will Manning be able to have TE Kevin Boss as reliable bailout? Boss looked uncertain in preseason. This could cause teams to double Burress if they don’t fear Boss or any other Giants tight ends.

Washington is 5-5 and 2-6-2 ATS in first game of the season and 6-10 ATS on the road the last two seasons. New York is also .500 in first tilt, with exact same spread record at 5-5.

NBC has the NFL season opener with Al and John and presumably new artist singing song to start the year. Keep in mind the Super Bowl champs are 6-0-1 ATS in first game the next season.