The sportsbooks did not expect the New York Giants to have a winning record, never mind be in the playoffs, never mind make it to the divisional round.
And yet, with what sometimes seemed like a MacGyver-esqe method of getting the most out of his squad, first-year head coach Brian Daboll has found himself in a position the Giants haven’t been in since their miraculous run in the 2011 season — namely, having won a playoff game.
“These @Giants are 𝘦𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 like the ’07 team.”
–@Pschrags explains pic.twitter.com/cvwg2BQu45
— Good Morning Football (@gmfb) January 19, 2023
Now the Giants will try to continue this improbable season by heading down the Turnpike to Philadelphia, where the top-seeded Eagles await. The teams have played twice this year, and twice the Eagles have asserted their dominance.
The first game was ugly, with the Eagles running all over the G-Men en route to a 48-22 victory. Then, in the last game of the regular season, the Eagles won 22-16, albeit against the Giants’ B-team.
But all of that is in the past. The present, as it turns out, comes at the Giants at 8:15 on Saturday night, where they are getting 7.5 points (at -104 at WynnBet) and are +300 moneyline underdogs at PointsBet.
The 7.5-point line is, of course, a dangerous number. It would seem the books are practically begging bettors to take the Giants here with that half-point hook. It will be interesting to see if that number moves at all – one way or another – closer to kickoff.
As far as the over/under goes, it’s set at 48, with WynnBet offering the best odds on either side at -108.
On the field
So, can the Giants continue on to the NFC Championship?
Where my @Giants fans at!?
— The Last King Lou🤴🏾 (@YankeesGhost) January 14, 2023
Clearly, they have their work cut out of them, especially on the ground, where the Giants’ rushing defense is ranked last, according to Football Outsiders’ DVOA metric. And the Eagles have taken advantage of this during the team’s two meetings, rushing for a combined 388 yards.
With that in mind, it’s probably worth a look at the Eagles’ rushing props, which are headed up by Miles Sanders. If you like his over — it’s set at 65.5 — it can be had for -125 on PointsBet or -113 at BetRivers if you’re willing to go up to 68.5.
Jalen Hurts is next on the list, where his prop is at 50.5 at -110 at bet365. And there’s another runner in this game worth noting: Saquon Barkley, who has a relatively low number attached to his name, with his rushing prop set at 68.5, with BetRivers offering the over at -112.
On the passing side, Daniel Jones, who certainly seems to have played himself into the Giants’ franchise quarterback, has a passing yardage prop of a modest 213.5, with FanDuel offering -114 on the over. Isaiah Hodgkins, who seems to be emerging as the Giants’ top option at wideout, has a similarly modest 44.5 receiving yardage prop, with FanDuel also offering the best odds at -114 on the over.
Of course, this being a playoff game, the props being offered are coming fast and furious, and they are certainly worth watching as they get released.
In the end, though, it all comes down to a relatively simple question: Are the Giants as good as they’ve looked of late? And even if they are, will they be able to topple the Eagles, a team that — at least until Hurts got hurt — looked like the best team in the NFL?
Time will obviously tell, but win or lose, this season has been an eye-opener for Giants fans.
Photo: Matt Krohn