New York Giants: Will Homedogs Pull the Upset?
By: Dan Orlando
The Giants are averaging 28 points per game with Daniel Jones at the helm. This follows a several season stretch the Eli Manning version of the offense struggled to break into the 20s in a given game.
While Manning will ultimately be remembered in New Jersey and New York for the Super Bowl wins he delivered to the franchise and his ability to win close games during the earlier stages of his career, Manning will also be remembered in Minneapolis for his 3-6 record and 15 interceptions against the Vikings over the course of his career.
But perhaps a new signal caller can change that?
After turning to Jones, New York is 2-2 on the 2019 season
The Vikings will enter MetLife Stadium with the same record.
They’ll also arrive with a QB on pace for under 3,000 passing yards and 12 touchdowns on the season.
Yet Minnesota is the favorite.
DraftKings is giving the Giants +5.5.
Yes, Dalvin Cook will be joining the delegation from Minnesota as well. He of the 410 yards and 5 TDs.
Averaging nearly 6 yards per carry, he’s a first down machine.
Cook’s presence is what makes New York’s status as an underdog stick.
The Giants are allowing over 100 yards per game on the ground. That number may not improve since the club is starting a third-string tandem at ILB today thanks to a rash of injuries at the position.
New York’s secondary, which may have finally found itself after what I can only assume was a come-to-Jesus moment in a Tampa Bay halftime locker room needs at least one more solid game to have earned enough trust to be counted on.
Can the Giants win a shootout here? Sure. Can the secondary stifle the less-then-stellar Kirk Cousins? Sure. Today may be an official declaration that the 2019 Giants are to be taken seriously.
But I’m not there yet. Not with this defense still finding it’s feet.
New York can probably cover, this doesn’t have the tell-tale signs of a route. But staying away from the money-line may not be the worst idea if you’re going Blue.
Note: All articles by Dan Orlando on this site are analysis. They are not guaranteed outcomes of games.