After seeing his brother retire this past year, Eli Manning is ready to come into this season and take the league by storm as the lone Manning brother. The NFL betting odds didn’t think Manning, and the Giants by extension, would be winning the NFC East this year. But two weeks into the season New York is tied for the lead in the East along with the Eagles. The Eagles – Carson Wentz in particular, have been surprisingly impressive so far this year, but if I had to choose between Manning-Wentz I would pick the Super Bowl winning quarterback over the rookie any day of the week. This game will take place Sunday, September 25th.
Redskins +4 ½ (-105) 47 (-110)
Giants -4 ½ (-115) 47 (-110)
The Giants opened the 2016 season by traveling to Dallas and taking on the Cowboys. All eyes would be on Manning as this would be the first game in his career that the younger Manning brother would step onto the Gridiron without Tom Coughlin in his ear. Coughlin sent a text message to his former quarterback before the game to give Manning some encouragement and it was enough motivation for Manning to lead the Giants to a 20-19 win over Dallas. Opposite of Manning was Dak Prescott, who was still getting used to playing against first-team defenses. Some critics think Prescott’s inexperience paved the way for a Giants’ win, but the following week New York proved they’re capable of beating even the league’s most experienced quarterbacks.
In Week 2 the Giants faced the New Orleans Saints and the NFL betting odds had New York pegged as the favorites. Behind Manning’s efforts New York was able to overcome the Saints and win the game on a last second field goal. Manning would finish the day completing 32/41 passes for 368 yards. #10 may not have had any touchdowns, but he did a great job of not turning the ball over, something his teammates couldn’t quite manage. New York finished the day with three fumbles, all of which were recovered by New Orleans. But behind their solid defense and a blocked field goal that was returned for a touchdown, the Giants were able to advance to 2-0. Now in Week 3 New York will have to face off against another division rival, the Washington Redskins. Coming into this contest the majority of football betting sites are pegging the Redskins as the underdogs. Let’s take a look at the odds.
Come Sunday the Giants will try to cover the 4 ½ point spread against the Redskins. New York is currently averaging just 18 points per contest, while the Redskins are almost averaging 20. New York will have the clear advantage at quarterback and Kirk Cousins main concern will be on limiting his interceptions. Week 3 isn’t even over and Cousins has already thrown 3 interceptions. Washington opened the season with a Monday night loss against the Steelers and followed that up with another loss against the Cowboys. If the Giants can get a win against the Redskins then they’ll take the lead in the division and perhaps even become the new NFL betting favorites in the East. This past season Peyton tied Manning’s Super Bowl victories and Eli will be itching to take the title of ‘Most Super Bowl Rings in the Family’ back once again.