The Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants kick off the regular season on Sunday Night Football, which means New York fans still have a chance to bet on sportsbook odds for the Giants games. For those interested in betting on this game, here is a betting preview to help you with your pick.
Point Spread Analysis
The Cowboys are known as America’s Team for a reason. They draw the most betting action and biggest television ratings, which is great because you can make money betting against the Cowboys because the public inflate the lines by betting on the Cowboys.
Since, the Cowboys are 10-7 against the spread, and 5-4 against the spread at home. Also, they lost both meetings against the Giants last season.
New York was 9-7-1 ATS including the playoffs, and 3-5-1 on the road. As home favorites in the series, Dallas is 6-4 straight up in their last 10 games, but 4-6 ATS. This is also going to be the third consecutive season they open the regular season against each other. Both teams have won a game each and both games were decided by one point.
Dallas Cowboys
Once again, the Cowboys start the season in the middle of a controversy. This year, it’s running back Ezekiel Elliott, who led the league in rushing last season, but was suspended for the first six games of the season by the league as a result of their investigation into domestic violence allegations levied against Elliott.
Elliott has since appealed the decision, but his status for Sunday night is still unclear because the ruling on the appeal hasn’t been made. If the suspension is lifted, Elliott will start on Sunday night.
Last season, Dak Prescott won the Rookie of the Year award after leading the team to a 13-3 record, but most NFL insiders believe Elliott was the most valuable member of the team last year and did a lot to take pressure away from Prescott. With Elliott in the game, the Cowboys have one of the most dangerous offenses in the NFL, without him, they might not make the playoffs.
New York Giants
Unlike the Cowboys, the Giants don’t have any real controversy to deal with, but they do have a big injury concern that might affect their offense on Sunday.
Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., injured his ankle in the preseason and his status for Sunday night is still up in the air. Team officials say it is just an ankle sprain, but Beckham hasn’t practiced or played since the injury.
Keeping him out of practice is probably just a precaution to prevent him from aggravating the injury, but if it more serious than the team let on, it will be a big b low to New York’s offense because it will be hard to replace the 90 catches, 1,300 yards, and 10 touchdowns he has produced for the team each of the last three seasons.
If New York’s defense plays as well or better than it did last year, the Giants will have a good chance to make the playoffs, but if Eli Manning doesn’t have any reliable weapons to throw to, it will likely be another long season for the G-Men.