New York Giants Season Odds Preview

The Giants start the season at +300 money on the NFC East futures odds menu, but the question marks about the offense probably makes that an unattractive wager.

Eli Manning connected well (and often) with Hakeem Nicks last season and that partnership should blossom further in 2011. But can Mario Manningham, Domenik Hixon, and a crew of WRs that are hardly battle-hardened carry the Giants for the long haul?

Odds to Win NFC East: +300
Regular Season Win Total: Over 9.5 (+130)
Props: MVP Odds Eli Manning 25/1

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Manning has a favorable schedule to work with, as six of their first seven games look winnable (a road game at the Eagles is the exception). If they get some momentum and confidence early, they could challenge for the division and possibly win it if the ‘Dream Team’ in green falters.

The backfield is solid and should give Manning time and options. Ahmad Bradshaw is a thoroughbred at tailback and Brandon Jacobs is the straight-ahead Clydesdale that is the perfect complement to the Giants’ ground game horsepower.

But Travis Beckum, with just 21 career catches, is No. 1 on the depth chart at TE. Can he and the backups manage the blocking and third-down receiving needed to keep the chains moving?

But bigger than any question mark around the offense is the question mark around DE Osi Umenyiora. He first demanded a trade and sat out part of training camp, then required surgery which will keep him out of action until September or later.

Without his run-stuffing and QB-harassing activity at DE, the Giants could end up being a shootout team each week – piling up points on offense and watching them pile them up on defense.

Week 1: at Washington

NFC East Odds at Bodog as of August 21:
Philadelphia Eagles -140
Dallas Cowboys +300
New York Giants +300
Washington Redskins +2000

2011 New York Giants Schedule (All times Eastern)

01 Sep 11 NYG @ WAS (FedExField 4:15pm FOX)     
02 Sep 19 STL @ NYG (New Meadowlands Stadium 8:30pm ESPN)           
03 Sep 25 NYG @ PHI (Lincoln Financial Field 1:00pm FOX)
04 Oct 02 NYG @ ARI (University of Phoenix Stadium 4:05pm FOX)          
05 Oct 09 SEA @ NYG (New Meadowlands Stadium 1:00pm FOX)           
06 Oct 16 BUF @ NYG (New Meadowlands Stadium 1:00pm CBS)           
07 Bye     
08 Oct 30 MIA @ NYG (New Meadowlands Stadium 1:00pm CBS)           
09 Nov 06 NYG @ NE (Gillette Stadium 4:15pm FOX)       
10 Nov 13 NYG @ SF (Candlestick Park 4:15pm FOX)      
11 Nov 20 PHI @ NYG (New Meadowlands Stadium 8:20pm NBC)           
12 Nov 28 NYG @ NO (Superdome 8:30pm ESPN)      
13 Dec 04 GB @ NYG (New Meadowlands Stadium 4:15pm FOX)
14 Dec 11 NYG @ DAL (Cowboys Stadium 8:20pm NBC)       
15 Dec 18 WAS @ NYG (New Meadowlands Stadium 1:00pm FOX)           
16 Dec 24 NYG @ NYJ (New Meadowlands Stadium 1:00pm FOX)   
17 Jan 01 DAL @ NYG (New Meadowlands Stadium 1:00pm FOX)