Two big questions linger in the hours leading up to the Lions-Giants Monday night matchup:
- Will Giants receiver Odell Beckham be active?
- Will Giants cornerback Janoris Jenkins be active?
Reports are mixed on whether OBJ will suit up. The trickle-down production impact on his skill position teammates is significant. If Jenkins is active with hand and ankle injuries, he’ll definitely be less than 100 percent when he lines up opposite Marvin Jones.
These pending active/inactive decisions weigh heavily as you consider which prop bets to place. So, it would behoove the betting public to have the latest injury status as the day plays out.
All prop odds courtesy of Sportsbook.
Matthew Stafford O/U ½ Interception
Bet: Over (-160)
Stafford completed 24 of 39 passes for 273 yards with an interception against the Giants last year. The Lions quarterback is a high-volume passer without much of a rushing game. When you are forced to throw as much as Stafford will be tonight against a secondary Pro Football Focused ranked the best in the NFL, you are bound to make a mistake.
Ameer Abdullah O/U 37 ½ Rush Yards
Bet: Under (+100)
The Lions really want/need Abdullah to be a reliable RB1, but after 15 rushes for 30 yards (2.0 YPR) against the Cardinals last week, Theo Riddick remains the top option in the Lions backfield. Without Abdullah, the Giants held the Lions to 2.9 yards per rush in their meeting last season. These types of O/U bets are basically fading the running back busting one big run, which Abdullah isn’t known for.
Golden Tate O/U 5 ½ Receptions
Bet: Over (-140)
If Jenkins plays and shadows Marvin Jones, Tate is slated to match up against Eli Apple. He caught eight passes on 13 targets in this matchup last season. In Week 1, Tate was targeted 12 times and caught 10 passes for 107 yards against an above-average Cardinals defense. It wouldn’t surprise me if Tate also hit the O/U 67 ½ receiving yards (+100). He and Stafford just click.
Eli Manning O/U ½ Interception
Bet: Over (-190)
&
Paul Perkins O/U 42 ½ Rush Yards
Bet: Under (+100)
Manning and Perkins prop bets are intertwined. Oddsmakers are more certain that Eli will throw a pick than Stafford (-190 vs -160) because the Giants rushing game is unreliable. Regardless of Beckham’s status, the Giants will pass 35 to 40 times. Perkins may have rushed 11 times for 56 yards against the Lions last season, but coming off seven carries for 16 yards in Week 1, he doesn’t scream viable threat.
