Lots of Points Expected In Giants-Lions Matchup

Matthew Stafford is coming off a big game in Week 7 and gets to face a porous Giants defense in Week 8. With his defense also banged up and his starting running back injured, this has all the makings of a shootout … in other words, bettors should pay attention to the total.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

Despite their injuries and their record, the Lions are at home and have been playing well, so Sportsbook as favorites by a touchdown is very justifiable. The spread hasn’t received much action, as the line has held firm, but bettors have jumped all over the total of 48.5. New York’s defense is weak and the Lions aerial attack has been clicking, while the Giants offense is getting healthier and Detroit’s defense has some injuries. The total has already shifted to 50 points.

New York News & Notes

Giants quarterback Daniel Jones won his first two NFL starts — and the hype machine was in full effect. Since then, the rookie signal-caller has crashed back to earth as he’s hit the rookie wall ... hard.

Over his last three games, all losses, Jones has completed just 55.7 percent of his passes, while tallying three touchdowns against five interceptions. In his most recent game, a 27-21 loss to Arizona, he also had three fumbles and was sacked eight times. To his defense, it was not a favorable offensive game, as heavy rains limited the passing game for both teams.

The silver lining for Jones is that he’s now getting his offensive weapons back. Tight end Evan Engram and running back Saquon Barkley both returned in Week 7, while wide receiver Golden Tate III played in just his third game of the season.

With another week of everyone practicing, plus playing Week 8 inside a dome, the offense has a much better chance of helping cover the larger spread and building upon the Giants’ recent string of going 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road games.

Detroit News & Notes

Following heartbreaking losses to Kansas City and Green Bay, the Detroit Lions dropped to 2-3-1 on the year with a loss last week to Minnesota, despite putting up 30 points on one of the league’s better defenses.

It was a bittersweet day for Detroit’s Matthew Stafford, who became the fastest quarterback in NFL history to surpass 40,000 career passing yards (147 games), but he again failed to deliver a signature win the team badly needed. To make things worse, Detroit also lost starting running back Kerryon Johnson and top cornerback Darius Slay due to injury in last week’s loss.

The Lions are 7-2 ATS in their last nine home games against teams with losing records. With the availability of two of their marquee players in question for Week 8, Stafford will need to have another big day if they want to improve that record.

Betting Pick: OVER 48.5

The Giants offense is getting healthier, but the defense is not very good. The Lions defense is beat up and they’re looking at another pass-heavy game script — sounds like a game going OVER.