Washington Redskins vs New York Giants

The Washington Redskins have sole possession of first place in the NFC East for the first time this season, while the bumbling New York Giants have started 1-6 SU for the second year in a row. With the rivals heading in opposite directions ahead of a Week 8 date at MetLife Stadium, sportsbooks opened the Giants as 1-point home underdogs with a total of 42.

Redskins vs Giants Game Center

How will the Giants bounce back from their MNF loss?

Compared to some of their games this season, the Giants’ 23-20 setback to the Atlanta Falcons in Monday Night Football was a highlight for Big Blue, as New York managed to pull out a backdoor cover and cover the +4 spread. Despite their 1-6 SU start, the G-Men have been better at the betting window, going 3-4 ATS.

After enduring plenty of scrutiny for the second straight year, Eli Manning managed to put together a solid outing against the Falcons by throwing for 399 yards and one touchdown to go along with a 71.1 completion percentage and 113.8 quarterback rating. Odell Beckham Jr. benefited the most from Manning’s success, as the wideout finished the contest with 143 receiving yards and a touchdown.

The Redskins’ 20-17 triumph over the Dallas Cowboys last week gave them their first winning streak of the season, and things could continue to improve for Alex Smith and company going forward thanks to a relatively easy strength of schedule the rest of the way. Washington will be looking to keep rattling off consecutive wins, as the Redskins are 2-7 SU in their past nine contests when coming off a win. The ’Skins are also 2-6 SU and ATS in their previous eight against NFC East clubs.

Is another UNDER in store?

When the Redskins and Giants collide, low-scoring affairs tend to follow. In the past 13 meetings between the teams, the UNDER is 10-3 with an average combined score of 39 points. The Redskins have also been doing a good job of going below totals on their own, as the UNDER is 8-2 in Washington’s past 10 contests with an average combined score of 39 points.

My pick: take the Redskins on the spread

Playing at home hasn’t made much of a difference for the Giants over the past couple of years, and while the Redskins are much better at home compared to on the road, the discrepancy between these squads is becoming clearer by the week. Washington’s defense should be the difference maker in this one, as I’m expecting Manning to revert back to his recent ways. Take the Redskins as road faves.