Football odds will favor the New York Giants a great deal of the time in 2009. The team went 12-4 last year during the regular season but flopped in the playoffs. A lot is being expected out of the Giants this season but New York will have to overcome a lot of off-season losses to match last year’s record.
Football odds had the New York Giants having a lot of success last season as they went 12-4 against the spread. The team made a lot of off-season changes including picking up defensive tackles Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty and linebacker Michael Boley. The losses for the Giants are many including wide receiver Plaxico Burress, running back Derrick Ward, safety Sammy Knight and cornerback Sam Madison. The team is hoping that first round draft pick Hakeem Nicks can pick up the slack for the loss of Burress.
In 2008 the Giants had the top running attack in the NFL, averaging over 150 yards per game as football odds stats show with Brandon Jacobs, Derrick Ward and Ahmad Bradshaw. They will not have Ward this season so Jacobs will need to stay healthy. Quarterback Eli Manning had another solid season but when the team lost Burress they struggled and that could happen again in 2009 versus the football odds.
The defense was 5th in points allowed as online betting stats showed and could be just as good in 2009 since defensive end Osi Umenyiora is coming back from an injury. He should combine with Justin Tuck to give the Giants the ability to put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterback. Getting Chris Canty and Rocky Bernard should also help. The secondary is much weaker than a year ago so the Giants will need to put pressure on opposing teams. Aaron Ross, Corey Webster and Kenny Phillips are solid but there is no depth and the team will miss Madison.
The Giants are getting a lot of respect from the football odds makers in 2009. They are 10-1 to win the Super Bowl in football odds which is third behind only New England and Pittsburgh. Considering the Giants play in the tough NFC East, they may be getting too much respect in online sports betting. The offense looks much weaker without Ward and Burress and the defensive secondary is suspect. Overall, the Giants may struggle to match last season’s 12-4 record in football odds.