posted August 21, 2008 at 16:15 EST in NFL Free Picks
New York, New York
by BetUS Staff
On Saturday night (August 23), the Big Apple's two NFL teams will compete for bragging rights once again as the New York Giants (10-6 SU & ATS in 2007 regular season; 1-1 SU, 1-0-1 ATS in pre-season), the defending Super Bowl champions, meet up with the New York Jets (4-12 SU, 6-9-1 ATS in 2007; 1-1 SU & ATS in pre-season) in exhibition action that is slated for a 7 PM ET kickoff at Giants Stadium (artificial turf) in East Rutherford, N.J.
Saturday, August 23
BetUS NFL Betting Odds: N.Y. JETS -3 (Even), Total 38
NOTABLE STAT: Giants had more rushing yards than anybody in 2007 (155.8 ypg)
KEY NFL FOOTBALL BETTING TREND: Giants have won the last four meetings SU
In the BetUS NFL pre-season football betting odds, the Jets are listed as a three-point favorite (at even money), with the total posted at 38 points.
Here are some NFL football betting trends as they relate to this matchup (reflecting numbers going into the 2008 season):
* NYG have won 14 of their last 18 games SU
* NYG have covered eight of their last nine games
* NYG have played six of their last nine games UNDER the total
* NYG have lost their last four home games SU
* NYG have played five of their last six home games OVER the total
* NYJ have lost ten of their last 13 games SU
* NYJ have played six of their last seven games UNDER the total
* NYJ have lost four of their last six home games SU
* NYJ have played five of their last six home games UNDER the total
Pre-Season trends:
* NYG have lost four of their last six pre-season games SU
* NYG have won nine of their last 13 pre-season games SU
* NYG are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 pre-season games
* NYJ have won five of their last six pre-season games SU
* NYJ have covered four of their last six pre-season games
* NYJ have won four of their last six pre-season home games SU
* NYJ have played four of their last six pre-season home games OVER the total
The Giants seemed to run out of gas on Monday night at the Meadowlands, getting off to a 30-3 lead with one minute gone in the second quarter after a 95-yard fumble return by James Butler, then fighting like hell to stave off the furious Cleveland rally, as they came away with a 37-34 win.
But the Giants were generally impressive as long as their starters were in the game, and that may be a good sign coming into this one, which is traditionally the one where the regulars play the longest. Steve Smith and Mario Manningham, who have been bothered by injuries, should be ready to go. But who the hell needs another wide receiver when you've got a guy like Dominik Hixon, who scored three touchdowns in the first quarter, including a kickoff return?
Brett Favre's last moment against the Giants was not a pleasant one, as he threw an interception to Corey Webster that effectively ended Green Bay's season and sent the New Yorkers to the Super Bowl. So maybe he'll be pumped to atone for that on behalf of the "other" team at Giants Stadium.
Favre, who was sharp in his limited action against the Redskins last Saturday, should see even more time in this week's game, as he continues to grasp the offense. Certainly he has been campaigning for it, or at least as he had told radio host Michael Kay on the local ESPN radio affiliate. All of this probably means less time for Brett Ratliff, the big guy out of the University of Utah who hit on 13 of his 19 passes and may have more long-term possibilities than Kellen Clemens.
The Giants' backup QB situation is not too good. Anthony Wright had to leave last week's game with a back injury and may not play. Andre Woodson is hardly ready to make any kind of an impact. And then there is David Carr, who has now washed out at Houston and Carolina.
Can Carr hold down the fort when Manning is not in the game? If he can, that's a good thing, because Manning has more command of the Giants' playbook than Favre has with the Jets' scheme right now. In a game where the Big Blue is getting points, it's meaningful that they have won the last four meetings and have gone 3-0-1 ATS. We'll take the three points and the Giants in the BetUS NFL pre-season betting odds.
JAY'S PLAY: N.Y. GIANTS +3 (-120)
(Graded on a scale of 1-4 stars)
(Charles Jay of www.ebookies.com is a member of the NFL too - that is, "not for long" if you don't get results. He is now a regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room)
