Nearly to the midseason mark in the regular season, we’re gearing up to maintain momentum after last week’s Eagles and Falcons betting victories.
This time, it’s the Battle for New Jersey between a pair of “New York” teams, the Jets and Giants.
This is also an “eye test” game, with several factors to compare as these squads’ respective seasons continue to circle the drain.
As a betting experience, this matchup provides plenty of intrigue because, by and large, you just can’t trust one of these options.
We have our pick and a couple of bonus options ready to roll.
(Odds per BetMGM.com)
THE HEADLINER
Jets at Giants, 1 p.m. ET Sunday
The line: Jets -3, total 36.5.
The lead running backs, Breece Hall of the Jets and Saquon Barkley of the Giants, are ranked No. 12 and 11, respectively, in yards per game.
Barkley has had the advantage of facing the Buffalo Bills, Washington Commanders and Arizona Cardinals over his past three games, while Hall has shown flashes of elite talent. Metrics also credit Barkley with more than 40 percent more yards gained over expected.
Both defenses will aim to slow the ground game, and that’s where the pass rush comes in.
The Jets have one and the Giants suffer in pass protection. This isn’t good news for backup Tyrod Taylor, who is set to start in place of Daniel Jones again Sunday.
A quick nugget from Action Network:
“The Jets have played the toughest schedule of QBs in the entire NFL – Jalen Hurts, Patrick Mahomes, Dak Prescott and Josh Allen. Despite this tough schedule, the Jets are 10th in success rate and 12th in EPA per play allowed.”
The Jets are dialed in after a week off – which followed their upset of the Philadelphia Eagles – and if they are able to stuff the run, their pass defense could have a big day.
With a top-five defensive secondary in terms of coverage stats, the Jets aren’t likely to allow much from a very average Giants receiving group.
The Jets’ eight interceptions have come off the Bills’ Josh Allen (three), Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (two) and Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts (two).
The pick: Jets -3.
THEY SAID IT
“I say they have a really good front four. Call it more than a front four with the amount of times they rotate in there. Two good cover corners (Sauce Gardner and D.J. Reed). … This is a challenging defense to get ready for, and it shows.”
– Giants coach Brian Daboll on Sunday’s opponent, the Jets
BONUS COMBO
Who doesn’t like a good story? Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent may be the exciting blend of good story and serviceable player.
Bears at Chargers, 8:20 p.m. ET Sunday
The line: Chargers -8.5.
You didn’t think you needed to watch the “Sunday Night Football” game? With undrafted Bagent starting at quarterback for the Chicago Bears, you almost have to tune in with the World Series on a travel day.
The Bears are looking to go back-to-back after Bagent’s impressive debut last week.
Bagent, a product of Division II Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, W.Va., started in place of Justin Fields (right thumb) and completed 21 of 29 passes for 162 yards and a touchdown in Chicago’s 30-12 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders.
With receiver DJ Moore clicking, the Bears offense could do some business against a leaky Chargers defense.
And the Chargers don’t look like a team capable of covering this wide margin. Should be fun – for a while anyway.
The pick: Bears +8.5.
PROP CORNER
The good fortune Kirk Cousins found in leading the Minnesota Vikings past the San Francisco 49ers can’t continue.
In this road contest against the Green Bay Packers, the Vikings figure to begin more conservatively as the Packers employ lessons from last Monday night’s game tape (Cousins throwing everywhere – successfully).
The number is too high for a team that relied on a stolen 60-yard TD pass last week and remains without Justin Jefferson.
Prop play: Vikings’ Cousins under 250.5 passing yards (BetMGM).
–Field Level Media