The San Francisco 49ers being the favorites isn’t anything new. However, the New York Giants not being significant underdogs is eyebrow-raising. That’s the scenario we have heading into Week 9.
As the Niners
head to the dreaded MetLife Stadium, FanDuel Sportsbook has the road team as 2.5-point underdogs, with an obnoxiously high total of 48.5. That’s the highest-projected total for San Francisco this season by two full points.
Here’s a look at the Giants’ odds by game:
Week 1: @ Cowboys +4.5
Week 2 vs. Chiefs +6
Week 3 vs. Chargers +6
Week 4 @ Saints +2.5
Week 5 vs. Eagles +7.5 @
Week 6 Denver +8
Week 7 @Eagles +7.5
That’s right. The only team to have this low of a spread was the lowly Saints.
The spread says the 49ers will go another week without Brock Purdy. But that’s not a total for a backup quarterback and Jaxon Dart. Unless oddsmakers don’t expect many stops in this contest.
According to schedule-adjusted efficiency, these are the 10th and 12th-worst defenses in the NFL. In fairness, the 49ers were a half step away from a handful of sacks against the Houston Texans. They were also in a position to get off the field on multiple occasions, but failed to do so on third down. Those mistakes can’t happen when you’re missing your two best players.
Will a rookie quarterback without Malik Nabers and Cam Skattebo really get the best of Robert Saleh? That seems hard to believe. The Giants have been all over the place offensively. Brian Daboll and company put up 34 and 32 against the Eagles and Broncos with Jaxson Dart. One thing we can guarantee happening in this one is high variance.
The Giants’ defensive line will be a force. They’ve been that way all year. But it hasn’t prevented teams from scoring. Denver set records in the fourth quarter. The Eagles didn’t do much the first time they faced New York. Last Sunday, they dropped 38 points and ran for 276 yards.
So, a game after rushing for 25 yards, maybe it’s a game where Christian McCaffrey bounces back. Brian Robinson didn’t get any carries, so perhaps it’s a game where multiple backs get involved so the Giants can’t pin their ears back against whichever quarterback plays.
Do you think the 49ers’ offense will put up points against the Giants? Will the defense get stops against Dart?
