Washington Redskins at New York Giants
Pointspread: New York -4
Total Line: 44
The Washington Redskins and the New York Giants square-off against one another this Thursday night in an early season matchup in the NFC East. The Giants have been opened by 5Dimes as four-point favorites playing in the friendly confines of Met Life Stadium with the total set at 44. Kickoff is set for 8:25 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on both CBS and the NFL Network.
The Redskins bounced back from a tough 17-10 loss to Miami on opening day as four-point home favorites with a solid 24-10 victory against St. Louis as three-point underdogs at home this past Sunday. The total has stayed UNDER 5Dimes’ closing betting odds in both contests.
The one constant in both of these games has been Washington’s ability to move the ball on the ground. It is averaging 171.5 rushing yards a game, which is the highest in the NFL. The duo of Alfred Morris and Matt Jones has led the way with a combined 331 rushing yards. Kick Cousins has also managed the game well at quarterback with a completion percentage of 75.9 percent on 58 passing attempts.
The Giants probably feel like they should be 2-0 right now, but their inability to hold onto leads has put them in an early 0-2 hole. After covering as seven-point road underdogs in a 27-26 loss to Dallas in Week 1, they blew a 10-point fourth quarter lead against Atlanta in a 24-20 loss this past Sunday as two-point favorites at home. The total stayed UNDER the 48.5-point line against the Falcons after going OVER the 52-point line in the last minute loss to Dallas.
You can blame poor clock management at the end of the game for the loss to the Cowboys, but the loss to Atlanta would have to fall squarely on the shoulders of New York’s defense for its inability to stop Matt Ryan from successfully throwing the ball to Julio Jones. Giants’ quarterback Eli Manning has thrown for 485 yards and two scores so far this year, but his team has nothing to show for his efforts in the win column.
When it comes to the recent betting trends in this division matchup, New York has won five of its last six games against the Redskins straight-up and it has a 4-1 edge against the spread in the last five meetings. The total has stayed UNDER in the Giants last five home games against Washington.
I would be tempted to go with another play on the UNDER in this game, but I like the Giants’ chances to get their act together and cover the four points at home better.
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