Betting on New York Jets-New York Giants: The odds are shifting in the Jets’ favor
The New York Jets are not only 2-0 in the standings this preseason, but they’re 2-0 against the spread, as well.
Gang Green was the underdog in each of its first two games and ended up winning both of them outright. The Jets were 1.5-point underdogs against the Eagles in their first preseason game and 4.5-point underdogs against the Falcons the following week.
Considering the Jets’ success, oddsmakers are more optimistic about their outlook in this week’s preseason finale against the Giants. The Jets are 4.5-point favorites, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Part of the reason why the Jets are favored is the fact they are set to play the majority of their starters for much of the first half while the Giants are undecided on that front. Jets head coach Robert Saleh confirmed the team’s plan this past week, whereas Giants head coach Brian Daboll is still undecided as of his most recent comments.
The Jets starters will play between a quarter and a half Sunday against the Giants. Robert Saleh hasn’t decided the length.
— Ethan Greenberg (@EGreenbergJets) August 24, 2022
My hunch is starters won’t play but Daboll hasn’t said yet https://t.co/OnEMo3RrrK
— Dan Duggan (@DDuggan21) August 26, 2022
Yes, the Jets are giving 4.5 points here to compensate for this, but if it does indeed turn out that the Jets play their starters and the Giants do not, then it’s all the more reason to think the Jets will cover once again.
The Jets struggled early in their first two preseason games before making up a ton of ground later on with their second and third-stringers. Over their first two games, they were outscored 30-3 in the first half while outscoring their opponents 42-7 in the second half.
Based on how well the Jets’ bottom-of-the-roster players have performed, we can be fairly confident that the Jets will continue their second-half excellence this week. While the Giants’ backups have led the team to solid performances in the second half, they have been nowhere near as great as the Jets. The Giants have outscored their opponents 31-27 in the second half so far, a +4 differential that pales in comparison to the Jets’ +35.
It’s in the first half where the Jets need to improve if they are going to cover. And if they wind up playing more starters than the Giants, they will have the talent advantage they need to create a close halftime score at the minimum, allowing the backups to run away in the second half.
The Pick: @ NY Jets (-4.5)
