NFL: Detroit Lions at New York Giants Predictions, Picks & Betting Preview

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Matthew StaffordIn need of a win after last week’s embarrassing performance, the New York Giants play their first home game of the season against the Detroit Lions, who looked pretty good in their opening contest (8.30pm ET Monday on ESPN).

The NFL season is still in its infancy and for that reason, it’s way too early to start hitting the panic button or anointing the next Super Bowl champion. That being said, the way New York’s offense played last week, may be cause to worry, especially given one of their top weapons may miss this Monday game.

With Odell Beckham Jr. absent from last week’s game against the Cowboys due to an injury he suffered in the preseason, the Giants failed to really get anything going on offense. New York didn’t get its first first-down of the game until the second quarter and opened the game with five straight punts. The Giants scored their only points at the start of the third quarter with a chip shot field goal but after that, there wasn’t much for New York.

The final score was 19-3, marking the first time since being shut out against the Philadelphia Eagles in October 2014 that the Giants failed to score a touchdown in a regular season game. Beckham’s injury certainly played into this and he is listed as questionable, but the reports are leaning toward him taking the field. However, if not at 100 percent, Beckham’s effectiveness could be a cause of concern. What isn’t a cause of concern however is the fact that New York is being given a gift. Their offense may not be clicking on all cylinders but they are facing a team that last year finished as the NFL’s worst team when it comes to pass defense.

Brandon Marshall, New York’s offseason signee, will have to have more of an impact in the passing game and that’s regardless if Beckham plays or not. Marshall was brought to the Giants to supplement that passing game but was basically a non-factor in week one. He’ll have a favorable matchup against Detroit’s less than perfect secondary and if the Giants hope to win, Marshall will have to take advantage of his opportunities.

Stafford Seems Worth the Money

A few weeks prior to the start of the regular season, the Detroit Lions turned a lot of heads when they made Matthew Stafford the NFL’s highest paid player. For starters, Stafford has yet to win a playoff game and really hasn’t gotten his team to the postseason much anyway and yet he’d be making more than Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers.

While one game is way too small of a sample size to make any definitive conclusions about Stafford or the season he could have, the Lions QB did look really good last week. After a slow start which saw him throw an early pick that the Cardinals returned to the house, Stafford played exceptionally well, recording 292 yards and four touchdowns.

If Stafford plays on his A-level in this matchup then it won’t be pretty for the Giants, because as history has shown when Stafford is good, he really is worth the big bucks Detroit paid.

Our Preview’s Detroit Lions vs New York Giants Betting Picks & Predictions

Common consensus seems to be that the Giants aren’t nearly as bad as the team that showed up to play the Cowboys last week. Given last year’s statistics, it’s fair to agree with this assumption. Eli Manning and company showed flashes of brilliance last year and their offense seemed equipped to handle even the best defenses. Unfortunately that wasn’t the team that showed up on Sunday but there were mitigating factors.

That being said, the Giants are at home where they have a good track record and will be out to prove that last week was an anomaly and not the start of what could be a disappointing season for Big Blue. So for that reason, these are this preview’s betting predictions and picks: