3* NYG (+2)
Just got through doing my NFL homework for team Codfoot and decided to post up my #1 pick for the week.
My thoughts:
G-men had an epic collapse against the red birds LW in a spot that looked scrumptious. Don't really think many can back blue here in this spot, but really I think there is considerable support for them this week.
Giants suffered a minus 4 t/o differential that ultimately was the deciding blow. They did, however, manage 260 yards by air and were fairly prolific in the red zone going 2-3. Rushing was a palsy 81 yards against a tough card defense, but despite said t/o's they were in position to win this game and now stay at home on b2b weeks in a winnable situation TW and a chance to redeem in a weak NFC east division that is still up for grabs.
Giants defensively managed to hold the cards to only 142 yards passing, and *1-4 in red zone attempts. So a bend, don't break faction of sorts. The did give up a buck twenty four on the ground, but managed to play a decent game.
Houston flew out to Oakland to beat up on the raiders, getting a plus 4 t/o diff with a strong ground attack netting 188. Not much passing, at 139; but got the job done. 3 for 5 in the RZ was plausible.
Texas defense looked to sag, giving up a huge 263 yards in the air and over 100 (101) yards on the ground. Oak did muster 2 for 2 in the red zone when the opportunity presented.
Premise: Houston flew out to oak, now flies out east to NYG this week. Giving up 263 to a weak Oak team paves the way for the Giants and Eli Manning to absolutely go yard on the Texas secondary. This will open up the rush and allow for coughlin to call a balanced game. Giants defensive secondary is decent and should hold Houston's palsy passing attempts, and should be sufficient enough to stop ground gains, or at least hold in the red zone competively
Rarely do we see a net 8 t/o differential in the nfl (-4 for nyg, +4 for Houston), that plays into the ATS line. Provided the giants can hold onto the ball here, I expect a win.
The Line: Aweful strange that the giants get 2 pts again at home, setting up the bowling pins psychologically.
The Truth: Texas was terrible last year and has a lot of turnover. This will be a testament to this new squad to salvage b2b wins on the road on opposite sides of the coast.
Look for the Giants to get their first win of the year, by shredding a weak Houston secondary and keeping the Texans out of the endzone for touchdowns.