NFL Preseason Betting - Giants at Lions Odds

The reigning Super Bowl champion New York “football” Giants will treat us to their first NFL preseason betting game against the Detroit Lions since defeating the almost perfect New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLII and returning +330 for those who bet the Giants on the money line. Almost 7 months from that 17-14 upset, the Giants are faced with their first NFL preseason betting game as 3 point underdogs without defensive end Michael Strahan (retired), safety Gibril Wilson (to Raiders) and linebackers Reggie Torbor (to Dolphins) and Kawika Mitchell (to Bills).

To say the least, this NFL preseason week 1 game in Detroit will tell a lot about the Giants defensive issues and how Coach Tom Coughlin plans to address them in the coming weeks. NFL preseason betting odds at sportsbooks have the Lions -3 with a total of 33. Betting on the Giants to win straight out on the money line would return +140. In addition to missing many starters, being the first NFL preseason betting game, much of the first team will only see limited action. Players like quarterback Eli Manning, running back Brandon Jacobs and receivers Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer will only see a few snaps of the ball. It is still uncertain if Burress will play at all due to a nagging ankle injury and might be joined on the bench by David Tyree who was listed as Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) on July 24th. If either Burress or Tyree enter the game, it will only be to run a few routes and should not affect the NFL odds.

NFL Preseason Betting Odds

Thursday August 7th @ 7pm EST

Due to the injuries, it is expected that Coughlin will see a few more reps at the receiver position from players like Steve Smith, Sinorice Moss, Domenik Hixon and Brandon London. All of them are looking to secure their spot in the depth rotation when NFL week 1 begins against the Redskins. The Redskins beat the Colts 30-16 in the first 2008 NFL preseason betting game with the Redskins closing as -4.5 point favorites in NFL odds for the Hall of Fame game. Quarterbacks Anthony Wright, David Carr (ex-Panthers) and rookie Andre Woodson (6th round, Kentucky) will also have more time to show Coach Coughlin where they should succeed Manning in the lineup.

First round draft choice safety Kenny Phillips from the Miami Hurricanes will also be entering the game for his first time in an NFL uniform. Phillips will have plenty of experience to learn from with safeties Sammy Knight, James Butler and cornerbacks Sam Madison and Aaron Ross who combined for 7 interceptions in 2007. Ok…enough about the Giants. There are Detroit Fans out there right? The Lions are favored in NFL preseason betting odds at -3 against the Giants and will be displaying a new look offensive scheme focused on the running behind third-round draft choice Kevin Smith (Central Florida), Tatum Bell and Brian Calhoun.

The Lions lost an offensive balance under Mike Martz who was fired during the offseason due to his one sided aerial attack play calling and was replaced by Lions offensive line coach Jim Colleto. On the defensive side of the ball, Detroit is hoping for strong support from ex-Buccaneers cornerback Brian Kelly, safeties Kalvin Pearson and Dwight Smith (Vikings) and former Browns cornerback Leigh Bodden. Other than that…sorry Lions fans but there’s not to much to write about yet. This will be the first NFL preseason betting odds for a Giants vs. Lions football game since 1966. New York won that game 17-7 but Detroit holds a 9-4-1 all time record in preseason games dating back to 1949. The last time the Giants played the Lions at Ford Field was Nov. 18th 2007 in a 16-10 Giants victory.

Giants vs. Lions Preseason Betting Prediction

As with all NFL preseason betting odds, do not expect much from the regular starters in the form of plays or points. In the first NFL preseason betting game, the Redskins pulled away in the fourth quarter due to aggressive play from a strong secondary. The Redskins, like the Lions, were also favored in NFL odds, had a winning record in NFL preseason games and won the game by two touchdowns.

That being said, there is no reason why Detroit should not win their first NFL preseason betting game at home by 3 points, right? I expect to see a consistent offensive attack from the Lions with Coletto’s offensive line leading the way against Super Bowl champions just trying to stay healthy for NFL week 1 action. The Giants at Lions preseason odds might move slightly from now until game time but don't expect the preseason betting odds to change much.