New York Giants Super Bowl Odds - Giants 10-1 Favorites

Super Bowl odds on the New York Giants are quite low at 10-1 despite the fact that New York will not have wide receiver Plaxico Burress this season. The Giants are 10-1 betting favorites and the third choice in Super Bowl odds behind only the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Giants made a number of off-season moves on both sides of the ball but improving upon last season’s 12-4 regular season record could be difficult considering the Giants play in the brutal NFC East.

On offense the Giants still have quarterback Eli Manning and running back Brandon Jacobs but there are some definite question marks heading into 2009. The Giants no longer have the big play threat of Burress and they also don’t have the versatility of running back Derrick Ward who left in free agency in the off-season. The Giants had the best rushing attack in the NFL in 2008 but it is likely to drop without Ward. Jacobs needs to stay healthy or the Giants will be in serious trouble on offense. The other problem for New York is that they have no receiver to replace Burress. They drafted Hakeem Nicks but it is unlikely he can step into replace Burress as a rookie.

Some Super Bowl odds insiders are saying that Domenik Hixon can be the man to replace Burress but he will have to show it on the field and earn Manning’s trust. The Giants do return a veteran and talented offensive line of David Diehl, Rich Seubert, Shaun O’Hara, Chris Snee, and Kareem McKenzie. The defense also went through a lot of changes in the off-season. The Giants picked up defensive tackles Rocky Bernard and Chris Canty and linebacker Michael Boley. They lost safety Sammy Knight and cornerback Sam Madison. The biggest addition though is defensive end Osi Umenyiora who is returning from injury. With Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka and Justin Tuck, the Giants have the makings of a great pass rush.

Antonio Pierce leads the linebacking corps and he is reportedly set for a Pro Bowl year. He will need to be great considering the Giants are weak at linebacker behind him. Aaron Ross and Corey Webster and solid cornerbacks but they will miss Sam Madison in the secondary. Kenny Phillips could be ready for a big year at safety. It will be interesting to see how New York reacts on defense without coordinator Steve Spagnuolo who took over in St. Louis. The Giants are the favorite in NFC Super Bowl odds despite playing in a very tough division.