Detroit Lions @ New York Giants, 8:15p (Giants -3, O/U: 42)
The big question rolling into tonight was OBJ. Is he making his first start of the season or is he out another week? As of 7pm as I write this post, he’s expected to play. You would think that the line or the O/U would move a bit and it held steadfast. Some lines moved half a point but most stayed at -3. That’s telling me one of two things, either OBJ isn’t going to change the outcome of this game or they already figured he’d be back (since he was a game-time decision last week and practiced more during the week) and he turns the Giants from underdogs to just barely home favorites against the Lions.
There isn’t much to say about the Giants play last week that makes me feel good about them, even with OBJ in the lineup. They didn’t have a number 1 receiver and couldn’t get the running game going but Eli Manning did still complete 76% of his passes. The only thing going for them is their defense.
The lions had all they needed through the air last week but the running game hasn’t been developed yet even with multiple young backs. Abdullah and Washington will carry the team where Riddick will be used more in the slot and swing passes plays they run. The Lions won’t need a running game given the Giants front and how good they are.
These two teams met last year, it wasn’t a pretty game to watch. Both teams had barely crossed 300 total yards of offense and that’ll be the case again tonight as the lineups for these two haven’t changed much at all (yes, even with old Brandon Marshall). Take the Giants to win but the Lions to cover the spread in a close one in the under, Giants 21-20.
Necessary Roughness 