Giants vs. Lions Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 1 Odds, Prediction
The Lions return to action looking to build on their first winning campaign in five years, and have emerged as early +141 favourites to claim their first ever NFC North title, and their first divisional crown since 1993. The Giants are also coming off a relatively successful 2022 NFL season, which they closed out with a 9-7-1 record and their first playoff game win since their victory at Super Bowl 46. But faced with stiffer competition in the hard-fought NFC East, the Giants faced tempered expectations as a +160 longshot to return to the postseason.
Despite the skepticism they face from oddsmakers, the Giants are pegged as 3-point road favourites on the NFL odds in Friday’s contest. The Lions trail as +128 moneyline underdogs, and the total is listed at just 35.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Friday night’s matchup marks just the third time in recent years that these teams have faced each other in pre-season action. These teams split their two previous August clashes, with the Giants posting a 30-17 win back in 2018. The Giants claimed straight up victories in two of three pre-season contests last season after going winless throughout the 2021 pre-season, and have won and covered in just one of their past three August road dates.
Things have not gone so well for the Lions, who have lost outright in eight straight pre-season home games and 14 of 16 overall since 2017. Detroit has scored an average of just 17.5 points during their August home swoon, but with opponents outpacing them by an average margin of 10 points per game, the UNDER is 6-2 in that stretch.
New York Giants
The Giants have generated some mixed reviews with their offseason moves. The team has added some key offensive pieces with the signings of receivers Sterling Shepard and Cole Beasley, and rusher James Robinson. Few regulars are expected to see much action on Friday. However, the contest could provide a first peak at a pair of promising youngsters.
New York landed a true centre for quarterback Daniel Jones by selecting John Michael Schmitz in the second round of the NFL Draft, and has been impressed by the performance of versatile receiver Jalin Hyatt, whom they took in the third round.
Detroit Lions
Reports indicate the Lions will also hit the gridiron on Friday with few starts in the lineup. With rookie Hendon Hooker still recovering from a knee injury suffered last season, quarterback duties are expected to be split between Nate Sudfeld and Adrian Martinez. Sudfield saw limited action in just two game appearances last season, while un-drafted rookie Adrian Martinez gets his first taste of NFL action after enduring an injury-plagued final season of college ball last year at Kansas State. All eyes will be on rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs, who is expected to enjoy a lengthy audition after impressing in joint practices this week. Selected 12th overall by the Lions in this year’s NFL Draft, Gibbs racked up 926 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns for the Alabama Crimson Tide last season, and could help fill the void left by the offseason departure of leading rusher Jamaal Williams.
NYG
DET