Vikings vs. Giants Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
Two seasons ago the Giants defeated the Vikings in the post-season. That victory presumably caused New York to extend quarterback Daniel Jones to a four-year, $160-million deal. On the flip side, that loss parlayed with other playoff failures certainly played a role in Minnesota moving on from quarterback Kirk Cousins this past off-season.
Now the Vikings enter 2024 with Sam Darnold under centre, pairing him with former LSU receiver turned bonafide superstar Justin Jefferson. New York’s running it back with Jones under centre, pairing him with a shiny new toy in former LSU receiver Malik Nabers. In one way these two franchises made opposite decisions, yet are so similar heading into this NFL campaign. And that’s not necessarily a compliment as you’ll read in the betting analysis below.
Kickoff at MetLife Stadium begins at 1 p.m. EDT with the NFL oddsmakers making this tilt a pick’em on the point spread and the over-under set at 41.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
On Sports Interaction the Giants are pegged to again get six wins — the case when you keep Daniel Jones at quarterback, remove his best weapon in Saquon Barkley, and run everything else back. Minnesota’s win total is just above at 6.5, which is right on par from their 7-10 finish a season ago. Minnesota lost six of their last seven games once losing Kirk Cousins to injury; and with Cousins gone to Atlanta, the chances of Minnesota improving in the short-term are slim.
New York finished as the third-lowest scoring club a season ago (15.6 points per game) which led them to being one of six NFL teams to have 11 of their games finish under the total in 2023. The Giants aren’t fast starters either, dropping six of their last seven season openers. Minnesota hasn’t covered in any of their last five September games though, making Sunday no Battle of the Titans.
Minnesota Vikings
Almost everything you need to know about the Minnesota Vikings in 2024 revolves around the game’s most important position: quarterback. Kirk Cousins out, J.J. McCarthy and Sam Darnold in. McCarthy’s now out on the sidelines for all of 2024 with a meniscus injury, making this Darnold’s team, and possibly a make-it-or-break-it type season for the 2018 third overall pick.
Darnold’s of course got Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to throw to, and veteran running back Aaron Jones has jumped over enemy lines to be the starter in Minnesota. The Vikings possess one of the NFL’s top offensive lines, so the pieces seem to be in place for Darnold’s success.
Brian Flores’ defence gained pass rusher Jonathan Greenard in place of the departed Danielle Hunter, but questions remain in a makeshift, veteran secondary now featuring Shaquill Griffin and 33-year-old Stephon Gillmore alongside 35-year-old Harrison Smith.
New York Giants
The well-discussed storyline with the Giants is whether that bottom-three offence from a season ago will actually improve. Based on Jones’ history, and perhaps more importantly the offensive line play, skepticism remains. The lone bright spot in this group should be rookie receiver Malik Nabers, who of out training camp has all the intangibles of a superstar receiver. But you have to get him the ball (think the famous Ja’Marr Chase over Penei Sewell meme).
Then there’s the Giants defence, which has a strong chance at being horrendous. New York’s defence found itself near the bottom of the league in yards and points allowed last season, and lack talent across the board outside of defensive linemen Brian Burns and Dexter Lawrence II.
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