Giants vs. Patriots Preseason Week 1 NFL Picks: New York to Play for Win

Mike Spector

Last Updated: August 9, 2022 6:25 AM EDT • 2 min 35 sec read. Twitter link Google News Link

Daniel Jones of the New York Giants hands the ball off to Saquon Barkley in the fourth quarter of the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at MetLife Stadium on November 28, 2021 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images via AFP.

The New York Giants and New England Patriots continue their annual tradition of meeting in the preseason, though this time it is in the opener instead of their typical preseason finale matchup. We're breaking down the betting angles with our Giants-Patriots picks.

Former Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll takes over as head coach of the Giants and looks to improve a team that has won more than six games once in the last eight years. And while Bill Belichick begins his 23rd season as head coach of the Patriots, he will be instilling a vastly different offensive scheme than in years past.

Here are my picks and predictions for Thursday's Week 1 preseason matchup between the Giants and Patriots (odds via PointsBet, DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Giants vs. Patriots Game Info

Date/Time: Thursday, Aug. 11, 7 p.m. ETTV: NFL NetworkLocation: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MAWeather: 62 degrees, 34% chance of precipitation, Wind N 5 mph

Giants vs. Patriots Odds Analysis

The Patriots opened as -2 point favorites in early July, but the line has since jumped the fence. As of early Tuesday morning, New England was the far more popular side, as 77% of the tickets and 72% of the cash backed its point spread.

The total ranges from as low as 33.5 at PointsBet to 34.5 at FanDuel and Caesars. There is good two-way action on the total thus far, as 55% of the bets and 63% of the handle is on the Under.

Giants vs. Patriots Picks

Giants vs. Patriots Predictions

Giants -1.5 (-110)

As of this writing, we do not know much about the specific plans of either team heading into this game, other than Daboll declaring, "I anticipate all of our guys playing on Thursday." So much of NFL preseason betting hinges upon what coaches say to the media leading up to the game, and that statement alone forced oddsmakers to move the line as much as four points in New York's favor at some sportsbooks. If Giants starters are playing, there has not yet been any indication of the number of series, but the focal points for betting purposes will clearly be on quarterback Daniel Jones and running back Saquon Barkley.

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Belichick will likely be coy about his plans as he does not often divulge much to the media, even during the regular season. However, if last year's preseason opener is any indication, Patriots starters will get, at most, two series.

Daboll is more likely to gun for a victory since this is his first ever time with a headset on as a head coach. However, despite Belichick's teams being 9-2 in the last three preseasons, we are still siding with the Giants, given their plans for the game are somewhat more known.

Under 34.5 (-110)

Several reports out of Patriots training camp, most notably Tom Curran's from NBC Sports Boston, are that the offense has looked sluggish given the departure of former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Quarterback Mac Jones is only entering year two. Still, it already sounds like he is running a vastly different offensive system, featuring more stretch runs and running out wide instead of between the tackles. It is also fair to question how much Jones will develop this year with former Giants head coach Joe Judge as his quarterbacks coach when Judge has never held that position before.

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From a coaching perspective, the most interesting thing to watch play out in this game is who is calling the plays. Belichick declared there would be no true offensive coordinator, even though de facto OC Matt Patricia will call the plays in this game.

Part of me thinks Belichick wouldn't mind seeing sloppy play offensively to give him more ammunition to motivate the team in practice. But even with offensive-minded Daboll on the other sidelines, it will likely take time for the Giants to absorb his new offensive schemes as well, leading to a lower-scoring game.

Where to Bet on Giants-Patriots

Here are our top-rated sportsbooks:

FanDuel Sportsbook Caesars Sportsbook DraftKings Sportsbook PointsBet BetMGM

SEE ALSO: All picks, odds, and sports betting news. Be sure to check out SportsbookReview.com’s community forums and betting too ls.

Giants-Patriots picks made 8/9/2022 at 7:44 a.m. ET.

Written By:
Mike Spector

I have been in the sports writing industry for over three years, working for sites like BettingPros/FantasyPros, Oddschecker, and Sportsbook Review. In my first year writing for BettingPros, I finished with the #2 overall record in their annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an over/under and moneyline perspective. I am an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, and all college sports. In my opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and I am especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. I am a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." Follow me on Twitter for my best bets and commentary to go along with the wagers.