After disappointing seasons last year, both the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants decided to change their offenses with the hope that these moves will bring new life to their franchise quarterbacks. Which offense will find its feet first?
Read on for a preview of this intriguing showdown. You can also check out our win total predictions as well as our picks for the 2014-15 NFL season as the NFL season kicks off.
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New York Giants vs. Detroit Lions (7:10 PM ET)
Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
When: Monday, September 8, 7:10 PM ET
Line: New York Giants (+4) at Detroit Lions (-4); total: 47.0 – see all NFL lines
Betting on the New York Giants
The New York Giants may have started their preseason campaign with a perfect 4-0 SU record but concerns abound about quarterback Eli Manning’s ability to grasp the West Coast offense that new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo has installed for the Giants this season.
[sc:NFL240banner ]When McAdoo was hired by the Giants last January, his main task was to reinvigorate the career of the struggling Manning who has misfired for the Giants the past two seasons. In fact, the two-time Super Bowl MVP had a league-worst 27 interceptions last year as he threw his least accurate season (57.5%) for the Giants in the past six years. The 2013-2014 season was the first time Manning threw fewer than 20 touchdowns since he took over the starting position for the Giants back in 2005.
In three preseason matches, Manning has had 42 pass plays for 131 net yards or 3.1 yards per pass play – almost two yards per play lower than the league’s worst rate last season, set by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5.0).
Yes, it is the preseason, but it’s still pretty concerning that Ryan Nassib, the back-up QB is totally outplaying the 33-year-old veteran. The Giants’ offense is in total disarray and head coach Tom Coughlin has decided to play his starters against the Patriots for their fifth and final preseason game.
Adding to Coughlin’s growing concerns was guard Geoff Schwartz’s toe injury, which will sideline the high-priced free agent indefinitely and will leave a huge void in the offensive line. With that being said, Manning remains confident that the Giants will be able to get the hang of the offense eventually.
They Giants need to avoid a slow start just like last year which saw them begin the season with a 0-6 run. They can take heart in their recent away form, though, going 3-2 SU in their last five road games last season. Their last win on the road came against the same team that they will face this Monday, the Detroit Lions.
The Giants are 7-3 SU in their last 10 meetings with Detroit.
Betting on the Detroit Lions
When the Detroit Lions started the season 6-3 last year, it looked like they would barge into the playoffs for the first time since 2011. But then they went into a bad run of form, losing five of their next six games with the final nail in the coffin their 23-20 loss to the Giants at Ford Field.
Matthew Stafford struggled mightily in that game, going 25-for-42 for 222 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. After their collapse, the Lions underwent a major overhaul, chief among them Jim Caldwell replacing Jim Schwartz as their new head coach.
Caldwell coached Peyton Manning in Indianapolis before and his experience in handling top-notch quarterbacks was the main reason why the Lions made the change. Even with his struggles last year, Stafford still led the Lions to the third-best passing yards mark in the NFL with a 280.1 yard average.
It certainly helped that Stafford had Calvin Johnson as his primary pass catcher. Johnson caught 84 passes for 1,492 yards last season to record a career-best 17.8 yard per reception average.
The Lions’ focus this offseason was finding some help for Johnson and they were able to do just that by signing wide receiver Golden Tate and tight end Eric Ebron. With offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi promising a more balanced attack, there will be more opportunities for Johnson to take advantage of this season.
Through three preseason games so far, Stafford went 21-of-30 for 204 yards with two touchdowns and only one interception. If he can cut down his career-high 32 turnovers last year, the Lions stand a good chance not only against the Giants in the opener but all season long.
They will have to improve on their home form though. The Lions were just 4-4 SU in their eight home games last season.
Writer’s Prediction
The Lions (-4) will start the season on the right note and grab a tight victory over the Giants. Create a betting account now and make some money with the first games of the 2014-15 NFL season.
