A few weeks ago, colleague Ryan Dunleavy examined in The Post whether this 100th season in Giants history is the worst of all.
At 2-11 with four games to go, the this team can’t reach the depths of the 1966 edition in terms of record (1-12-1) or winning percentage (.107) — but there are other considerations that suggest they could be reaching an all-time low.
The Giants could go winless in the NFC East for the first time since the division was created in 1970. They could finish winless at home for the first time since 1974. They have scored the fewest points in the NFL (194 — 27 fewer than the next-worst Patriots). This would be the first time that they came in last in points since 1953, when the league consisted of 12 teams.
Now, there are some new numbers to add to the stew.
The Giants currently stand as 16-point underdogs for Sunday’s game against the Ravens, their largest home underdog spread on record — and that time frame encompasses their homes at Yankee Stadium, Yale Bowl, Shea Stadium, Giants Stadium and now MetLife.
Beyond that, the bottom is falling out on interest in the team. Yes, there was the small plane that flew over MetLife last Sunday with the banner imploring John Mara to “fix this Dumpster fire.”
But the secondary market at Vivid Seats tells a different story, with tickets for the Week 17 home game vs. the Colts starting at $9 with dozens of seat locations available at $14 and under.
It’s basically against my religion in a betting sense to give more than two touchdowns on the road in an NFL game, but I don’t see the alternative here. The game is crucial to the Ravens, who are chasing the Steelers in the NFC North, and are completely healthy and coming off a bye.
I don’t see how the Giants, who are missing Dexter Lawrence, can begin to stop Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson and Co. Or how Tommy DeVito can dent the scoreboard when Malik Nabers and most of his offensive line is listed as questionable or worse.
Minus-16 looks a little less daunting when you look at the reasonable final scores that would cover it — such as, say, 31-13 or even 27-10.
The pick: Ravens -16.
New York Jets (-3.5) over JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
Aaron Rodgers had his first 300-yard passing game as a Jet with 339 at Miami, and the team still seems to be competing for Jeff Ulbrich. In the past three losses, the Jets have averaged 24.6 ppg, while the Jaguars are scoring 10.75 ppg in Mac Jones’ four games as the primary quarterback. Figuring there will be one day in the sun for the Jets this season.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (+4) over Kansas City Chiefs
Watching Jameis Winston play football is like a day at the circus. The experience ranges from seeing death-defying feats to smelling the elephants. He does have home wins over the Ravens and Steelers to his credit. The Chiefs are 12-1 but also have failed to cover their past seven games.
TENNESSEE TITANS (+5) over Cincinnati Bengals
The Titans have isolated road wins against the Dolphins and Texans, but those are their lone covers in 12 games. Still, I’m happy to take meaningful points at home against Cincinnati’s defense. The Bengals covered a similar spread to this at Dallas but needed a colossally dumb play to make it possible.
Washington Commanders (-7.5) over NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
Derek Carr fractured his non-throwing hand in the win over the Giants and entered concussion protocol afterward. With Taysom Hill out, it will huge problem for Saints backers with Carr now also being ruled out and Jake Haener slated to start in his place. Washington is off a late-season bye, Jayden Daniels returns to Louisiana and Marshon Lattimore should make his Commanders debut against his old team.
Dallas Cowboys (+3) over CAROLINA PANTHERS
Carolina has covered five spreads in a row but has gone 2-3 straight-up in those games in which itsaverage spread was +9. Four of those games were decided by three points or fewer. So, I’m not quite ready to back them giving a full field goal when they’ve been the underdogs their past 33 games.
Miami Dolphins (+3) over HOUSTON TEXANS
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle played through injuries against the Jets and are listed as questionable. The bigger problem for Miami is LT Terron Armstead will be out, and that will make it a tough day for Tua Tagovailoa against Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter. However, the Texans play a lot of one-possession games, and even this small spread might end up being decisive.
Indianapolis Colts (+4) over DENVER BRONCOS
When last we saw the Broncos, they were giving up 497 yards passing and 552 yards of total offense to the Browns in a game they ended up winning, 41-32, thanks to three Winston interceptions. The Colts don’t have flashy stats but are a middle-echelon team that’s quite capable of making this a dogfight.
DETROIT LIONS (-2.5) over Buffalo Bills
The ailing Bills defense has been a problem for a while — it has yielded 27, 20, 21 and 44 points over the past five weeks. The Lions should be able to do all of the things the Rams did in their 44-42 win last Sunday, but Detroit also has the offensive line and ball-control ability to keep the ball out of Josh Allen’s hands.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-5.5) over Pittsburgh Steelers
The George Pickens injury is a big one for the Steelers. This could be the game where Pittsburgh gets exposed by an elite team. It’s hard to get away from Mike Tomlin’s career record of covering 66.1 percent as an underdog, but sometimes you have to fold your straight if you suspect a flush.
New England Patriots (+6) over ARIZONA CARDINALS
Though the Cardinals have enjoyed a few blowout home wins this season, their current three-game losing streak in which they’ve averaged 15.3 ppg makes me not want to lay this number against a New England team that’s 3-10 but has had its moments. Maybe the Week 14 bye will rejuvenate the Patriots a bit.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) over LOS ANGELES CHARGERS
Some will shade the Bucs’ three-game streak because the wins were over the Giants, Panthers and Raiders. Worried about the Mike Evans injury, but Baker Mayfield has made it work without him before. And the Chargers have their own injury concerns, including Justin Herbert.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (+2.5) over Green Bay Packers
Surprising to see the Seahawks as this big a home underdog when they’re 8-5, in first place in the NFC West and have a four-game winning streak. Packers also have some injuries in their secondary, which Geno Smith and his healthy receiving corps could exploit.
MONDAY
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (-7) over Chicago Bears
The Vikings led 24-10 in Chicago before winning, 30-27, in overtime on Nov. 24. Sam Darnold threw for 330 yards and two TDs. Caleb Williams threw for 340 yards and two touchdowns, but the Bears looked as if they checked out on the season last week in San Francisco after the justified Matt Eberflus firing.
Betting on the NFL?
Atlanta Falcons (-4) over LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
The Falcons remain one of the enigmas of the 2024 season. The names look great on the depth chart, but they are 6-7 with only one victory by more than one score. It’s a stretch to lay more than a field goal on the road, but I’m figuring playoff desperation will carry the night against a Raiders team that might have to start Desmond Ridder at quarterback.
BEST BETS: Buccaneers, Colts, Seahawks.
LOCK OF THE WEEK: Buccaneers (Locks 7-7 in 2024).
LAST WEEK: 6-6-1 overall, 1-2 Best Bets.
THURSDAY: Rams (W).
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Dave Blezow’s one of the longest tenured NFL handicappers at the Post with picks dating back 31 years. He won the Post’s NFL betting standings in 2021 and the Playoffs most recently in 2023.
