If there’s ever a guarantee for a high-scoring matchup, it’s when the Saints and Giants get together.
These teams have met four times in the (Eli) Manning-Brees era. The point totals for those meetings: 75, 73, 79, and last year’s 101-point shootout. The Giants are 1-3 in those games, but are still a four-point favorite for Sunday according to OddsShark.com.
The Giants got a huge road win to start the season in Dallas, but face a much different look this week on defense. The Cowboys were limited in Dak Prescott’s first career start, and the Giants secondary will be tested against the Saints offense. Where the Giants should have an advantage is rushing the passer, where they faced a tough matchup against the Cowboys front but should put the heat on Brees often.
The Saints offense did well enough to win in their home opener, but their defense let them down late against the Raiders. Oakland was simply the team that scored last in a 35-34 thriller, and used a two-point conversion to steal the game in the final seconds.
With two talented quarterbacks squaring off, it will likely take a big play on defense to determine the outcome of this game. The Saints couldn’t get a turnover against Oakland, and didn’t record a single sack. The Giants didn’t set the world on fire against Dallas, but did hold Dez Bryant to just one reception for eight yards. Prescott’s inexperience had such a large influence on that game, it’s still unclear how good the Giants defense really is.
Either way, they won’t be held without a sack on Sunday. The Giants will be all over Brees on Sunday, and Odell Beckham Jr. will do something ridiculous in the endzone against the Saints porous defense.
Heavy’s Pick: Giants 45 Saints 29. Giants -4. Over on the point total.