Eli Manning and the Giants look to get back on track with a much-needed victory on Sunday. (Getty)
Is this really a rivalry game?
The New York Jets and New York Giants don’t play in the same division (just the same stadium) and they haven’t even played during the regular since 2011. So, can we really call this a rivalry game? Kind of.
If nothing else, Sunday afternoon’s MetLife matchup is important, not because of the rivalry, but because of what a victory would represent. A win would keep one squad’s playoff hopes alive and could help spark a late-season push. So, it doesn’t really matter what we call this game. It’s important.
The Jets come into the Sunday afternoon faceoff as slim 1-point favorites in their, technical, road game according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Of course, that makes sense. The Giants have been consistently inconsistent this year in a season filled with almost-victories and probably-should-have-won games.
Odell Beckham has been, as expected, a bright spot in Big Blue’s offensive scheme, but while the second-year receiver has been catching touchdowns, the Giants run game is bordering on woeful. The Giants are 28th in the league with 89.4 rushing yards per game and are coming off a 33-yard performance in last week’s loss to the Washington Redskins.
Still, there’s some reason to think the Giants can turn it around this afternoon.
The Jets have been less-than-impressive in this matchup during recent seasons, going 0-5 SUT and 0-4-1 ATS in their last five games against the Giants. Add into the mix that Gang Green is 1-4-1 ATS and 2-4 SU in their last six games and it’s difficult to be overly confident.
This is going to be a close one and a lot is going to depend on who can get a quick start. Each squad is also facing its fair share of injury woes. The Giants offensive line is a bit of a patchwork, particularly after losing Geoff Schwartz to a season-ending leg injury last week. On the flip side, the Jets will once again be without the defensive services of Darrelle Revis, who was ruled out earlier this week.
The total for Sunday afternoon’s New York and New York inter-stadium matchup is set at 45 points according to the sportsbooks. The total has gone OVER in six of the Jets last seven games and OVER in five of the Giants last six games at home.
The OddsShark computer is predicting a 27.8 – 20.8 Jets victory.
New York vs. New York pick: Jets SU & ATS
