The final weekend of the NFL regular season kicks off Saturday and finally fans of the New York Giants, New York Jets and New York sports betting in general have something to cheer about.
They get to bet on their mobile devices starting Saturday at 9 a.m. ET within the state.
Four licensed mobile sports wagering operators (Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings NY, FanDuel NY and Rush Street Interactive, parent company of BetRivers) all were given the green light Thursday by the New York State Gaming Commission (NYSGC) to launch at that time.
BallyBet, BetMGM NY, PointsBet, Resorts World and WynnBET, the remaining five conditionally licensed operators, are still working toward satisfying the necessary requirements by law to launch. When those operators meet the criteria, the state will approve them to begin operating on a rolling basis.
Now, to the football at hand.
Giants, Jets Underdogs Once Again
The New York Giants (4-12) host the Washington Football Team (6-10) in an NFC East battle (FOX, 1 p.m. ET).
The Giants are 7-point underdogs on two of New York’s betting apps (Caesars Sportsbook, DraftKings) and are +235 (DraftKings) and +250 (Caesars) moneyline underdogs as of Friday morning. The WFT are solid -300 (DraftKings) and -320 (Caesars) moneyline favorites with the over/under total points ranging from 37.5 (DraftKings) to 38 (Caesars).
The 4-12 New York Jets visit their AFC East and in-state rival, the 10-6 Buffalo Bills, Sunday (CBS, 4:25).
The Jets are overwhelming 16-point underdogs to the Bills on Caesars and 15.5-point underdogs with DraftKings. New York is a +700 moneyline underdog at Caesars and +650 with DraftKings. The Bills are -1100 (Caesars) and -1000 (DraftKings) moneyline favorites with the over/under total points set at 41 on DraftKings and 40.5 with Caesars.
Giants Have Shot at Division Win
WFT edged the Giants at home, 30-29, back on Sept. 16. That seems like many moons ago with all the problems, injuries and COVID-19 situations that have plagued both teams during the past 3½ months.
Last Sunday, the Giants opened up the new year with a 29-3 road loss at the Chicago Bears. With starting quarterback Daniel Jones out with a neck injury, the Giants’ offensive woes continued as they posted 16 net pass yards in the first half, their fewest in a first half of a game since at least 2000.
The Giants are an awful 22-58 since 2017, tied for the worst record in the NFL in that span with, you guessed it, the Jets.
The WFT led the Philadelphia Eagles, 16-7, at halftime last Sunday but stumbled and lost, 20-16, as the Eagles clinched a playoff berth.
Quarterback Taylor Heinicke completed 27 of 36 passes for 247 yards with no touchdowns and one interception and running back Jaret Patterson had 12 carries for 57 yards against Philadelphia, highlighted by an 11-yard TD run in the first quarter to lead the way for Washington.
NewYorkBets.com prediction: Giants head coach Joe Judge has talked about a new foundation and culture within the organization over the past few weeks during his press conferences, but his team has scored a total of 19 points during the last three weeks. There are a lot of things wrong and out-of-place with the Giants, who enter the game with a five-game losing streak. Make it six to end the year. Washington 23, Giants 13.
Jets Can Stop Bills from AFC East Crown
The Jets held their own and led in most of the second and all of the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at home last Sunday. But the Bucs outscored the Jets 11-0 in the fourth quarter and were outdone by Bucs quarterback and old nemesis Tom Brady once again.
Brady finished 34 of 50 for 410 yards, three touchdowns and one interception and tight end Rob Gronkowski posted seven receptions for 115 yards to lead the second half comeback for the Bucs.
Jets rookie quarterback Zach Wilson showed a bit more consistency by completing 19 of 33 passes for 234 yards and one TD in the loss.
The Bills, 45-17 road winners against the Jets back on Nov. 14, upended the Atlanta Falcons at home last Sunday, 29-15, and are one win from clinching the division title for the second consecutive season.
Each of the Bills’ last 17 wins have been by 10 points or more, the longest streak in the NFL in 72 years (since 1950).
Bills quarterback Josh Allen did not have a good day through the air against Atlanta. He completed 11 of 26 passes for just 120 yards, no TDs and three interceptions, but he did have 15 carries for 81 yards and two rush TDs. Running back Devin Singletary had 23 carries for 110 yards and two TDs.
NewYorkBets.com prediction: This will be a mere completion of a season goal set earlier in the season by the Bills as they repeat as division champion. Their sights are set on something bigger as the NFL Playoffs begin next Saturday. Look for Allen to go big through the air early and get some early rest in the second half. Bills 38, Jets 13.
