It will be 2022 and bettors will have mobile New York sports betting apps before we see some upward mobility among both New York City area NFL teams.
All season in 2021, the Jets and Giants have made it very tough to place money on the local sides. But with both squads going nowhere this season, at least one has some direction and a path to rebuilding.
The New York Jets (4-11) play their second consecutive home game as the defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-4) come to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford (Fox, 1 p.m.).
Late Tuesday afternoon, two mobile sports betting platforms had set the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an overwhelming 13.5-point favorite: DraftKings NY and BetMGM NY.
The Bucs are -760 (DraftKings) and -800 (BetMGM) moneyline favorites with the Jets coming in at +525 (DraftKings) and +550 (BetMGM). The over/under total points is at 45.5 on both sites.
The 4-11 New York Giants hit the road again as they visit the 5-10 Chicago Bears (CBS, 1 p.m.)
The Giants are 6-point (BetMGM) and 6.5-point (DraftKings) underdogs to the Bears with +215 (DraftKings) and +225 (BetMGM) moneyline numbers posted. The Bears are -265 (DraftKings) and -275 (BetMGM) moneyline favorites with the over/under total points at 37.5 (DraftKings) and 38 (BetMGM).
Bettors beware: Keep an eye on these lines, as they could shift significantly if issues related to COVID-19 lead to changes in any of the four rosters as the week goes on. More players have hit the COVID-19 list since Dec. 13 than there had been in the entire 2020 season.
Here Comes Tom Brady
The Bucs captured their first NFC South crown since 2007 as they rolled over a division rival in the Carolina Panthers, 32-6, last Sunday in Charlotte. With the win, Tampa Bay now has 11+ wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history.
Quarterback Tom Brady completed 18 of 30 passes for 232 yards and one touchdown and wide receiver Antonio Brown had 10 catches for 101 yards to lead the Bucs.
Brady is now 69-17 in his career as a starter in December, 17 more wins than any other quarterback in December in 51 years (1970).
The Jets upended the Jacksonville Jaguars, 26-21, on Sunday at home for their fourth win of the season. Quarterback Zach Wilson is starting to show signs that he gets it; he completed 14 of 22 passes for just 102 yards and one TD against the Jaguars, but he also rushed four times for 91 yards. Wilson’s ground game was highlighted by his 52-yard scramble to the right side for a TD in the first quarter. Also, Michael Carter went over 100 yards (16 carries, 108 yards) for the Jets.
The run was so big for not only the team’s confidence, but for Wilson as well. The overall second pick in the draft, Wilson could continue his forward progress for the last two games of the year and provide serious reason for hope next year.
NewYorkBets.com prediction: It will be interesting to see if the Bucs rest some players after clinching the division last week. The Jets have nothing to lose and want to build on what they did last week, especially Wilson. Will it be enough to be competitive? No. Buccaneers 41, Jets 17.
A Giant Failure This Season
The Giants have a lot of issues continuing to build, as evidenced by their 34-10 road loss last Sunday to their hated rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles outscored the Giants in the second half, 31-7, after the game was deadlocked at halftime, 3-3.
Giants quarterbacks Jake Fromm, who had his first career start last week, and Mike Glennon were a combined 23 of 48 for 118 yards, one TD and two interceptions.
The Giants' defense, which has been solid as of late, hung in there for a half, but the Eagles running attack and a wake-up call by quarterback Jalen Hurts in the second half did in New York.
Nick Foles, the former Super Bowl MVP with the Eagles, led the Bears to a dramatic 25-24 come-from-behind victory over the host Seattle Seahawks last Sunday.
Down 24-14 entering the fourth quarter, the Bears won the final stanza, 11-0, as Foles led a game-winning TD drive late in the quarter and added a 2-point conversion.
Foles was 24 of 35 for 250 yards and one TD in the win.
NewYorkBets.com prediction: The Giants act like they don’t want to be there. Meanwhile, the Bears have shown some heart at the end of the season for their more-than-likely ousted head coach Matt Nagy. Bears 27, Giants 10.
