Betting Picks

Giants at Falcons: MNF NFL Week 7 Betting Preview and Pick

The Monday night game to close Week 7 isn’t a great one, with the 1-5 New York Giants at the 2-4 Atlanta Falcons. There’s only one Monday night game the rest of the way that looks worse: Giants-49ers on November 12. What can you do? The Giants are an Monday Night Football staple, playing in the biggest media market in the country. The Giants vs. Falcons odds for this game, however, reflects just how bad they have been.

Atlanta is a 5-point favorite, according to NFL odds, and is our against the spread pick. The total is 54.5. This series is tied 12-12 all-time including playoffs. The teams last played early in the 2015 season and Atlanta won 24-20 at MetLife Stadium.

Why Atlanta will cover the Giants vs. Falcons odds

The Falcons are a terrific offensive team led by quarterback Matt Ryan and receiver Julio Jones, two of the NFL’s best at their position. Atlanta ranks sixth in yards per game and ninth in points at 27.8. The problem is a defense that allows 417.5 yards and 32.0 points, both second-to-last in the league.

Really, this past Sunday’s 34-29 home win over Tampa Bay summarized the Falcons’ entire season. Ryan (354 yards, three TDs) and Jones (10 catches, 143 yards) had big games, but Atlanta nearly lost anyway because its defense surrendered 512 yards and nearly the game-winning touchdown on a multi-lateral gimmick play as time ran out. The Falcons will be without two key offensive guys Monday in running back Devonta Freeman (placed on IR) and kicker Matt Bryant due to injury. Bryant was hurt hitting a crucial 57-yarder against Tampa Bay. The Falcons are pretty deep at tailback with Tevin Coleman and rookie Ito Smith.

NY Giants betting notes for Monday

The Giants, meanwhile, are below-average on defense and quite terrible offensively in averaging 19.5 points per game. Somewhat hard to believe they aren’t scoring more points with electric talents like rookie running back Saquon Barkley and receiver Odell Beckham Jr., but offenses only go as far as their quarterbacks and Eli Manning simply isn’t a good one at age 37.

Fellow Giants players and certainly most of the fan base want Eli benched, but all the Giants have behind him are guys named Alex Tanney (30-year-old who has played one game in his NFL career) and Kyle Lauletta (fourth-round rookie). It’s an absolute sure thing this franchise takes a QB with its first-round pick next season unless it acquires one some other way (trade, free agency).

NY Giants vs. Atlanta line movement

The Giants vs. Falcons odds opened as low as Falcons -4 at some books and got as high as -6. The total has moved half a point either way.

NY Giants vs. Atlanta matchup trends

• The Giants have covered just three of their past 12 vs. the NFC.
• New York is 3-7 against the spread in its past 10 vs. teams with losing records.
• Atlanta is 5-1 ATS in its past six Monday games.