Monday Night Football betting - Giants vs Browns odds
Posted on 10/8/2008 4:17:21 PM
By Stan Simmons
Giants vs Browns odds: Defending champs look to keep rolling
WHO: New York Giants (-7.5) vs. Cleveland Browns (+7.5)
WHAT: Monday Night Football betting
WHEN: October 13 at 8:35 p.m. ET
WHERE: Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio
KEY STATS: Giants are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games
PICK: Giants
Monday Night football betting sharps boldly predicted in the preseason that the Cleveland Browns would be on the rise and the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants would come back down to earth.
Neither one has happened.
Quite the opposite, in fact, as the Browns stumbled out of the gate and have won just once this season. Meanwhile, the Giants have learned to live without Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora, and have defied the Monday Night football odds by starting the season 4-0. Giants vs Browns odds favor New York by 7.5 points.
The Browns’ struggles boil down to an apparent lack of chemistry between quarterback Derek Anderson and his marquee targets—Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow Jr. Cleveland’s three stars never appeared in a preseason game together due to injuries and have yet to regain their spectacular form from 2007.
Anderson finally hooked up with Edwards on a six-yard touchdown pass in Week 4 against the Bengals, however Winslow still appeared visibly upset on the sidelines regarding the lack of balls thrown his way.
On the contrary, everything is peachy in New York, and Eli Manning seems to have a very cozy relationship with his receivers. The Super Bowl MVP connected with nine different players last week en route to a 44-6 thrashing of the Seattle Seahawks, shattering NFL spreads.
Manning’s efficiency will be key in Giants vs Browns betting this week. While the Giants rank in the Top 10 in virtually every team category, the Browns rank in the bottom 10 in all but pass defense.
Don’t let those stats fool you, however—Cleveland’s secondary is one of the worst in the NFL. The Browns lost their best cornerback in Leigh Bodden over the offseason, and now their only hope of containing Manning on Monday night rests on the shoulders of talented pass-rusher Shaun Rogers.
Needless to say, the Giants vs Browns spread is very favorable to online sportsbook customers this week. If Cleveland’s passing game fails once again, it will be forced to rely on veteran running back Jamal Lewis. The former Pro Bowler isn’t the type of slasher necessary to dice the Giants’ D-line, and he’ll have difficulty barreling through some of the league’s elite linemen.
While the Giants vs Browns line suggests a tight game, the New York rushing game should assist in breaking the game open as well. The Giants’ three-headed running attack of Derrick Ward, Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs should have a big day against a Cleveland defense that is notoriously poor against the run as well.
STAN’S PICK: No surprise here. The Giants vs Browns pick is one of the easier NFL picks of the week, so online sportsbook customers can rest easy on Monday night. There are simply too many question marks on both sides of the ball for Cleveland, as NFL betting sharps and the Giants are well-aware. Bet on the New York Giants.
The BetOnline.com Sportsbook features the best Monday Night Football betting, odds and lines in the business. Also check out the Bettor’s Edge, where you can get tips and insight into Giants vs Browns odds and other great NFL picks.
Stan
Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping
has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much
time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps
the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or
questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
