by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2021
Game time: 8:20 p.m. ET, Sept. 16, 2021
Venue: FedEx Field, Landover, MD
Where to watch: NFL Network
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Washington -3; O/U 40.5; Washington -160, New York +140
BetMGM: Washington -3; O/U 41; Washington -172, New York +150
Caesars: Washington -3; O/U 41; Washington -175, New York +150
Season record
Giants: 0-1
Washington: 0-1
Wayne Root is off to a sizzling start in the NFL, going 6-2 (+$3,950) after Week 1, capped off with the Las Vegas Raiders cashing at +4.5 in that epic Monday Night Football matchup. Catch Wayne’s and other plays available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Giants - Washington preview and analysis
Recent form
Giants: lost 27-13 vs. Broncos on Sept. 12
Washington: lost 20-16 vs. Chargers on Sept. 12
Not only do we get a mediocre matchup on Thursday Night Football, there’s no Fitzmagic, either.
Instead, we just crack open an ice-cold Heinicke and go to town.
It will be quarterback Taylor Heinicke getting the start for the Washington Football Team on Thursday when it hosts the New York Giants in the first meeting between the NFC East rivals this season.
Both teams come in off a loss in Week 1, but perhaps no bigger loss than Washington losing veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick to what’s being diagnosed as a right hip subluxation, which is where the ball is not fully in the hip’s socket. Essentially, it’s a dislocated hip injury and it sounds painful.
Fitzpatrick left the game in the second quarter after going 3 of 6 for 13 yards. Heinicke went 11-of-15 for 122 yards and a touchdown in relief, but not enough to put more than one touchdown on the board against the Los Angeles Chargers.
Despite the loss of Fitzpatrick, ESPN reported Monday that Washington does not plan to go after a fill-in quarterback right now. That includes Cam Newton, who reached the Super Bowl and was league MVP playing under Ron Rivera in Carolina.
The key was Washington’s defense holding Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense to only 20 points, proving that the WFT defense will be a strong calling card this season.
That spells doom and gloom for the Giants coming off a 27-13 loss to the Denver Broncos at MetLife Stadium in Week 1. Daniel Jones once again had another game of completing less than 60 percent of his passes despite throwing for 267 yards and a touchdown.
Offensive coordinator Jason Garrett put the ball in his quarterback’s hands a ton on Sunday while Saquon Barkley was a decoy. Barkley, in his first game in almost a year after recovering from a knee injury, had only 10 carries for 26 yards. One always has to wonder what head coach Joe Judge really does on the sidelines.
New York’s defense couldn’t stop Teddy Bridgewater (28-of-36, 264 yards, two touchdowns), and Melvin Gordon needed only 11 carries to reach 101 yards. That included a 70-yard score to ice the game.
Prediction
The Broncos still have a strong defense, but not strong to keep teams under 20 points every week. The Giants are a rare breed in that the team is just awful. Jones going on the road against that Washington pass rush is a recipe for disaster. New York needs to get Barkley more involved. If not, it’s going to be a field day for Chase Young and Montez Sweat. Redskins by 10
Betting trends
The Giants are 10-3 against the spread in their last 13 as a road dog, and 3-10 straight up.
New York is 6-1 against the spread when a road dog of seven points or less.
Washington is 1-5 against the spread in its last six as a favorite, 1-3 ATS as a home favorite.
Players to watch
Giants: Watch to see how much the Giants get Kenny Golladay more involved. Golladay did have 64 yards on four catches with six targets, but he’s getting $72 million to be a dominant No. 1. Sterling Shepard had a great game Sunday (7 catches, 113 yards, 1 TD), but Golladay will need to be tasked with making big catches on 3rd down if the Giants want a chance in this game.
Washington: With Curtis Samuel still out, Logan Thomas will be a much more vital target to take the pressure off Terry McLaurin. Thomas, the former Virginia Tech quarterback turned tight end, caught all three targets his way for 30 yards and a touchdown.
Statistical leaders
Giants:
Passing: Daniel Jones -- 267 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: Daniel Jones -- 27 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Sterling Shepard -- 113 yards, 1 TD
Defense: Logan Ryan -- 10 tackles
Washington:
Passing: Taylor Heinicke -- 122 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: Antonio Gibson -- 90 yards
Receiving: Terry McLaurin -- 62 yards
Defense: Cole Holcomb -- 11 tackles
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this New York Giants - Washington Football Team prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NFL projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
