If there’s one thing to expect in the NFL, it’s to expect the unexpected.
Going into the 2022 NFL season, the New York Giants were listed at +800 to win the NFC East at Bet MGM. Those were the longest odds among the four division teams. Things started as expected in the 1 p.m. games, as Philadelphia and Washington both won as the betting favorites.
Giants Come From Behind to Make Daboll a Winner in Debut
As of halftime of the Giants’ season-opening game at Tennessee, those odds probably hadn’t changed much with New York down 13-0.
The second half, however, was a different story.
- Saquon Barkley caught fire, accounting for nearly 200 yards, including the go-ahead two-point conversion with 1:06 left.
- New head coach Brian Daboll elected to go for two points and the win instead of kicking the extra point to tie the game and hope for overtime.
- Titans kicker Randy Bullock missed a 47-yard field goal attempt, giving New York their first Week 1 victory since 2016.
A Nightmarish Start to 2022 for Dallas
The Dallas Cowboys surprised the nation last year in a 30-28 loss in the season opener at Tampa Bay. This year’s rematch was at AT&T Stadium, but after the first drive of the year netted three points, Dallas was shutout the rest of the way in a 19-3 loss to the Buccaneers.
And to add injury to insult, quarterback Dak Prescott went down with a fracture in his hand and could miss the entire first half of the season.
NFC East Futures Odds Change Quite a Bit After Week 1
Due to the Giants overachieving and Dallas underachieving (and losing their quarterback for 6-8 weeks), Bet MGM‘s futures odds on the NFC East division title have shifted dramatically.
| TEAM | CURRENT ODDS TO WIN NFC EAST | PRESEASON ODDS |
| Philadelphia Eagles | -140 | +140 |
| Washington Commanders | +400 | +500 |
| New York Giants | +500 | +800 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +500 | +160 |
In more good news for the Giants, after winning at 5.5-point underdogs on the road, they are now early 2.5-point favorites at home against Carolina. Their Week 3 matchup at home against Dallas may now be a bit easier with Cooper Rush at quarterback instead of Prescott, and in Week 4, New York hosts Chicago, who is 1-0 but is a game that New York may also be favored in.
The Giants have a chance to get the 2022 season off to a great start, but Philadelphia is still the rightful favorite in the division.
