As the New York Giants approach what is looking like their biggest game of the season, their odds to make the playoffs are now at even money. The odds will likely make a big shift in one direction or the other based on the result of Sunday night’s game between NY and Washington.
Giants, Once 3:1 Favorites to Make Playoffs, Now at Even-Money Odds
Not surprisingly, the Giants’ hot start had them favored to reach the playoffs, sitting at -300 after improving to 6-1 following a win at Jacksonville in Week 7. The G-Men shook off a loss in Seattle by beating Houston, but an unexpected loss to what is turning out to be a pretty darned good Detroit team set the pendulum in the opposite direction.
After a loss in Dallas on Thanksgiving, the Giants couldn’t quite capitalize on good field position in overtime of their game against Washington two weeks ago, settling for a 20-20 tie. Then on Sunday, the Giants were blown out for the first time this season in a 48-22 defeat via 12-1 Philadelphia.
Here’s a look at the progression of Giants playoff odds this season, via DraftKings.
| TEAM | CURRENT ODDS TO MAKE PLAYOFFS | ODDS AFTER WEEK 10 (7-3) | ODDS AFTER WEEK 7 (6-1) | ODDS AFTER WEEK 4 | PRESEASON ODDS |
| New York Giants | -110 | -150 | -300 | +180 | +225 |
Potential Break Could Favor Giants in Week 18
The Giants’ remaining schedule is a bit daunting, but if they can escape Washington with a win, they may have a good chance to win two of their final three games.
| WEEK | NYG OPPONENT | OPPONENT’S RECORD |
| 15 | @ Washington | 7-5-1 |
| 16 | @ Minnesota | 10-3 |
| 17 | vs. Indianapolis | 4-8-1 |
| 18 | @ Philadelphia | 12-1 |
After Washington, let’s give New York a loss at Minnesota and a win over the Colts. At first glance, Week 18 at Philadelphia doesn’t look favorable. The Eagles, however, are essentially 2.5 games ahead of Dallas in the NFC East and Minnesota in the race for the top seed in the NFC playoffs. It’s very possible that Philadelphia will have the No. 1 seed locked up by time the Giants visit Lincoln Financial Field, and if the Eagles rest Jalen Hurts and other starters, that would favor the Giants if it is a must-win game for NY.
Detroit Lurking, but Seattle’s Loss to Carolina Helped Giants’ Odds
After the loss to Philadelphia, Washington jumped ahead of NY in the playoff standings via division record tiebreaker. It appeared that the Giants would be on the outside looking in after the late-afternoon contests on Sunday, but 4-8 Carolina did New York a favor by winning at Seattle.
That knocked the Seahawks’ record to 7-6, leaving NY a half-game ahead of a team that owns a tiebreaker on NY.
| TEAM IN NFC WILD CARD RACE | RECORD | TIEBERAKER NOTES |
| 1. Dallas Cowboys | 10-3 | |
| 2. Washington Commanders | 7-5-1 | Ahead of NYG based on division record (1-2-1 vs. 0-3-1) |
| 3. New York Giants | 7-5-1 | |
| Seattle Seahawks | 7-6 | Owns head-to-head tiebreaker over NYG |
| Detroit Lions | 6-7 | Owns head-to-head tiebreaker over NYG |
The Giants’ tie with Washington was favorable since it likely eliminates losing a tiebreaker to Seattle or Detroit. Now, all eyes point to this Sunday night for the rematch that will likely send the winner to the postseason.
After a rough start in their Week 13 meeting in falling behind 10-0, the Giants played well enough to win. They will need to shake off Sunday’s drubbing by the Eagles while Washington rested, but the game will likely define the 2022 New York Giants.
