Giants vs. Jets 2019: Prediction Against The Spread, Betting Odds, Preview For NFL Preseason Week 1

The annual exhibition game between the New York Giants and New York Jets will have a different feel to it in 2019. Instead of facing off in Week 3 of the preseason as they typically do, the two teams that both call MetLife Stadium home will meet in Week 1 of the preseason this year.

Starters often see the field for a significant portion of their team’s third preseason game. That won’t be the case Thursday night when the Giants and Jets will be hoping to escape without any injuries to their most important players.

The Jets are favored by 1.5 points, according to the latest betting line at OddsShark. The over/under is 33.

The point spread would likely be larger if the starters were expected to play more. The Jets still have the advantage, looking to beat the Giants for the first time in four years.

When the Giants defeated the Jets 22-16 in last year’s preseason matchup, Eli Manning led the way with 188 yards on 17-23 passing. The two-time Super Bowl MVP won’t get nearly that many attempts if he even plays at all.

Giants head coach Pat Shurmur hasn’t revealed his plan for Manning, though it could be similar to the way he handled the quarterback a year ago. Manning completed four of seven passes for 26 yards in Week 1 of the 2018 preseason. The Cleveland Browns beat the Giants 20-10 as Davis Webb led the Giants with 22 pass attempts.

Webb will be on the opposite sideline a year later. He’s one of the Jets’ backup quarterbacks and could see a decent amount of playing time. It’s unknown for how long Jets coach Adam Gase will keep starting quarterback Sam Darnold in the contest.

We do know that No.6 overall pick Daniel Jones will spend some time under for the Giants. That could be a difference-maker Thursday night as the rookie makes his NFL debut.

The Giants stunned much of the league when they selected Jones with such a high selection. He could struggle for however long he plays Thursday night.

The same goes for Kyle Lauletta, who was bad in his first preseason last year. He went 8-19 for 118 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions when he got the bulk of the playing time in a 17-12 loss to the New England Patriots in the preseason finale. Lauletta had a sub-80.0 passer rating in all four exhibition contests, failing to post a 60.0 rating three times.

Third-string quarterback Alex Tanney might provide the Giants with their most steady quarterback play once Manning is out.

Webb was released by the Giants before the start of last season, but he did have some moments in the preseason. The former third-round pick threw for 140 yards and a 106.3 passer rating in a 30-17 victory over the Detroit Lions in Week 2 of the 2018 preseason.

Trevor Siemian also gives the Jets a competent option at quarterback.

The Miami Dolphins went 2-1 in Week 1 of the preseason under Gase, scoring at least 23 points in each contest. That included a 27-10 victory over the Giants in 2016.

The Jets beat the Atlanta Falcons 17-0 in Week 1 of the 2018 preseason. The Giants were limited to 10 points in their only preseason debut under Shurmur.

Look for the Jets to snap their losing streak against the Giants, possibly giving a small preview of what’s to come when the teams meet again in the regular season.

Prediction: Jets over Giants, 23-13