Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Giants 2018: Prediction, Betting Odds, Preview For NFL Week 1

The New York Giants are hoping to turn the page on one of the worst years in franchise history. They’ll be tested right away when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 of the 2018 NFL season.

Seemingly everything went wrong for Big Blue in 2017 when they suffered a rash of injuries and found themselves mired in an unexpected quarterback controversy. The end result was a last-place finish in the NFC East with a 3-13 record, setting a franchise record for losses in a season.

New York’s opponent in the season opener knows all about going from worst to first. Jacksonville followed up their own three-win campaign in 2016 with an AFC South crown and a trip to the conference championship game. Only the New England Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers have better Super Bowl odds to start the season in the AFC.

As a team that isn’t one of the Super Bowl favorites in the NFC, the Giants are home underdogs Sunday afternoon. The betting line is three points, according to OddsShark, and the over/under is 42 for a contest that includes arguably the NFL’s best defense.

The Jaguars ranked near the top of the league in just about every defensive category last season. Jacksonville was first in yards allowed per play, passing yards allowed and opponent’s passer rating. They were second in sacks and takeaways, and defensive end Calais Campbell finished second in voting for Defensive Player of the Year.

Facing last year’s Giants’ team, which ranked second-to-last in points scored, would’ve presented a complete mismatch. Was New York able to change that with their offseason moves?

Through the draft and free agency, the Giants attempted to address their inability to score points. They improved the offensive line by signing Nate Solder and drafting Will Hernandez with their second-round pick. New York drafted Saquon Barkley second overall, and the prevailing belief is he’ll immediately become one of the best running backs in football. Odell Beckham Jr. is healthy after missing three-quarters of last season with a broken ankle.

The most important position on the field was not addressed. New York passed on several quarterbacks in the draft and chose to stick with Eli Manning, counting on the 37-year-old to have a bounce-back season. Manning’s 80.4 passer rating a season ago was his second-worst in the last decade.

Manning has been in a decline over the past couple of years. He’s not going to put up monster numbers this season, and he could be in for a long day against one of the league’s elite defenses. The offensive line has some new names, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be dramatically improved.

Ultimately, New York’s offense still has its share of issues, especially when facing a team like Jacksonville.

The Jaguars aren’t any better at quarterback with Blake Bortles under center, and his weapons are limited with Marqise Lee having suffered a season-ending knee injury. Much of Jacksonville’s offense could be kickstarted by the defense. Cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye are prime candidates to create turnovers that will lead to Jacksonville points.

New York’s offense will have its moments because of their playmakers and new head coach Pat Shurmur. It just won’t happen against this defense.

Prediction: Jacksonville over New York, 23-13