NFL Futures: It has been quite a dichotomy with New York Giants QB Eli Manning, head coach Tom Coughlin, and a Big Blue team that has fallen far short of expectations after winning the Super Bowl in the 2011 season. Manning has also fallen far short of expectations, not to mention his pay grade, though he has also not been surrounded with much help. Coughlin has been challenged by ownership to get the ship right in 2014 and that is a questionable goal at best with the poor play in the past two years. The Giants opened at 40/1 to win the Super Bowl, 25/1 to win the NFC championship, and with an over under win total of eight -130 over and even money under.
New OC
Ben McAdoo replaces the retired Kevin Gilbride as offensive coordinator which delights the fans and could be just the jolt that Eli Manning needs to get back on track. McAdoo was the quarterback coach at Green Bay prior to this new assignment. Owner John Mara declared the offense “broken” so the pressure is already on the new coordinator.
Time for Tom?
Tom Coughlin has led Big Blue to a pair of Super Bowl titles but that is countered with inconsistent and sloppy play in recent years and just one double-digit win season in the past five years. The Giants spent $116 million on free agents to stop the bleeding.
Handicapper’s Notes
The Giants have paid out in just seven out of their last 16 home games against the spread with just eight out of their last 19 home games going over the total. Big Blue has covered the spread in just four out of their last 12 away games with just five out of their last 20 away games going over the total. The Giants have been a decent board value as an underdog with 12 payouts in their last 19 games as a pup with just four out of their last 15 away games going over the total. The Giants have paid out in just eight out of their last 18 games as a favorite with just seven out of their last 20 games as a favorite going over the total.
Our Prognosis
The NFC East is weak enough for the Giants to clear eight wins and get back into the playoffs.
