TNF Picks: New York Giants vs. Washington Football Team

New York Giants (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS) vs. Washington Football Team (0-1 SU, 0-1 ATS)

Week 2 NFL

Date/Time: Thursday Night Football, September 16, 2021 at 8:20PM EDT

Where: FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland

TV: NFL Network

Point Spread: NYG +4/WAS -4 (Get the best sportsbook bonus >>> Multiple 100% bonuses!)

Over/Under Total: 42.5

Week two of the NFL season kicks off with a Thursday Night Football matchup between the New York Giants and the Washington Football Team. Each team kicks off their division schedule, and in the NFC East, each win is valuable, as it doesn’t take a ton to win this division. Neither team got off to a good start on Sunday, losing and not covering. The Giants folded at home to the Broncos, 27-13. Washington, meanwhile, gave the Chargers a good go before losing narrowly, 20-16. Which team can get their season jump-started on Thursday?

Can Washington Get it Together?

Ryan Fitzpatrick went down on Sunday with a hip injury. As of this writing, his precise status is unknown. What is known is his advanced age, and with the quick turnaround of this game, his prospects seem dicey. Unlike a lot of teams, who come and go with their QB, this Washington team is accustomed to not having a cemented quarterback. Most of the guys on this team are used to constant shuffling at that position. In addition, it’s unclear how much of a step back the team takes with having Taylor Heinicke in there, as opposed to the erstwhile Fitz.

There were both good and bad signs from Washington on Sunday, things that are more or less indicative of who they are and who they’ve been. Their defense may have allowed some big numbers to the Chargers and Justin Herbert, but allowing 20 points is wholly reasonable and showed the Washington defense to be in decent early-season form. And as is usually the case, it’s so hard to extract points out of the offense. They have some decent pieces, like Antonio Gibson at RB, Logan Thomas at tight end, and Terry McLaurin at WR. Outside of that, however, it’s a bunch of guys who surface some weeks and disappear in others.

Hope for the Giants This Week?

Granted, the Giants are on the road, but they’re in their wheelhouse with an NFC East game. They’re getting points against a team that saw their starting QB go down last week, coming into the short week against a team they beat twice last season. That alone gives credence to their cause this week. They didn’t look all that good on either side on the ball against what might be an underrated Denver team on Sunday. But they’re a team that you could maybe guess wouldn’t start that hot, working in new pieces like WR Kenny Golladay and others on offense, with Barkley still getting up to speed.

Sterling Shepard had a good game on Sunday, and with Darius Slayton, rookie Kadarius Toney, and new addition Golladay, QB Daniel Jones should have options. As Barkley gains comfort with each passing week and if he reclaims his do-everything back appeal, you can envision this offense coming together. Jones’ legs allow him to mask some of the inadequacies upfront, though it still handcuffs this offense and sticks out as a major stumbling block in matchups like this. Still, it was an issue last season, too, and they still completed the season-sweep on Washington.

More Picks: Pats at Jets Week 2 Pick ATS >>>

Line of Scrimmage

Not that the Washington offensive line is all that dynamic. They’re still likely a bottom-half group. But they make for a pretty serviceable group, performing decently last season. The Giants’ offensive line is pretty dicey. In fact, it might be one of the worst in the conference. Against this Washington defensive line, with impactful Chase Young, Montez Sweat, and run-stoppers Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, they are going to be stretched thin. The Giants are trying to get Saquon Barkley back on track. After a tentative week one that showed he’s still working himself back from a knee injury, this would seem to be a rough spot. Against Denver, the Giants’ defensive line was picked apart, moved back, and exploited thoroughly by the run-game. In the trenches, it appears the Giants are operating at a distinct deficit.

Having More Firepower

In the end and from an overly simplistic standpoint, you need points and the players who can deliver. Washington is pretty strapped in that department. Getting solid QB play is something they’ve found more elusive than any other team that comes to mind. Antonio Gibson is versatile but not a game-breaker. Terry McLaurin is a good receiver but still dicey in the role of a true number-one. Other than Thomas, there aren’t many others you can rely on to surface in a given week. Meanwhile, the Giants have Barkley, the mobility of Jones, and the contributions of three proven wide receivers. And last season, the Giants’ superior playmaking ability was good enough to overcome an inferior defense and less reliability in the trenches.

Take the Points

Not that Washington can’t beat the Giants by this margin, but how comfortable does it feel laying points with this offense? It has the looks of a toss-up type of game, and having a little cushion could be helpful, especially with a team that beat this team last year twice despite a lot of injuries over the season. They looked rough in week one at home in a game where more overall scrappiness was forecasted. But after a punishing game with the Chargers, I don’t know how shot out of a cannon Washington will be on the short week. I’ll take the points.

Loot’s Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I’m betting on the New York Giants plus 4 points. Bet this game for FREE by scoring a 200% bonus (Deposit $25, get a free $50 wager!) by registering for a betting account at Intertops through this special link and entering bonus code ROOKIE200 on their special offers page AFTER you’ve made a deposit of 25 bucks or more. The $50 will be added to your balance immediately!