Week 1 of the 2023 NFL preseason is officially upon us. Can you believe it? We sure can't. But we are nevertheless ready to dive back into betting on the latest NFL odds. To get us started, we’ll be focusing on the Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants matchup scheduled for Friday, August 11, at 7 p.m. EST on the hallowed ground of Ford Field in Detroit Michigan.
Despite not being televised on a major network, this matchup has tons of appeal. Detroit and New York recently held joint practices, which means they’ve scrimmaged against one another. That should lay the groundwork for a thoroughly competitive head-to-head on Friday night.
Before we get to our 2023 NFL preseason picks, here’s a look at the latest Detroit Lions vs. New York Giants betting odds:
| Favorite |  | | Underdog |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York Giants | -160 | +135 | Detroit Lions |
Always remember to double-check NFL betting odds right up until you actually submit your wager. Our Lions vs. Giants odds are accurate as of Monday, August 7. That gives the best online sportsbooks in the United States plenty of time before Friday’s opening kickoff to make adjustments relative to the wagering market and latest news.
For the time being, oddsmakers have decided that the Giants should be favored to beat the Lions in Week 1 of the preseason. This might make sense if both teams were playing at full strength. After all, New York upgraded major parts of the roster over the offseason.
But this is preseason football. Our approach to betting on the NFL must be adjusted during this time. And relative to how rotation patterns are run during exhibition contests, should the Giants still be favored to win?
This Might be a Good Time to Capitalize on Detroit Lions Underdog Odds
There is plenty to like about the Giants offense leading into this season. Saquon Barkley is once again healthy. The team also added star tight end Darren Waller. The organization believes starting quarterback Daniel Jones is on the cusp of making significant improvement as a passer. For our money, the Giants profile as an intriguing sleeper team in the NFC East division.
Still, for this lone matchup against Detroit, we can’t let ourselves get too high on their supply. Barkley isn’t going to suit up versus the Lions. Waller isn’t expected to play, either. Their absences stand to infringe upon Jones’ performance under center. And even if he outplays expectations, there’s a chance Giants head coach Brian Daboll only plays him in the first quarter rather than the entire first half.
The Lions, for their part, will no doubt rest some of their veterans, such as wide receiver Marvin Jones Jr. and starting quarterback Jason Goff. But they have a bunch of tantalizing youngsters projected to get on the field, including rookies Sam LaPorta (tight end) and Jahmyr Gibbs (running back).
Skeptics will point to an iffy secondary quarterback rotation. Goff is sitting out, and rookie Hendon Hooker continues to battle a knee injury. Nate Sudfeld and the recently signed Teddy Bridgewater are expected to get a majority of the first-team reps.
And you know what? That works for us. Both QBs offer mobility and reasonable arm strength. The Lions running back and wideout rotation is also deep enough to add value no matter who’s taking the snaps under center. Coupled with the fact Detroit is playing at home, we like them to overcome the odds and win this one.
Is There Any Value in the Point Spread for New York vs. Detroit?
Here are the latest NFL point spread betting lines for Lions vs. Giants this Friday:
- New York Giants, -3 (-110)
- Detroit Lions, +3 (-110)
This one, obviously, is a no-brainer for us. We have the Lions winning, so a +3 spread looks like an easy decision.
Still, we’d recommend going for the bigger swing. Betting on the Lions’ moneyling offers a 1.35-to-1 payout. Working their spread doesn’t even get you even money. That might be a good way to go if it was a +5 or +6, but if this game is going to be determined by a field goal or less, you might as well roll the dice on an outright victory.
Will the Giants and Lions Look to Throw the Ball in Week 1 of the Preseason?
Take a look at the latest NFL over/under betting odds for Giants vs. Lions:
- Over 36.5 (-110)
- Under 36.5 (-110)
In recent years, we have seen sportsbooks substantially lower their final score totals during the NFL preseason. This trend started around 2018, when a number of operators were burned by almost 10 games in a single week failing to eclipse 38 total points.
Worrying about lower totals makes sense when teams are rolling out starters and attempting to protect their health. That’s not necessarily happening here. Detroit’s QB1 will be on the sidelines. Ditto for New York’s RB1 and TE1.
Expect both head coaches to give their offenses more aggressive green lights, particularly in the second half, as they really lean into testing out certified backups and training-camp invites.
To be sure, we’re not saying each team will top 35 points. But the Giants and Lions should, at least, both clear 20 points.
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