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With the Dallas Cowboys playing in the same division, the New York Giants odds to win the 2008 NFC East and 2009 Super Bowl have great value.
Can you say "No respect"? The New York Giants and 2008 Super Bowl champions are getting little despite the fact that the team hasn't changed much during the off season. This is the same team that had huge odds to win the 2008 Super Bowl early on in the season, then went on to win it.
At press time August 7, 2008, the New York Giants odds to win the 2008 NFC East was listed at 3/1 for a payout of $300 on every $100 bet at BodogLife.com. If the Giants were to go on and win the Super Bowl for a second consecutive year - the payout would be 16/1. Hey, nobody thought Padraig Harrington would win the British Open two years in a row either. Harrington's cousin, Kyle, plays in the NFL as an FYI.
The problem with the New York Giants, according to Lindy's 2008 Sports Annual, it is a "team being dismissed as a one-year wonder with a question-mark quarterback who just happened to play his best in the four games that counted the most."
Wonderful! But what about the rest of the season where they managed to go 10-6?
Sure, the Giants won six straight games against teams that had no chance of making it to the post season (barring one).
If anything can be learned from the Giants improbable win it's that Eli Manning has finally emerged as a team leader. This fact cannot be discounted.
"No matter that we won it all, we will still be the underdog," Manning said of the upcoming season. And guess what? That's great for the sports bettor because, quite frankly, this is a team that enters the season underrated.
The Giants were only a -3 ½ favorite at home their opening game against the Washington Redskins at Sportsbook.com. Now consider the fact that Sportsbook.com lists the Skins as 8/1 long shots to win the 2008 NFC East. This line should be closer to -5, at least as we see it here at Gambling911.com.
Now unless the Giants really fall apart early on, sports bettors should have the upper hand supporting this team thanks to the perception that is out there. Of course, if the Giants continue to excel, the public and odds makers should catch on quick. It was that late postseason surge against solid teams that really caught everyone by surprise last year.
After Washington, the Giants will be playing teams prior to their bye week that are well into double digit odds of winning a Super Bowl championship - The Bengals (60/1), St. Louis (75/1) and a somewhat descent Seahawks team at home (25/1 odds).
