Last Updated on August 2, 2010 11:00 am by Anthony Rome
Giants Season Odds
After a disappointing 2009 campaign, the New York Giants are hoping to bounce back in 2010 with a new game plan on defense.
The biggest move the Giants made this offseason was showing ’09 defensive coordinator Bill Sheridan the door and hiring former Bills’ DC Perry Fewell. Sheridan was a disaster in his only year as defensive coordinator for the Giants, who under Fewell, should resemble the pass-rushing force they once were.
The Giants made several moves to upgrade their defense over the spring, including signing linebacker Keith Bulluck (formerly of the Titans), safety Deon Grant (Seahawks) and giving Antrel Rolle (Cardinals) a lucrative free agent contract.
In the draft, pundits assumed that the G-Men would target linebacker, both lines, cornerback and running back. In the first round, the team selected USF defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul, who is a raw but talented pass-rusher. In the second, the Giants took East Carolina defensive tackle Linval Joseph and in the third, they selected free safety Chad Jones, who suffered serious injuries in an automobile accident a couple of months ago and will not play this season.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made the Giants 25/1 to win Super Bowl XLV and 11/1 to win the NFC. They’re also +275 on the money line to win the NFC East and have an over/under season win total of 8.5 games this season.
While the Giants did fall apart last season, they made several changes to upgrade their team over the offseason. The defense got a major upgrade in Fewell over Sheridan, who never played to the team’s pass-rushing strengths. The additions of Bulluck, Rolle and Grant should play factors in the team’s success this year as well.
The key is whether or not the Giants can stay healthy. Kenny Phillips, an emerging young star at the safety position, still hasn’t been cleared to practice after having microfracture surgery. There are also concerns that Osi Umenyiora’s hip injury could plague him throughout the season.
But if the Giants’ defense is as improved as most think it’ll be, then this team has enough pieces to make another postseason run. Eli Manning has already proven that he can lead a team to the Super Bowl, although he’ll need more help from Brandon Jacobs and the running game for the G-Men to be successful this season. His young receiving corps will need to step up their game, as well.
The Giants’ odds for this season are just, but that doesn’t mean that at 25/1 they don’t hold a lot of value. This team could surprise this season.
2011 Super Bowl Odds: New York Giants 25/1
Odds to win NFC: New York Giants 11/1
Odds to win NFC East: New York Giants +275
2010 NFL Season Win Totals: New York Giants O/U 8.5
Posted: 8/2/10 11:00AM ET