New York Giants at New Orleans Saints Odds

The New York Giants (6-4) will try to bounce back from consecutive defeats when they visit the New Orleans Saints (7-3) Monday night.

Odds makers believe New Orleans has the edge.

The Saints are currently listed as a seven-point favorite with the total set at 51.

The Giants endured a disappointing 17-10 loss at home last week to a Philadelphia Eagles team playing without starting quarterback Michael Vick.

Eli Manning completed 18 of 35 passes for 264 yards with one touchdown and one interception, but it wasn’t enough.

Victor Cruz had a monster game with six catches for 128 yards and a score, but the Giants didn’t get anything from their running game.

Brandon Jacobs led the way with 21 of the team’s 29 net rushing yards.

The Saints are coming off a bye. They were last in action on Nov. 13, winning 26-23 on the road in overtime against division rival Atlanta.

Drew Brees led the attack, completing nearly 70 percent of his 43 passes for 322 yards with two touchdowns and no picks. Eight completions went to Marques Colston, who led the team with 113 receiving yards.

It was a light day on the ground for the Saints, who only netted 41 yards rushing. Pierre Thomas had 29 of those on six carries to lead the team.

New York’s defense, which gave up 391 yards to the Eagles last Sunday, will need to step it up in order to avoid fading in the NFC East race. Things certainly get no easier for the Giants this week as they go up against a New Orleans team currently leading the league with 436.9 yards per game.

The Saints are also second in scoring with 31.3 points per contest.

The Giants are 21st in both total and scoring defense with 362.1 yards and 22.8 points allowed per game.

Defense has also been an issue at times for the Saints, who currently rank 20th in both total and scoring defense with 361.4 yards and 22.8 points allowed per game. They likely won’t have to worry too much about New York’s running game, which is dead last in the league with 83.2 yards per game, but should be concerned about a passing attack that ranks fifth with 281.4 yards a contest.

The New York defense has even more cause for concern as the Saints’ 319.4 passing yards per game is the best tally in the NFL.

The Saints have won three of the last four in the series with the most recent being a 48-27 win at home on Oct. 18, 2009.

The Saints are 4-0 straight up and against the spread at home this season, but it likely wouldn’t be wise to count out the G-men.

They are 4-0 against the spread in their last four Monday nighters and 30-14 against the number in their last 44 road games.

As far as the total is concerned, the under has been the play in this series. These two have finished under the total in five of the last eight meetings with one push.

Jimmy Boyd will keep you winning consistently on the pro gridiron all season with his expert picks. He cashed in easily with the Patriots -16 last Monday night, and his NFL plays are a rock solid 10-5 (67%) since Nov. 13. Don’t make a move before you see which team Jimmy is playing first.