Commanders vs. Giants Prediction: New York's Playoff Hopes Will Continue to Fade

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26)
New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) / Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
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It’s unlikely that all four teams from the surprisingly vaunted NFC East will make it to the postseason. With Philadelphia and Dallas all but locked in, it seems like it will come down to either the surging Washington Commanders or the fading New York Giants for the spot. 

Brian Daboll got his team off to a great start, but they’ve lost two straight to get to 7-4 and are banged up on offense. Meanwhile, Ron Rivera gave the keys to Taylor Heinicke and has been rewarded with a 6-1 stretch to get to 7-5 and into the playoff picture. 

These teams matchup twice in the next three weeks, so this a massive stretch in the NFC and it begins with the Commanders as road favorites in East Rutherford. 

Commanders vs. Giants Odds, Spread and Total

Commanders vs. Giants Odds, Spread and Total Movement in NFL Week 13

This game opened as a pick’em, but Washington is now 2 or 2.5 point favorite, depending on the sportsbook. Meanwhile, the total has come down from 42 to 40.5. 

Commanders vs. Giants Prediction and Best Bet

Taylor Heinicke just keeps winning games and while the Giants are facing the injury bug, the Commanders are getting healthier. Chase Young will return to their defensive line on Sunday and that should boost one of the best units in the entire NFL.

They are generating pressure on 25.2% of opponents drop backs which is the fourth best in football and they’re doing it by blitzing at a league average rate. That defense will heat up Daniel Jones a lot and that is a tough position for a team without a No.1 wide receiver. 

Darius Slayton has stepped up over the past couple of weeks, but there isn’t nearly enough playmaking talent on the Giants’ offense. Saquon Barkley hasn’t rushed for 40 yards in either of their past two games, and without his explosiveness, they can’t move the ball consistently. 

Washington’s biggest weakness is their cornerbacks on defense and New York can’t exploit that. I liked Washington earlier in the week and I still feel great about them. 

Pick: Commanders -2.5 (-110)

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change