The New York Giants host the Minnesota Vikings at MetLife Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Giants are slight home underdogs on the NFL odds board to open up the season.
Giants quarterback Daniel Jones will be making his first regular-season start since going down with an ACL tear last year, and my Vikings vs. Giants predictions are zeroing in on one of his receivers ahead of our NFL picks for Sunday, September 8.
Vikings vs Giants prediction
My best betDarius Slayton Over 2.5 receptions (+105 at BetMGM)
My analysis
New York Giants wideout Darius Slayton was the team’s leading receiver last season. He racked up a team-high 770 yards while reeling in 50 of 79 targets for Big Blue. Although the Giants may have added Malik Nabers in the draft, Slayton shouldn’t be overlooked as a veteran option for Daniel Jones.
Slayton is entering his sixth year with the Giants and has taken steps forward in each of the past three seasons. Last year saw the Auburn product tie his career high with 50 catches, while also setting a personal best of 770 receiving yards.
The veteran wideout eclipsed 2.5 receptions in 11 of 17 games last season, as he was consistently targeted with at least four targets in 11 games and five in nine of those contests. While the addition of Nabers will take some of the target share away from Slayton, Darren Waller’s retirement and the departure of Saquon Barkley both favor Slayton entering Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Giants no longer have a reliable tight end and also have a completely revamped backfield, with former Texans running back Devin Singletary at the top of the depth chart. I expect Slayton to be a nice security blanket for Jones as he eases back into action to start the season.
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Vikings vs Giants same-game parlay
Darius Slayton 3+ receptionsDarius Slayton 45+ receiving yardsDaniel Jones 1+ passing touchdown
+350 at BetMGM
Slayton is capable of putting up some decent receiving yards numbers. He recorded 59+ yards in eight of his 17 games last season, as well as eight of 13 contests in the previous year.
Jones infamously only threw for two touchdown passes — both coming in the same game — before going down with an injury last season. With Barkley no longer in the backfield, look for Jones to get the season started right at home.
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Vikings vs Giants odds
Vikings vs Giants live odds
Vikings vs Giants opening odds
- Spread: Minnesota +1 (-115) | New York -1 (-105)
- Moneyline: Minnesota (-110) | New York (-110)
- Over/Under: Over 41.5 (-110) | Under 41.5 (-110)
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
Vikings vs Giants spread and Over/Under analysis
- The Giants opened as one-point favorites at BetMGM back in May but are now +1.5 underdogs entering Sunday. New York got to as high as +2 (-120) earlier this week.
- The Vikings are now road favorites at -1.5 after opening at +1 (-115).
- The total has come down by just half a point after opening at 41.5 in May. The current total is set at 41, with both the Over and Under listed at -110.
