The New York Giants are one of the NFL's oldest franchises and have won championships in nearly every era of pro football. They're also known for pulling off one of the biggest upsets in Super Bowl history. Here's how to understand Giants odds.
Who the New York Giants are
City and stadium
The Giants were founded in 1925, making them one of the league's oldest teams. They played at the Polo Grounds and Yankee Stadium in New York before moving to New Jersey's Meadowlands in 1976. Today they share MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with the New York Jets. The stadium is open-air, and wind swirling through it can make late-season games tricky.
The Mara family has been part of the franchise's ownership since its founding.
Famous eras
- Early championships: the Giants won NFL titles in 1927, 1934, 1938 and 1956.
- The Parcells era: with a dominant defense led by Lawrence Taylor, the Giants won Super Bowls XXI and XXV (1986 and 1990 seasons).
- The Coughlin era: the Giants won Super Bowl XLII (2007 season), stunning the previously unbeaten New England Patriots, and Super Bowl XLVI (2011 season), again against New England.
Rivalries
The NFC East includes the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders. The Eagles rivalry is one of the oldest and most heated. The shared stadium with the Jets adds a local angle.
How to read odds on Giants games
Favorite or underdog
Giants -1 (-110), moneyline -120: implied 120 ÷ 220 = 54.5%, almost a coin flip. Giants +7.5 and +300: implied 100 ÷ 400 = 25.0%.
Upsets and underdog value
The Giants' Super Bowl XLII win over a 16-0 Patriots team, as roughly 12-point underdogs, is a reminder that big underdogs win more often than people expect. That doesn't mean every big underdog is a good pick. It means you should translate the odds into a probability and take it seriously. A +350 underdog wins about 22% of the time, more than one game in five. See why upsets happen.
Worked example: big underdog on the moneyline
Giants +350. Stake 40.
- If they win: profit = 40 × 3.5 = 140
- Implied chance: 100 ÷ 450 = 22.2%
If your honest estimate is 25%:
- EV = 0.25 × 140 − 0.75 × 40 = 35 − 30 = +5
If your estimate is 18%:
- EV = 0.18 × 140 − 0.82 × 40 = 25.2 − 32.8 = -7.6
The difference between a good and bad pick is just a few percentage points of probability.
Meadowlands wind
MetLife Stadium is known for swirling winds, especially later in the season. Check forecasts for totals, and remember that wind affects kicking. See weather and outdoor sports.
Big-market attention
As with the Jets, New York media attention can amplify narratives. Focus on underlying performance rather than headlines. See streaks and form.
Low-scoring games and totals
Many of the Giants' most famous wins, including both Super Bowl wins over New England, were built on defense and low scores. When two teams with strong defenses and conservative offenses meet in swirling Meadowlands wind, totals in the high 30s are common. In low-total games, every field goal matters, and spreads cluster around 3. Before picking a Giants total, ask what kind of game the two styles are likely to produce, then check the wind. See over/under totals.
Season-long markets
If the Giants' win total is 6.5 with the over at +110, the implied chance of seven or more wins is 100 ÷ 210 = 47.6%. Six games a year against NFC East rivals often decide whether a season goes over or under.
What to check before picking Giants games
- Quarterback status and offensive line health.
- Wind at MetLife Stadium.
- Division spots against NFC East rivals.
- Rest and travel, including prime-time games.
- Media narratives vs data.
- Your probability vs the price. See implied probability.
Practice with play money
The Giants are a good team for learning to respect underdog probabilities. On MockSport you can make free play-money picks on Giants moneylines and spreads and track how underdogs perform over a season. Visit the odds page.
FAQ
How many championships have the Giants won?
Eight in total: four NFL championships before the Super Bowl era (1927, 1934, 1938, 1956) and four Super Bowls (XXI, XXV, XLII, XLVI).
Where do the Giants play?
At MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, shared with the New York Jets.
What was the Giants' famous Super Bowl upset?
In Super Bowl XLII, the Giants beat the New England Patriots, who were 18-0 at the time, ending their bid for a perfect season.