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Philadelphia Eagles NFL Week 7 Odds And Props: Time For The Las Vegas Betting Spotlight

The 2-4 Eagles are slight underdogs at NJ sportsbooks in what will be a heavily-watched game against the 4-2 Las Vegas Raiders.

Philadelphia Eagles fans and New Jersey sports bettors shift their focus for NFL Week 7.

It’s party-time, a Sojourn to Sin City and perhaps Moneyline Mardi Gras (the +140 range at most books) as Eagles bettors make the cross-country trip to Las Vegas. A game that has been circled for weeks on people’s vacation calendar comes to life.

The 2-4 Eagles are slight underdogs in what will be a heavily-watched game against the 4-2 Las Vegas Raiders. And that’s only one part of the story.

The other is the getaway to gaming’s original mecca. It’s part vacation and part symbolism, a triumph of legalized sports wagering linking gambling and fan bases roughly 2,500 miles apart.

What other Las Vegas event could draw so many people from this area on a random October weekend? Vegas not only has the brick-and-mortar sportsbooks it always had but a new stadium too.

Eagles vs. Raiders odds at NJ sportsbooks

A closer at the Philly vs. Vegas odds

The Eagles being +3 in a game that began at -2.5 at DraftKings Sportsbook received equal attention to the fans’ road trip.

“A lot of Eagles people are coming to town,” Johnny Avello, the director of race and sportsbook operations for DraftKings told NJ Gambling Sites. “The green is going to show up this week. There are going to be a lot of green shirts in the arena. We’re having a lot of fun with that.”

Early Raiders money pushed the spread back to a field goal in a game that should gain heavy attention.

“This is going to be one of the most interesting games of the week,”
Avello said, “not only in Las Vegas, where we have the brick-and-mortar books, but across the entire NFL network.

“There is a limited slate and a few of the matchups are not that attractive. There are only four afternoon events (The Eagles are a 4:05 p.m. ET start).

Avello noted the Houston Texans-Arizona Cardinals game is not going to attract too much attention and the Detroit Lions against the Los Angeles Rams is not going to draw that much viewership.

“The Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers might. And then you look at this game with a competitive line, and gamblers will be interested,” said Avello.

Eagles vs. Raiders by the numbers

To his point, 52% of the gamblers took the Eagles at -3 according to Thursday’s DraftKings numbers. There was some big money there too because the Eagles only drew 36% of the actual bets. The big gamblers are going green with their financial green, while the overall public remains divided.

The same holds true for the over-under of 49.5. It’s close, with 54% of the bettors taking the under.

Both teams have confused bettors in this area.

The Raiders have been involved in shootouts, like Week 1’s 33-27 triumph over the Baltimore Ravens. They also laid an egg two weeks ago, at home, in a puzzling 20-9 loss to the Chicago Bears.

That snapped a streak of six straight overs at Allegiant Stadium.

The Eagles?

They’ve been involved in a 72-point game, a 42-30 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, and a 28-pointer, the 17-11 setback to the San Francisco 49ers.

The Raiders hit the “over” last week, beating the Denver Broncos 34-24 and the Eagles came in just under the 52-point mark in a 28-22 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Bettors are keenly aware of the ironic relationship gambling has to the game. Had the Eagles’ defense made one more play and forced Tampa Bay to kick a late field goal, the Bucs -7 and the over would have been cashed. Because the Eagles’ defense was inefficient, they covered the spread, and the under bettors held on.

What an industry.

Wagering angles for NJ bettors

Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts has a 248.5 yards hurdle for the over-under. Each side is -115.

QB Derek Carr of the Raiders has a 288.5 standard, -115 on either side.

And as far as early game props go, the Raiders have lopsided odds. The value would be if the Eagles deliver on these.

Here is a look at some:

Will the Eagles score first? Yes is -110
Will they be the first team to reach 10 points? Yes is +125
Will they hit 20 points first? Yes is +155
Total field goals in the game. Over 3.5 is -110, the under is -120

Weighing first score of the game odds

NJ bettors have two factors to weigh here. The first is which team will score first. The other is how will they score. Here is the breakdown:

Raiders touchdown +180
Eagles touchdown +255
Eagles field goal +390
Las Vegas field goal +320
Safety by either team +5500

Another angle is will the game’s first score come before or after 6:00?

Before is -125, after is -105.

And what about the highest-scoring quarter?

First is +750
Second is +175
Third is +600
Fourth is +190

Two-minute warnings and timeouts give huge advantages to the second and fourth quarters, but there are exceptions.

Eagles-Raiders prop board at Caesars Sportsbook

Caesars Sportsbook has Jalen Hurts passing touchdowns over 1.5 is +100. The under is -130

Hurts rushing attempts over 8.5 is -105, the under is -125.

DeVonta Smith reception yards prop is over 8.5 with the over and the under both -115.

Smith’s longest reception is over-under 22.5 yards and is -110 for the over and -120 for the under.

Switching to the Raiders odds, tight end Darren Waller reception yards is over 62.5 yards for -120 and the under is -110.

And here’s an intriguing one: How many quarters will the Eagles win?

None is +700
One is +140
Two is +128
Three is + 575

All of them. Seriously?

It’s +3000.

AP Photo/Isaac Brekken

New York Giants NFL Week 7 Betting Preview: Why Aren’t The G-Men A Bigger Underdog Versus Panthers?

NJ sports bettors are scratching their heads assessing the New York Giants, who take a hospital-like injury report into Sunday’s home game against the 3-3 Carolina Panthers.

How do you handicap this? New Jersey sports bettors scratch their heads assessing the New York Giants, who take a 1-5 record and hospital-like injury report into Sunday’s home game against the 3-3 Carolina Panthers.

The line opened at Carolina -2.5 on Sunday night. Enough bettors jumped on the line to push it to -3 on Monday, but that’s where it stayed as of late Thursday.

NY Giants vs. Panthers odds at NJ sportsbooks

Why hasn’t the Giants-Panthers line moved?

Given the Giants’ injuries to key players like Saquon Barkley (ankle), Kenny Golladay (knee), Kadarius Toney (ankle), and members of its offensive line, it seemed like that line could go higher.

It didn’t.

Should it have?

No, according to Johnny Avello, the director of race and sportsbook operations for DraftKings. He noted some intangibles, which are always hard to project onto a point spread, as examples of why the line is where it belonged Thursday night.

“I don’t think the Panthers are playing all that well,” Avello said of a team that has lost three straight, including a blown lead against the Philadelphia Eagles, after starting 3-0. “The Giants have been in a few games and it’s not like the Panthers are the Kansas City Chiefs.

“When [running back Christian] McCaffrey is not there, they are not the same team,” he added.

Avello considers the injured McCaffrey (hamstring) a two-to-three-point handicapping variable all by himself.

When the Giants got seven points against the New Orleans Saints in Week 4, Avello said they looked ready to give the Saints a tough game. Big Blue prevailed in overtime.

He can neither endorse nor rule out the Giants this week.

“There are reasons to look at the Giants here,” Avello indicated. “When you analyze them, they have covered the spread a couple of times, [against Washington in Week 2 and New Orleans in Week 4]. “With the exception of last week against the Rams [a 38-11 loss], they generally play pretty well at home.

“I don’t think the line should be more than it is, but this is a tough call, it really is.”

Tracking New York-Carolina betting at DraftKings

New Jersey bettors continued pounding Carolina to the tune of 85% at -3 through Thursday evening. If that line is nudged up to -3.5, Carolina betting would likely cool.

As of early Friday morning, the Panthers were a 2.5-point favorite.

The wagering difficulty Avello alluded to carries into the props. Both quarterbacks, Sam Darnold of Carolina and Daniel Jones of the Giants, had the exact same yardage prop, 233.5 yards at DraftKings. That almost never happens. Darnold’s line moved slightly by Friday morning. Both are -115.

Both are favored to throw less than two touchdowns.

The injuries to the Giants will make many of their players hard to find in the prop area.

What props are NJ sportsbooks offering?

Caesars Sportsbook customers will notice several possibilities for anytime scorer. Running back Chuba Hubbard of Carolina is +101 as an anytime scorer. Darnold is +340 and Daniel Jones is +360.

Watch for props on D.J. Moore as a scoring threat and turnover totals for Jones and Darnold as kickoff draws closer. A defensive score is possible in this situation.

It’s tough to know whom New Jersey bettors can trust regarding individual wagering, besides Jones.

The return of Darnold, a former New York Jet, creates interest. Through three games, he looked reborn after being traded to the Panthers.

In the last three games, he’s looked like a Jet.

Darnold has thrown six interceptions over his last three games and has seen drastic dips in his completion percentage, yards, and passer rating.

This is, in some respects, a make-or-break game for him. Criticism is mounting for him in Carolina. A bad game here will encourage sentiment to bench him.

If the Giants rattle him into enough mistakes, they may cover that number.

With depleted personnel, this one may be too tough to call. But New Jersey bettors will try anyway.

Because of injuries, these may not be the real New York Giants. But this is real money and it is an NFL Sunday.

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

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NBA Is Turning 75 And WynnBET Is Celebrating With A Props Party

WynnBET is offering props comparing the 2021-22 season for select NBA stars versus all-time greats tied into the league’s 75th anniversary.

Who sports a better NBA career year, Michael Jordan or Kevin Durant? Allen Iverson or LaMelo Ball? Sir Charles Barkley or Zion Williamson?

It’s impossible to settle the endless debate of players from different eras.

But believe it or not, there are NJ sports betting angles here.

WynnBET posted a prop board comparing the 2021-22 season for select NBA stars versus a great individual year from past NBA legends. Call it a betting celebration tied into the NBA’s 75th anniversary.

The league will be announcing its 75th-anniversary team during the opening week of the regular season.

Six decades of excellence, from the 1960s to the new roaring 2020s, arrive in one place for New Jersey online gamblers. These markets are live in Indiana, Arizona, and Colorado as well.

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More about the WynnBET NBA specials

WynnBET unfurled this prop party, located at the book’s futures section in its NBA menu. Many of the wagers must be made before the Oct. 19 season tipoff, but some can be made later.

No betting limits have been set, as the props are new, although some may be established later.

Season-long action is official after one game, according to a WynnBET spokesman. Odds may adjust at some point during the season and some changes could be made, but for now, the important thing is, it’s up.

It’s caught on. Some lines have already moved.

Joel Embiid vs. Hakeem Olajuwon

So who would win a points and rebound per game battle between two of the game’s most dominant big men? We are talking about the 1993-94 version of former Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon (39.2) versus the 2021-22 version of Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid. The current odds are

Olajuwon: +100
Embiid: -120

Variable: Embiid’s number was 39.1 last year.

Want to bet on some legends you couldn’t play during the era that pre-dated legalized sports wagering (outside of Nevada)?

More NBA 75th anniversary props

Barkley fans may like this one. His third season of combined points and rebounds per game (37.6) versus third-year man Zion Williamson of the New Orleans Pelicans. By the way, the Sixers open the NBA regular season in NOLA Wednesday night.

Here are the odds:

Barkley: -170
Williamson: +125

Can Barkley win a prop bet from the TNT broadcast booth? He got the early wagering love, driving the price up.

Here is some more 76ers love: Iverson’s second season points and assists per game totals (28) versus LaMelo Ball, who is entering his second season with the Charlotte Hornets. The odds are:

Iverson: -170
Ball: +150

Iverson is a legalized sports betting pitchman now for PointsBet. He might want to wager upon himself, but not at this price. That’s the drawback of having a great career.

Current Lakers versus Wilt

The Los Angeles Lakers starting lineup now features All-Stars Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis. But in tonight’s season opener versus the Golden State Warriors, will they score 100 combined points? NBA Hall-of-Famer Wilt Chamberlain had a 100-point game in 1962.

No: -1500
Yes: +600

They’re going three-against-one on the Big Dipper, but he’s still the big chalk. Did you know Chamberlain hit 28 free throws in his 100-point game? (That’s even more than Ben Simmons). Wilt was a 51% lifetime free-throw shooter, but nearly 90% on this night.

Brooklyn Nets prop angles

WynnBET currently has the Brooklyn Nets favored to win the NBA title at +250. The Lakers are second at +400 followed by the defending NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks at +800.

But here is another futures bet to think about: Magic Johnson’s PPG + APG in 1986-87 (36.1) vs. James Harden’s PPG + APG in 2021-22. The odds are:

Johnson: +195
Harden: -230

And here’s a battle of the heavy-hitters: Michael Jordan’s Career PPG (30.1) vs. Kevin Durant’s PPG in 2021-22. The odds are:

Jordan: -310
Durant: +255

Durant has it in him once in a while. Can he do it for a whole season.? The payout is substantial.

NBA nostalgia buffs

WynnBET has put former Laker all-time great Jerry West in the mix versus Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks. For this one, it’s West’s PPG + APG in 1969-70 (38.7) vs. Young’s PPG + APG in 2021-22. The odds are:

West: -160
Young: +140

The Laker great from the 1960s jumps into the fray as a prop favorite. Sixers fans might jump all over Young after what he did to the Sixers in helping the Atlanta Hawks eliminate them in the 2021 NBA Playoffs.

It has gotten some significant action, enough to move the line. Young opened at +125, but the West money clocked in.

“Response in the media has been terrific right after we put this up on Thursday (Oct. 14),” Alan Berg, the senior trading manager for WynnBET, told NJ Gambling Sites.

“… People love to debate who is the best, who did this, who did that, etc.,” he adds. “I am a kid from the 1990s, so to me, Jordan had to be on that list. It was interesting to see which players were going to be used. In the case of Iverson, for instance, is the second year really the season in which he peaked? And how good is the other guy going to be?”

However, how much of a player’s prime do fans and bettors recall?

“Even in the room where we were putting this together there were different levels of connection between us regarding what players we saw,” said Berg. “That’s what makes it charmed is these types of conversations.”

Kobe, Curry, Bird & Shaq

Because gamblers start inside their favorite market and expand, here are a few other considerations.

Kobe Bryant’s career PPG (25) vs. LeBron James’ PPG in 2021-22:

Bryant: -115
James: -105

Larry Bird’s three-point field goals in one game (seven) vs. Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors to record more in one game in 2021-22:

Bird: +160
Curry: -180

Shaquille O’Neal’s PPG + RPG in 1999-2000 (43.3) vs. Giannis Antetokounmpo’s of the Milwaukee Bucks PPG + RPG in 2021-22:

O’Neal: -200
Antetokounmpo: +175

Call this an offshoot for a bar discussion, or any type of video or board game that pits players from different eras against one another.

This goes one step further.

Dreamstime stock image

Philadelphia Eagles TNF Betting Preview: Hurts vs. Brady Kicking Off NFL Week 6 In Prime Time

The Philadelphia Eagles and defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Bucs get this week’s action rolling for NJ sports bettors.

Is it game-time already for the Philadelphia Eagles?

Just four days after Philadelphia defeated the Carolina Panthers, New Jersey sports bettors and Bird Watchers prepare for the Eagles to appear in the national spotlight tonight.

The 2-3 Birds host the 4-1 and defending Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers in prime time, launching NFL Week 6. Thursday Night Football kickoff is 8:20 p.m. on Fox/NFL Network/Prime Video.

Betting patterns mirror those before Philadelphia’s recent 42-30 shootout loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Gamblers believe the Bucs have too much firepower. So how can gamblers play into these perceptions?

Bucs vs. Eagles odds at NJ sportsbooks

Bucs mean bucks

The Bucs opened at -6.5 and obtained a flood of support.

Tampa Bay accounts for 94% of the handle and 89% of the moneyline at -280 according to the DraftKings Sportsbook midweek figures. The Bucs sent a clear message to the book-making world this week.

“People love to play them right now,” Johnny Avello, the director of race and sportsbook operations for DraftKings, told NJ Gambling Sites. “They have been a great prime-time draw. We had them opening night against the Dallas Cowboys and people backed them pretty well.

“We also had them in a Sunday night game against the New England Patriots and people were on them again.

“This week, we opened the line at 7, it went to 6.5 and is really being pushed back the other way. It would not be surprising to see that line back at 7.”

Interestingly, both Tampa Bay primetime efforts produced a narrow moneyline win, but no cover.

Do Bucs opponents find a higher level in prime time?

That question now pertains to the Eagles.

“Things went their way at the end of the game against the Carolina Panthers,” Avello noted about the Eagles’ come-from-behind 21-18 triumph, which included a blocked punt setting up a game-winning TD. “Carolina did not take care of business and let that game slip away.

“The Panthers don’t usually score a lot but they were in pretty good shape in that game,” he added. “I give the Eagles a lot of credit. They hung around and when Carolina could not put them away, they came back and won the game.”

Eagles’ first TD prop considerations for NJ bettors

Start with a wild-card nugget: In both home games, the Eagles have gotten on the board first, with a field goal.

Who will score the first Eagles touchdown?

The Eagles defense is +1800. This has delivered before. The Eagles’ first touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3 came from the defense.

Jalen Hurts is +450. He was the first, last, and only scorer against Carolina.

Other names on the DraftKings board include:

Kenneth Gainwell +800
Jalen Reagor +700
Greg Ward +1400
Zach Ertz +650
Quez Watkins +1000
Miles Sanders +550
DeVonta Smith +500

Looking at these names, Watkins has yet to score a touchdown this season. However, he was on the receiving end of a crucial 53-yard pass from Hurts versus the Panthers. Sooner or later …

Then there is Sanders who is still looking for his first TD of the season. He’s overdue.

And Smith was the first touchdown scorer in Week 1’s 32-6 win over the Atlanta Falcons. Is he due?

More Bucs vs. Eagles scoring props at NJ sportsbooks

.On the wider stage, here is the first touchdown scorer of the game, along with the anytime score payoff. This brings both teams in it.

Tampa Bay:

Leonard Fournette, +800 for first, +100 anytime
Mike Evans, +800 for first, +100 anytime
Chris Godwin, +1000 for first, +125 for anytime

Eagles:

Hurts +1200 to be first, +150 anytime
Smith +1300 for first, +175 anytime
Sanders +1400 for first, +190 anytime.
Zach Ertz +1600 for first, +225 anytime
Kenneth Gainwell +2000 for first, +290 anytime

But will either defense find paydirt?

Tampa Bay +2500 for first and +350 anytime.

Eagles +4000 for first and +550 anytime.

Both teams have scored this year. If they tally first here, that’s huge.

Eagles vs. Bucs betting strategy

So looking at the odds, here is a betting angle on the theory that both teams will tally at least one touchdown, narrowing the field by selecting a first scorer on each team is a good hedge. It can be made in addition to the overall first-time scorer if gamblers have a good hunch, but one bet per team is a good strategy.

The first TD scorer with both teams on the prop pays well but is hard to hit.

It’s often a crapshoot for the first score, although gamblers can hone in on certain teams. The Dallas Cowboys, for instance, like to feed Zeke Elliott for the first touchdown of the game.

Most teams are hard to mirror.

Quarterbacks take what defenses give them. That being said, Tampa’s recent first scores have come from backs circling out of the backfield or running the ball in. That’s been Giovanni Bernard and Ronald Jones in recent weeks.

The Eagles have only scored the first touchdown once this year. That was Smith in Week 1.

However, there is a way to play both sides. DraftKings has an odds boost in which at least one touchdown needs to be scored in every quarter of the game. Yes is +175.

Caesars Sportsbook NJ Thursday night boosts

Caesars Sportsbook is offering a few odds boosts.

Tom Brady to throw at least three touchdowns and 300 yards has been upgraded to +225. Last week versus the Miami Dolphins, Brady threw for 411 yards and five TDs.

Evans and Godwin to clear 63.5 receiving yards each is +300.

Smith to score a touchdown anytime and the Eagles to prevail is +600.

If Sanders and Fournette both score, the payout is +600.

And Here’s a longshot with an angle. Hurts to score first and rush for 45.5 yards is +1900.

Hurts hasn’t scored first yet this year, but he does have three rushing touchdowns. And his season-high rushing yardage is 82, with three games over 45.5

Other TNF prop considerations for NJ bettors

BetMGM encourages customers to re-invest on a good start. If one’s preferred team is up by 10 or more at halftime, the bet is paid in full.

Opt in for the Go for a Halftime Haul promo, place a moneyline wager, and if that team is ahead by 10 or more at halftime, the bet wins. This will tempt bettors to invest their profit in second-half wagers. Max bet is $250.

Here are some other considerations:

Hurts to throw three or more touchdowns is +260.
Bucs to win and 58 or more points scored is +225
Evans to score and Tampa Bay wins is +115

Other props here have three or more requirements. They pay well but be wary, they are tough to hit.

Bettors also can scour for Thursday night promotions. They slowly come in towards the start of the games. Books target their release when they believe betting eyes are locked in.

For those who don’t want to wait, Fox Bet NJ has a double your money promo if either team scores a passing TD. Max bet is $10. This wager is only available between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET on Thursday.

There are a couple of triple your money promos as well:

Evans, Antonio Brown, and Smith to record 50+ receiving yards each (max bet $50)
Hurts 250+ passing yards and 50+ rush yards (max bet is $25)

And if Brady and Hurts each have 300-plus passing yards tonight, Fox Bet customers can earn a 4x payout. Max bet is $50.

For more Philadelphia Eagles talk and analysis, check out the latest episode of Why Eagles Why with Dave Bontempo, Pete Amato, and Bill Gelman.

AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman

New York Giants Week 6 Betting Preview: Long Injury List Factoring Into Odds Versus Rams

NJ online sportsbooks have the New York Giants, who are hurting, as the biggest underdog heading into Sunday’s game at MetLife Stadium.

The New York Giants don’t have a bye week until early November.

But New Jersey online sports bettors may want to give them one now.

Big Blue is difficult, if not impossible, to assess as it brings a 1-4 mark into Sunday’s home contest against the 4-1 Los Angeles Rams.

The Giants are by far the biggest underdog on the Week 6 NFL schedule. That’s not simply because the Rams are a talented team that would normally be favored by close to a touchdown.

The extra points can be attributed to the Giants’ health. The most important administrative component of this team is not a coach. It’s a doctor.

Rams-Giants odds at NJ sportsbooks

Painful recap of Giants-Cowboys game

Few teams have ever encountered what the Giants suffered during Sunday’s 44-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys.

Marquee players fell like dominoes. The Giants must now move forward with the “doubtful” or “questionable” tags hanging over quarterback Daniel Jones, running back Saquon Barkley, receivers Kadarius Toney and Kenny Golladay. That’s after Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton have already been hampered by injuries

There’s only so much a team can adjust to. But before bettors simply switch sides and take the Rams, that’s a big number to lay on the road, regardless of circumstance.

Big Blue players are still hurting

Jones, unfortunately, was coming off his career-high game of 402 yards passing against the New Orleans Saints before he was injured against the Cowboys. The concussion derailed his attempt to put two big games together.

Back-up QB Mike Glennon did play well in his absence and actually can lead this team.

He threw for 196 yards and a touchdown against the Cowboys. One of his two interceptions was misleading, as Trevon Diggs was not called for pushing off a Giants receiver.

Glennon showed he can lead the team. The question is, who can he throw to

The next group down the line includes Evan Engram and John Ross. Look for Ross to try some deep routes, as he did against the Saints in scoring the team’s first touchdown in a Week 4 win.

What about Barkley? Early reports say he is week to week after he stepped on a defender’s foot and hobbled off the field against the Cowboys.

When the star running back misses most of 2020 and just begins to resemble his old self before hobbling off the field, why not wait a week?

There are several injuries to interior linemen too, which are difficult to measure.

Good news, bad news for the Giants

First, the bad news. It’s hard to conceive of many of these key players coming back this week. Hamstrings have not constituted one-week turnarounds in the NFL. If the players do return, how much can they contribute?

If such a term as “good news” exists, the injuries don’t appear to be season-threatening for the players involved.

Even in the best of times, New Jersey bettors could have looked at this game as a looming loss on the schedule.

Would fans accept a split for the Giants in their next two games?

The Carolina Panthers follow the Rams in. Would it be better to accept a loss to the Rams as a fait accompli and rally the troops to go after the Panthers, who can be beaten?

Even that scenario would leave the Giants at 2-5, with the NFL playoff train gearing up to leave the station.

The Giants already are, for all intents and purposes, four games behind the NFC East-leading Dallas Cowboys. They are 1-4 to the Cowboys’ 4-1 and have suffered a head-to-head loss.

The G-Men are facing longshot scenarios

The Rams could be licking their chops

Matthew Stafford led the Rams to 23 second-half points in their 26-17 victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday night.

This is a solid Rams team that has already defeated the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seahawks. The NFC West is considered one of the top divisions in football.

Bettors may look for Darrell Henderson to have a good day on the ground, and both Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp to have big games on the receiving end.

Any of them can be viewed as anytime scorers

A word of caution, however. The production will have to come early if the Rams obtain a big lead.

This is a situation in which starters could be rested in the fourth quarter.

Special-teams touchdowns would be a good consideration too, along with multiple Glennon interceptions if they are posted. If he is throwing often in the second half, the stage would be ripe for a special-teams score.

And here are a couple of NJ sports betting nuggets to think about:

Rams coach Sean McVay is an insane 39-0 when his team leads at halftime.
if players are listed as “questionable” on late-week injury reports, they usually suit up.

Ways to NJ bettors could include Rams-Giants game

Before the legalized-gambling age, this game would’ve been considered a skip. Well, unless bettors felt comfortable laying 10-plus points or could count on the over-under of 47.

But if you really want action, the magical sports-wagering world of today provides outlets. Yes, even with the Rams as a prohibitive -600 on the moneyline (via BetMGM).

Gamblers could take three distinct possibilities at DraftKings Sportsbook and get +118. The selections are the Rams -2.5 against the Giants, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to defeat the Philadelphia Eagles Thursday night straight up and the Kansas City Chiefs to topple the Washington Football Team straight up. All legs of the parlay must hit for it to pay out.

Throw in the Jacksonville Jaguars at +3.5 against the Miami Dolphins and that can spike to +317.

Bettors can also go the other way and take the Giants at +19 with the other games. That makes the spread +133.

If you trust the Chiefs and Bucs, you can even do both of these bets and try to collect twice.

Why not just take the Chiefs and Bucs? That’s -137. A third game, even a possible blowout, is needed to make the bet pay more than even money.

This is not a bad way out for a nearly unplayable game.

These are only a couple of countless possibilities gamblers can carve out across the major NJ sports betting apps like DraftKings, Caesars, BetMGM, and FanDuel, among others. More bets will go up closer to game-time.

AP Photo/Ron Jenkins

Philadelphia Eagles Week 5 Betting Preview: 5 Things To Think About As Birds Fly To Carolina

As the Philadelphia Eagles enter NFL Week 5 hungry for a win, here’s the odds and props playbook from NJ online sportsbooks.

The outcasts are in. The Philadelphia Eagles and Carolina Panthers remind New Jersey sports bettors how fortunes change when they meet Sunday in NFL Week 5.

At this time last season, Jalen Hurts was on the bench for the Eagles and Sam Darnold was an unpopular New York Jet.

Look at them now. Darnold leads the rejuvenated 3-1 Carolina Panthers against a 1-3 Eagles team quarterbacked by Hurts.

Darnold is reborn, producing fireworks with an astounding five rushing touchdowns. He is the first quarterback in league history to rush for five touchdowns in the first four games of the season.

And the Jets didn’t want him. They peddled Darnold to launch the Zach Wilson era. Darnold is laughing last at his 1-3 former team.

Hurts is maligned in some quarters, but has been a human cash register for New Jersey online prop bettors with 713 yards and four touchdown passes in the last two weeks. Gamblers don’t care if some of that came in garbage time.

Darnold enjoys the breakthrough season Hurts still wants to get as they meet in Carolina. Here is a look at five NJ sports betting angles for Sunday’s Eagles-Panthers game.

Eagles vs. Panthers odds at NJ sportsbooks

1. Philadelphia Eagles expected to keep it close

DraftKings Sportsbook bettors faded the Eagles, taking the Kansas City Chiefs at a whopping 98% last week, the book’s highest level of endorsement in any NFL game.

The Eagles’ opponent made good on it by covering the seven points in a 42-30 triumph.

But this week it’s not 98%. It’s 58% for the Birds’ opponent with Carolina -3.5, revealing that a decent percentage of gamblers expect the Eagles to stay in it.

There is a sharps-versus public betting sighting on the over-under of 44.5.

Although 85% of the DraftKings tickets have been cast on the over, only 49% of the money has gone there. The big gamblers think this game finishes under the total and there is precedent.

Five of the last six Carolina games have finished under.

2. Will the Eagles follow the Dallas Cowboys script?

The Dallas Cowboys singed Carolina for 245 rushing yards last week. That made the pass play far easier for quarterback Dak Prescott, who had four TD tosses and only 188 yards.

The ground game is an interesting consideration because the Eagles have not been using it. They only had 29 yards rushing, outside of Hurts, in Week 3. That improved last week with 56 non-Hurts rushing yards and 92 yards on passes to Kenneth Gainwell and Miles Sanders out of the backfield.

Gainwell had six receptions and a score.

If Carolina’s last opponent could run at will, the Eagles will probably use their backs more, even if much of that comes via swing passes.

Hurts wisely targeted his tight ends 13 times last week. This is a success formula going forward. Dallas tight end Dalton Schultz tore up both the Eagles and Panthers on successive weeks. Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert are quality receivers for Hurts.

But is the Eagles’ glass half empty?

They lost points via penalties, again, versus the Kansas City Chiefs. They self-destructed at times.

Or is the glass half full?

DeVonta Smith surpassed 100 yards receiving for the first time. The backfield was more involved. This offense could be ready to put a game together.

3. Eagles’ D is a major concern

Bettors who took the over feasted on the Eagles’ porous defense the past couple of weeks. Philadelphia yielded 41 points to the Dallas Cowboys (granted, a Pick 6 by Dallas doesn’t reflect on the Eagles defense) and 42 points against Kansas City.

In both cases, the Eagles were walloped both up the middle in the running game and deep with the passing attack.

Against Kansas City, Patrick Mahomes tossed five touchdown passes (although two were shovel passes, glorified handoffs that count as TD tosses). Equally concerning for Philadelphia, Clyde Edwards-Helaire had his best rushing effort of the season 102 yards.

Is the defensive glass half-empty?

The Eagles gave up more than 40 points in two consecutive weeks.

Or is it half full?

That was the Cowboys and Chiefs in succession. Carolina scores less (averaging 24.5 points per game).

4. The silent McCaffrey effect

Looking for an edge?

Here’s a possible nugget, coming from Johnny Avello, the director of race and sportsbook operations for DraftKings.

The Panthers have an all-out star in running back Christian McCaffrey. Early reports were that he would not play Sunday, although that decision could come close to game time. However, he was back at practice Wednesday.

What’s McCaffrey’s impact on the line?

“A running back or a wide receiver never gets enough respect to be represented on the betting line,” Avello told NJ Gambling Sites, “but personally I think McCaffrey is worth two or three points. You won’t see this reflected in the official line, but he makes a difference.

“Sam Darnold needs a guy like that,” Avello adds. “He needs to have outlets and McCaffrey gives you that outlet.”

So, when everyone’s covered, Darnold can dump off to McCaffrey, who can turn routine plays into large gains.

If McCaffrey does not play, the other backs are pretty good but they can’t make tacklers miss them the way McCaffrey does.

Look for names like Chuba Hubbard, who had 13 carries last week. Receiver D.J. Moore had eight catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns. He is a legitimate threat and should be considered for yardage and touchdown-scoring props.

This leads us to …

5. Prop City at NJ online sportsbooks

If nothing else, Hurts is rewarding the bettors. He’s hit his yardage and touchdown over totals the last two weeks.

This one is more modest. His passing yardage is over 242.5 at -115 on either side at DraftKings.

Darnold is 252.5 yards for -115 on either side.

If you’re looking at touchdowns for Hurts, the over-under is 1.5. The over is -110, the under is -120.

Can Hurts and Darnold each throw and run for a touchdown? That’s +500.

Miles Sanders over-under 68.5 rushing and receiving yards is -115 either side.

Will the Eagles score more than 2.5 touchdowns? The over is +125, the under is -165.

What about how the opening drives will playout for the Eagles and Panthers? Here is a look at the Caesars Sportsbook odds.

Eagles:

Punt -120
Touchdown +350
Field goal attempt +390
Turnover +460

Carolina:

Punt +113
Touchdown +240
Field goal attempt +350
Turnover +500

NJ sports bettors who think the Eagles’ offense will lead the scoring race may want to check the BetMGM sportsbook odds. Philadelphia to win the race to 10 points is +115 while the first to 20 points is +180.

The Birds to score first is -105. They are 2-2 in that category.

The team that scores first to lose is +140.

AP Photo/Matt Rourke