The NFL regular season is coming to a close as Week 18 is finally upon us. Some teams are playing for improved seeding in the playoffs while other teams are just trying to end the season on a positive note, giving them something to build on moving forward.
The Washington Football Team and the New York Giants fall in the latter category, as this Week 18 matchup features two NFC East teams that have no chance of advancing to the postseason. Both teams will be playing for pride and certain coaches (Joe Judge) could be coaching for their job.
Washington enters the final week with a disappointing 6-10 record and New York owns a dismal 4-12 mark. Given the records and the lack of offensive firepower that both teams possess, we could get an ugly game this weekend between the Football Team and the Giants.
Continue reading below to see my Washington vs Giants predictions, along with my favorite bets.
Please note that all NFL gameday odds are current as of 2:30 p.m. EST on Friday, January 7.
Washington vs Giants Prediction
Expectations were high for Washington entering the season after they signed veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick to be a short-term solution at quarterback.
His ability to be aggressive down the field, coupled with a loaded defense, had people believing that the Football Team could compete for the NFC East crown.
However, Fitzpatrick would suffer a season-ending hip injury early in the campaign and the defense took a major step back from last season.
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With Taylor Heinicke getting the majority of the starts under center since Fitzpatrick went down, Washington’s offense has been a rollercoaster of sorts.
Even with Antonio Gibson and Terry McLaurin on offense, the Football Team didn’t have much of anyone step up, especially with Curtis Samuel hurt for most of the year.
On the other side of the field, the Giants have had similar issues as Daniel Jones has been sidelined since Week 12 due to a neck injury.
With Jones and backup Mike Glennon (wrist) out, Jake Fromm will likely draw the start for New York in the season finale.
While Heinicke hasn’t been spectacular in any way this season, Washington does have the edge at quarterback here, and they have a defense that is talented enough to slow down Saquon Barkley and force Fromm into making mistakes.
Prediction: Washington 20, Giants 10
Washington Football Team running back Jaret Patterson could have earned some playing time in Week 18, even if starter Antonio Gibson returns to the lineup. (Image: USA TODAY Sports)
Washington vs Giants Best Bets
Best Bet: Washington -7 (-110) at Caesars
Wager: 1 Unit
This is going to be an extremely ugly game. Neither Washington nor New York are teams that we should be confident in betting on, but the Football Team is seemingly the superior team entering the final week.
Regardless of whether or not Antonio Gibson is able to suit up in Week 18, Washington should be able to have plenty of success running the ball against New York’s No. 27 ranked defense in rush DVOA.
We could see Jaret Patterson get the nod at running back for the Football Team again after he produced 98 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on 17 touches against the Eagles in Week 17.
Betting on Washington to cover is less about being confident in the Football Team’s ability to create offense, but rather more about the ineptitude of New York.
The Giants have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games, giving us even more of a reason to make the Football Team our NFL pick of the day.
Best Bet: Under 38 Total Points (-110) at Caesars
Wager: 1 Unit
The impending showdown between the Football Team and the Giants owns the lowest projected total of all the games on the Week 18 slate. Who is to argue with Vegas as neither team has shown consistency in being able to score in bunches.
It’s always risky playing the under for a such low projected total, but I just don’t know where scoring will come from for either team.
Washington’s defense could create some turnovers from Fromm, which could lead to short fields for Heinicke and the offense.
That being said, I don’t have any confidence in Heinicke or Fromm to lead their team to 30+ points in this contest, especially with both teams having nothing to play for.
The under has hit in eight of Washington’s last 11 games and in 15 of their last 18 road meetings with New York.
Meanwhile, the Giants’ games have hit the under in eight of their last 10. And at home, they’ve failed to reach the over in 10 of their last 11 games at MetLife Stadium.
Skyler Carlin’s NFL Betting Record: 7-18-1
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