The Monday Night Football schedule is set in stone once the NFL season begins. The matchups are chosen using a selection of teams that performed well the prior year.
This strategy helps avoid lopsided games and is intended to create dynamic pairings for Monday night’s prime-time NFL games, and works for the most part.
This week is one case where that strategy comes into question because the New York Giants have not lived up to expectations in 2023. Over the first three weeks, the Giants lost to the San Francisco 49ers by 18, barely squeaked by the Arizona Cardinals, and were shut out by the Dallas Cowboys 40-0.
The Seahawks played above their heads in 2022 behind the strong efforts of journeyman quarterback Geno Smith. Things looked shaky this year when Seattle dropped their opener to the Los Angeles Rams, but they followed up that disappointment by reeling off two wins against the Carolina Panthers and Detroit Lions.
Tonight, the Giants must win to keep their playoff aspirations alive. The Philadelphia Eagles lead the NFC East standings with a 4-0 record, and the Cowboys are in second place at 3-1.
The Seahawks need the win to keep pace in a competitive NFC West, which is led by the 4-0 49ers and the 3-1 Rams.
Monday Night Football is set for a kickoff time of 8:15 PM on ESPN. Legal NFL betting sites are favoring Seattle by two points on the road in MetLife Stadium.
Seattle Seahawks vs. New York Giants
Seahawks Point Spread: -2.0
Seahawks Moneyline: -130
Giants Point Spread: +2.0
Giants Moneyline: +110
Over/Under: 47.0
It seems that football oddsmakers aren’t overwhelmingly confident in the Seahawks’ ability to put away inferior teams. Seattle’s defense, the Legion of Boom, has given up 30, 31, and 27 points thus far in 2023.
The Giants have scored 0, 31, and 12 over that same stretch. The NFL over/under combined with the point spreads for each team project a final score of Seattle 25, New York 23.
The Seattle defense will be bolstered by the return of safety Jamal Adams, but with several cornerbacks on the injury report, Giants QB Daniel Jones should be able to post a decent stat line.
NY had been hopeful that running back Saquon Barkley would return to the lineup after missing the last game against the 49ers due to a hamstring injury. Those hopes were dashed, however, as he is listed as doubtful for MNF.
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