We kick off NFL Week 3 in the bay area, with the 49ers hosting the Giants at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers have shot out of the gate, winning their first two games to sit atop the NFC West. The Giants, meanwhile, are 1-1, however could easily have been 0-2 and staring down the barrel of their season being over, if not for a come-from-behind victory last week over the Cardinals.
We’ve struggled so far on Thursday Night Football, losing all 3 of our bets, however, remain essentially even during prime time, with our record currently sitting at 3-3 (+0.14u). Let’s get some momentum after going 2-0 on Monday Night Football.
NFL Week 3 Preview & Betting Tips
San Francisco 49ers vs New York Giants
Levi’s Stadium, Friday 22nd September, 10:15am (AEST)
Last Week
The 49ers found themselves in more of a dog fight than they’d perhaps anticipated, as they took on Divisional rivals the Rams. It was 17-apiece at the half, with Shanahan making some solid adjustments at half-time defensively, eventually getting home 30-23. The 49ers managed to win the turnover battle 2-0, whilst gaining 1.9 yards per play more than the Rams. Christian McCaffrey was once again phenomenal, running for 116 yards and a touchdown. He is someone who if he can stay healthy, will be a tremendous bet for Offensive Player of the Year.
As for the Giants, their season was teetering on the edge, after getting spanked 40-0 in week 1 by the Cowboys. They headed west for week 2, to take on the lowly rated Cardinals, and the first half was enough to make any Giants’ fan give up. The Cardinals led 20-0 at the half, and later led 28-7, before Daniel Jones mounted a miraculous comeback, scoring 24 straight points to sneak home, 31-28. In a huge injury, Saquon Barkley went down late, and will likely miss out at least a week with an ankle injury.
Injury Report
San Francisco 49ers
Samuel Womack / Darrell Luter Jr (CB) – OUT
Robert Beal Jr (DE) – OUT
Danny Gray (WR) – OUT
Cameron Latu (TE) – OUT
Brandon Aiyuk (WR) – Questionable
Ambry Thomas (CB) – Questionable
New York Giants
Jarrad Davis (MLB) – OUT
J.C. Hassenauer / Wyatt Davis (IOL) – OUT
Chris Myarick / Tommy Sweeney (TE) – OUT
Aaron Robinson (CB) – OUT
Bryce Ford-Wheaton (WR) – OUT
Wan’Dale Robinson (WR) – Questionable
Saquon Barkley (RB) – Questionable
Ben Bredeson (OG) – Questionable
Andrew Thomas (OT) – Questionable
Azeez Ojulari (DE) – Questionable
Match Preview
This will be the first matchup between these teams since 2020, when the 49ers destroyed the Giants in New York, 36-9. Both teams made the playoffs last season, and the 49ers are well on their way to making it back this season after starting 2-0. The Giant’s record is fine (1-1); however, their performances are cause for concern, and with the potential losses this week of Barkley, Thomas, Bredeson, and Ojulari, it looks highly likely that they will drop to 1-2.
The look ahead had the 49ers as 9.5-point favourites heading into the week 2 games, before re-opening at 49ers -10 after the Sunday slate of games. Early money did come in on the 49ers, pushing the number out to 10.5, however there has been resistance, pushing the number back to 10. My number for the game is 49ers -11, so with the number sitting on 10, I don’t see a tonne of value. You can get a decent price for 49ers -9.5 at Betfair ($1.86), and if this ever gets to $1.91, I’ll be pulling the trigger.
As for the total, the look ahead had it at 43.5, however after last weekend’s points-fest, the total re-opened at 45.5. It has been bet down slightly to 44.5, and given the defensive performances from the Giants over the first two weeks, I fully expect the 49ers to score in this one. I’d like to bet on the first half over for the 49ers, but the price just isn’t there, so we will go the full game over for the 49ers. I see them getting to 30 in this one quite comfortably.
Small stakes, given the Thursday Night Football bets so far this season.
49ers (team total) over 27.5
$1.97 (1.5 Units)
