The answer for market volatility? Bet the under

BEHIND THE NUMBERS

- John Gidley

We all know that last season, the Giants finished with six wins and ten losses. That record matters in New York, but in Las Vegas, they pay attention to different records, namely how teams fare against the spread and if they hit the over or the under. Let’s take a look back at last season to find out how the Giants fared:

In their Week 1 Monday-night opener, the Giants were six-point underdogs at home to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Giants led early, but the Steelers eventually pulled away for a 26-16 victory, covering the spread. As for the over/under, which was 44, it’s a long story: trailing 26-10 late in the fourth quarter, Daniel Jones threw a touchdown pass to Darius Slayton. The Giants then attempted to go for two to make it an eight-point game. Jones’ pass was incomplete, and the under held on to win by a deuce. A tough loss for those who bet the over. Even if the two-point conversion would have only made it a push, at least no one loses.

In Week 2, the Giants were 4.5-point underdogs in Chicago. The over/under was never in doubt, as it was set at 42.5 and the final tally was 30. As for the spread, Graham Gano made a few people very unhappy. His field goal halfway through the fourth quarter made the score 17-13 in favor of the Bears. There was no further scoring in the game. The dreaded half-point loss struck again.

In Week 3, the Giants were un derdogs yet again, but this time only by three playing at home against injury-riddled San Francisco. Even with several missing starters, the 49ers didn’t miss a beat, crushing the Giants by 27 points. Those who bet the over — set at 44 — got a garbage-time assist, as Jeff Wilson’s late touchdown and Robbie Gould’s extra point made the final score 36-9, a one-point win for the over.