In seven of the NFL’s eight divisions, the team that is currently in first place is also currently the betting favorite to win the division. The NFC East is the exception.
At 3-1-1, the Giants are in first place in the NFC East by 1.5 games. But they’re a distant third in the betting odds to win the division.
The betting odds currently list the 2-3 Eagles as the favorites at +170, followed closely by the 2-3 Cowboys at +180. The Giants are third at +320, and the 1-3-1 Commanders are last at +750.
It’s not hard to understand why the bettors aren’t sold on the Giants: Despite managing to win three games, they haven’t looked particularly good while doing so, on either offense or defense. (Their special teams are playing well.) Starting quarterback Jaxson Dart is out for the season and there are doubts about how long they can keep winning with Jameis Winston. And their schedule has been easy; all five teams they’ve played currently have losing records.
The schedule stays easy this week, with a home game against the 1-4 Saints. The Giants are 1.5-point underdogs, which underscores how little faith the bettors have in them. If the Giants manage to win on Sunday, their odds to win the division may improve a little. But it won’t be until November 8, when they travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles, when the Giants can make a statement that they really are the best team in the NFC East. Unless the Giants keep winning through that game, they’re going to stay long shots to win the division.