By Gregory Rollins – Wannamakeabet Staff Writer
Geno Smith will go into Oakland as the starting quarterback for the New York Giants on Sunday quite possibly hated more than he was for the other N.Y. team.
Not only did the move to name Smith as the starting quarterback over Eli Manning enrage Giants fans, but the Vegas oddsmakers decided to give the Raiders two more points (-9 1/2) for this showdown. With this comes the former Jets quarterback’s return to the wonderful world of prop betting.
Prop Bets for Geno Smith Sunday @ Raiders:
TOTAL INTERCEPTIONS FOR GENO SMITH IN WEEK 13
OVER 1 -150
UNDER 1 +110
TOTAL TOUCHDOWNS FOR GENO SMITH IN WEEK 13
OVER 0.5 -175
UNDER 0.5 +135
TOTAL PASSING YARDS FOR GENO SMITH IN WEEK 13
INT – O/U – 1
In four seasons with the Jets (two as a starter), Smith threw 28 TD to go along with 36 INT and a 57.9 completion percentage. If you want to win $100, you have to risk $150 for the former West Virginia QB to throw more than one interception. Oakland made its first interception of the season last week against the Denver Broncos.
MY PICK – Take the under. Raiders can’t turn the ball over in the air and even if Smith throws one INT, no way he throws two. At worst, the bet becomes a push.
TD Thrown – O/U – .5
Raiders are almost double-digit favorites, which means Derek Carr and company could have this game sealed up early. If this is the case, Smith might easily be able to throw a garbage-time TD in the fourth quarter. Oakland allows an average of 23.7 PPG this season.
MY PICK – Take the over. It’s worth the $175 to lay down because it just makes too much sense to throw at least one TD.
Total Passing Yards – O/U – 185.5
This is the hardest one to pick. The Giants have been running the ball more than usual the last few weeks. Wayne Gallman and Orleans Darwka have become a decent 1-2 punch in the backfield. The Raiders allow 353.6 YPG on the ground and in the air combined. If you add this stat with the possibility of a blowout, Smith might sneak another over in his prop bets.
MY PICK: Toughest gamble by far, but I’d go with the over. Only way it doesn’t go over is if Smith is so bad, Manning has to come in for relief, which is a realistic possibility.