NFL Week 1 Vikings vs. Giants odds, best prop bet: Paydirt for RB Jones

After six long months without football, the first week of NFL action is here and we have everything you need to know about the odds for the Minnesota Vikings vs. New York Giants game.

Bookmakers expect this matchup to be exciting until the end, and the Vikings are expected to leave MetLife Stadium with a win. Both teams are in a transition phase, but Week 1 could show us if the Vikings or the Giants are ready to exceed expectations.

NFL Week 1 Vikings vs. Giants odds

The point differential started at -1.5 for the Vikings and has barely budged since, even at BetMGM Sportsbook. Moneyline bets don't give either team much of an edge, with the Vikings at -125 and the Giants at +105.

According to TeamRankings, both teams finished at 50% coverage last season, with the Vikings going 7-7-3 against the spread and the Giants going 8-8-1.

The total wager is set at 41 and is one of the lower over/unders in the NFL odds for Week 1. The only matchups with lower totals are Patriots vs. Bengals, Steelers vs. Falcons, and Panthers vs. Saints.

Why Minnesota could win as favorite

After the departure of Kirk Cousins, the Vikings have an interesting situation at the quarterback position. The Vikings selected JJ McCarthy 10th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. During his competition for the starting quarterback spot with Sam Darnold, McCarthy suffered a season-ending injury.

Darnold's six seasons in the NFL are a plus, but the former USC Trojan has failed to secure a starting spot over the past two seasons. Fortunately, Darnold has a top-notch trio of pass receivers to pass the ball to, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and TJ Hockenson. However, Hockenson's knee injury will sideline him for the first four games of the regular season.

Darnold has suffered from turnovers in recent years and will need to protect his ball to lead Minnesota to victory. Jefferson struggled with injuries last season, but he remains one of the best wide receivers and playmakers in football. Building good chemistry with Darnold in Week 1 will be crucial.

Why the NY Giants could win as underdogs

Much of the Giants' success depends on QB Daniel Jones, who only played in six games in 2023 and averaged 151 yards per game with two touchdowns and six interceptions. Protecting the QB has been difficult for New York, as no other team has come close to the Giants' 85 sacks allowed.

General manager Joe Schoen improved the offensive line in the offseason, and the unit faces a difficult task against a Vikings pass rush that includes Jonathan Greenard, Andrew Van Ginkel and rookie Dallas Turner.

RB Devin Singletary has big shoes to fill following the departure of Saquon Barkley. Rookie WR Malik Nabers should help soften the loss after rushing for 1,569 yards and 14 touchdowns with LSU in 2023.

Only the Carolina Panthers were less efficient in the air than the Giants last season, and the connection between Jones and Nabers must ignite in the first week so that the G-Men can start the regular season with a good feeling.

Best Player Prop for Vikings vs. Giants

Aaron Jones scores a touchdown

Opportunities: +145 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook

Many star RBs moved on to new teams in the offseason, including Aaron Jones, who left the Green Bay Packers to join NFC North rival Vikings. Jones was only able to play in 11 games last year due to injury. He found the end zone twice, but there is reason to be optimistic that his point production will increase.

Jordan Love had a sensational season, throwing 32 touchdowns, only Dak Prescott was better with 36 touchdowns. That left the Packers' ball carriers with just 10 touchdowns, which put them almost last in the NFL.

With a strengthened offensive line and a quarterback who isn't nearly as efficient through the air as Love, we expect Jones to breakout in Week 1 at MetLife Stadium.