Champs still Giant mystery

It's common for an NFL team's personality to reflect its quarterback, which is why the New York Giants can be unpredictable. They follow their leader, and Eli Manning is a schizophrenic player.

Manning showed last season he is capable of throwing four interceptions in a game and bouncing back with near-flawless performances in four playoff victories.

The Giants, who open the season today by hosting the Washington Redskins, are not being treated as typical defending Super Bowl champions.

At most Las Vegas sports books, the Giants' regular-season win total is set at 81/2, making them sort of a middle-of-the-pack mystery team.

"Six teams have higher regular-season win totals than the defending Super Bowl champs, and I don't think I've ever seen that," Las Vegas Hilton sports book director Jay Kornegay said. "A lot of people think we're disrespecting the Giants and they're underrated.

"We thought the Giants were just a team that was hot at the right time, and not necessarily the best team. That continues into this season."

The Giants did suffer significant personnel losses. They must replace defensive ends Michael Strahan (retired) and Osi Umenyiora (season-ending injury) and tight end Jeremy Shockey (traded).

Behind a relentless pass rush, the Giants harassed Tom Brady and stunned the heavily favored New England Patriots in the Super Bowl. Manning, meanwhile, was uncommonly good.

Kornegay said bettors' opinions are split on the Giants, who finished 10-6 last season. The Giants are one of six teams with a posted win total of 81/2.

The Patriots, off a perfect regular season, sit atop the win totals list at 12. They are followed by San Diego, Indianapolis, Dallas, Jacksonville and Pittsburgh.

Analyzing schedule strength is a key to projecting win totals, and Vegas Insider handicapper Mark Franco said the Steelers are a strong bet to go under their total of 9.

"Somebody in the NFL office must have it in for the Steelers," said Franco (francosports.com). "I spotted one of the toughest schedules I've seen in many years."

Pittsburgh must face the rugged NFC East -- Dallas, New York, Philadelphia and Washington -- and the AFC's elite. The Steelers play New England and Jacksonville on the road and get San Diego and Indianapolis at home.

Pass protection was a problem last season for Pittsburgh, and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger lost an important offensive lineman when All-Pro guard Alan Faneca signed with the New York Jets.

"An extremely tough schedule plus an average offensive line and some young skill players equals a very good chance the Steelers won't win 10 games, though they may still win their division at 8-8," Franco said.

"I typically like to find teams to play under the posted win totals because injuries always happen."

Pittsburgh and Cleveland each finished 10-6 in the AFC North last season. Kornegay said a lopsided number of bettors are backing the Browns to surpass their posted win total of 8.

MGM Mirage sports book director Jay Rood said support also is overwhelming for the Minnesota Vikings to go over eight wins. The ticket count on the Vikings, he said, is 230-10 in favor of the over.

As for Super Bowl futures, Kornegay said the Cowboys (6-1 odds) are the most popular choice among bettors. The Steelers (15-1) rank second and the Vikings (12-1) third.

The Giants are an unlikely shot to repeat at 25-1 odds.

"Teams will be gunning for the Giants," Kornegay said, "and it's hard to keep that drive going after a championship like that."

Contact reporter Matt Youmans at myoumans@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2907.