Our David John expects an improved efforts from Brandon Marshall when the NY Giants host Detroit in the NFL on Monday.
Detroit at New York Giants (Tuesday, 0130 BST, Sky Sports Main Event)
Having put the Giants up as a long-range Super Bowl candidate in my pre-season preview, I guess you have to resign yourself to a shrug of the shoulders after a limp opening performance.
Man-handled 19-3 by Dallas, a team they had beaten twice in 2016, there was not a lot to get excited about as quarterback Eli Manning misfired where it mattered in the red zone.
If you blinked, you missed any semblance of a running game as well and the absence of gimpy star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr left the Giants desperately searching for a spark.
"No part of our offense was functional," was the brutal assessment from head coach Ben McAdoo and some serious time in the film room will be required to start addressing some of those issues.
That said, it was week one and Big Blue has an experienced set of campaigners within its ranks plus plenty of time before we start thinking about tearing up those ante-post betting vouchers.
While the Giants failed to find any rhythm in Texas, Detroit were smartly out of the gates with an ultimately convincing victory over Arizona.
The league’s highest-paid player Matthew Stafford instigated one of his now famous fourth-quarter rallies to get the Lions home 35-23 while a defense that has blown hot and cold in recent seasons delivered a speedy and aggressive performance.
The hype surrounding rookie wide receiver Kenny Golladay all through the summer seems to have substance too as Stafford found him for a pair of spectacular touchdown catches but like Monday night's hosts, the lack of a running game currently is a concern.
Homefield advantage means the Giants are favoured by a field goal but instead I will opt for a bet on an improved display from veteran wide receiver Brandon Marshall.
He caught just one pass from Manning last week for 10 yards but will have to make an impact rapidly with Beckham Jr still a major doubt to suit up due to a troubling ankle injury.
"He is a beast and we have got to get him involved," was Manning’s view on the former New York Jet following their lacklustre combination while the latter insisted in the week that this is going to be a "bounce-back game".
I have heard this sort of statement previously from Manning and we can usually hold him very much to his word with Marshall to post over 43.5 yards in receptions an extremely attainable target.
Prediction: Detroit 19-23 New York Giants
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Posted at 1240 BST on 17/09/17.
Recommended bet:
2pts Brandon Marshall to gain over 43.5 receiving yards at 17/20
