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The New York Giants won the first game of the 2008 NFL season and the online bookmakers lost. More than 85 percent of the betting action had been on the early Giants line and 72 percent or more on the closing line of -4 ½ at gambling websites like Super Book.
The bookies held a strong opinion on this game, deciding not to move the line enough as a means of encouraging more betting on the defeated Washington Redskins. Make no mistake about it, the online sports books took a bath Thursday night.
The New York Giants won the 2008 Super Bowl with defense and they kicked off defense of that title with more of the same.
Playing without the retired Michael Strahan and Pro Bowl linemen Osi Umenyiora, New York limited the new-look Washington Redskins to 11 first downs and 209 total yards and gave indications that these Giants are back for another run in a 16-7 victory that ushered in the NFL season Thursday night.
"We played well and it's no surprise to us," defensive tackle Barry Cofield said. "We feel like we got capable guys and we held them for very few yards other than the two-minute situations where the got most of their yardage. We are confident in our defense and feel like if we stick with the scheme we'll have success all year."
The Giants were among the best values heading into the 2008 regular season where they were listed with 2500 odds to win the 2009 Super Bowl heading into this game and amazingly they were +450 longshots to win the NFC East.
"We are not worried about what people are saying," middle linebacker Antonio Pierce said. "We are trying to win games. You have to get to the Super Bowl to repeat, and if we don't make the playoffs if won't matter. Right now our goal is to win the division. You win the division and the playoffs and then you think about repeating."
