San Francisco 49ers vs. New York Giants Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The New York Giants own the upper hand in the recent rivalry with the San Francisco 49ers, winning five of the last six meetings straight up and covering the spread in seven of the last eight. The Niners will try to turn the tables on the Giants when the teams meet Sunday afternoon in New Jersey.

Point spread: The 49ers opened as three-point favorites; the total was 43.5 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 21.3-18.8 49ers

Why the 49ers Can Cover the Spread

Almost left for dead after losing at home to St. Louis in Week 9, the 49ers showed they might have a little fight left in them with a 27-24 overtime victory at New Orleans last week.

San Francisco led most of the way against the Saints, fell behind and needed a late field goal to tie the score at 24-24. Then they got the biggest play of the game from its defense, a Drew Brees fumble which led to the game-winning kick. So at 5-4 the Niners are a game back in the battle for the second NFC wild-card spot. They're not dead yet.

Why the Giants Can Cover the Spread

The Giants just lost at Seattle 38-17, missing the cover as nine-point dogs on the road, but that game was closer than that score might indicate. New York led at halftime 17-14, and took a 17-17 tie into the fourth quarter before the Seahawks broke loose with 21 unanswered points.

The Giants couldn't get much out of their ground game, but Eli Manning hit both rookie Odell Beckham and Preston Parker seven times each, helping keep New York in the game. And while the Giants defense got gouged for 350 yards on the ground, it also picked off Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson twice.

Smart Pick

San Francisco, despite its struggles, has outrushed opponents this season by a 122-91 yards-per-game margin; New York has been outrushed, on average, 145-104. So far this NFL season, teams that win the ground battles are 99-45 ATS. The smart money here resides with the Niners, minus the points.

Betting Trends

• The total has gone under in eight of San Francisco's last 12 games.
• The total has gone over in five of New York's last seven games.

Note: All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark—follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line move updates.