Giants-Chiefs by the numbers: Giants double-digit underdogs, more

The 1-8 New York Giants face the 6-3 Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, and the Giants will be heavy underdogs in their own stadium. Let’s take a look at some of the numbers that matter heading into that contest.

11

That is how many points the Chiefs are currently favored by in Sunday’s game. The line opened at 13.5 points, embarrassing for the Giants when you consider that the game is at MetLife Stadium. ESPN pointed out that the Giants have only been double-digit underdogs at home four times since 1978.

82,500

That is how many seats there are at MetLife Stadium. How many of them will be filled by Giants fans on Sunday? How many by Chiefs fans? How many will be empty? I can understand why Giants’ ownership said this week that Ben McAdoo would stay as coach until the end of the season, but doing so pretty much guarantees a lifeless home crowd the rest of the way.

16-2

That is Andy Reid’s record coming off a bye week, which is the best of any coach, or team, since Reid took over the took over the Philadelphia Eagles in 1999. He is 3-1 with the Chiefs after a bye week. Kansas City, of course, is coming off a bye.

209

Eli Manning will make his 209th straight start on Sunday, the second-longest starting streak by a quarterback in NFL history. That will break a tie with his brother, Peyton, who started 208 straight games, Brett Favre (297 straight starts) holds the record.

40/443/5/49.2/14

That translates to 40 receptions, 443 yards, 5 touchdowns, 49.2 receiving yards per game and 14 third-down receptions. Those numbers all belong to Evan Engram, and each one leads this 2017 crop of rookie tight ends.

10

That is how many consecutive games in which the Giants have allowed a touchdown pass to an opposing tight end. Per the Elias Sports Bureau, that is the longest such streak in NFL history.

4.1

Who says the Giants can’t run the ball? They are averaging 4.1 yards per carry, their best since they averaged 4.6 in 2012. Orleans Darkwa is sixth in the league at 5.1 yards per rushing attempt.

215

The number of passes Manning has completed, third in the NFL.

6-0

That is the Giants’ record against the Chiefs at home, where they will be on Sunday.

6

Games left in this torturous season after Sunday.

3

Where the Giants are in the current 2018 NFL Draft order.

7.5

That’s the number of sacks for Kansas City outside linebacker Justin Houston, who will spend most of his time Sunday lined up against struggling Giants’ right tackle Bobby Hart.

282

That’s how many pass-blocking snaps it has been since Ereck Flowers surrendered a sack. That is the longest such streak in the NFL. Whatever you think of Flowers, that’s impressive.