Giants-Cardinals by the numbers: Betting odds, other numbers that matter

The 2-12 New York Giants are currently 3.5-point underdogs to the 6-8 Arizona Cardinals in their Christmas Eve matchup.

Here are some of the other numbers that matter.

30

That number is, of course, the Holy Grail for the Giants’ offense. They got close last week, scoring 29, but a blocked field goal and blocked extra point screwed it up. The Giants still haven’t scored 30 points in a game since Tom Coughlin was head coach, a span now reaching 31 games.

Arizona gives up 24.1 points per game, 24th in the NFL. Could this finally be the week?

5

The number of times the Giants have played on Christmas Eve. They are 3-2 in those games.

237

That is the fewest points ever scored by the Giants in a 16-game season. Sunday’s season-high 29-point outburst left the Giants with 228. They need nine points over the final two games to at least tie that mark.

189

That’s the number of passing yards Eli Manning needs to surpass John Elway and move into sixth place all-time in passing yardage.

427

That’s how many yards Manning needs for his ninth straight season with at least 3,500 passing yards.

12 and 185

Evan Engram needs 12 receptions and 185 yards receiving to pass Jeremy Shockey (74-894) for most receptions and receiving yards by a rookie tight end in franchise history.

12 (again)

That is the most losses the Giants have ever had in a 16-game season, with their worst record being 3-12-1 in 1983, the first year Bill Parcells was head coach. They also lost 12 games in 2003, going 4-12 in Jim Fassel’s final season, and in 1980 under Ray Perkins. One more loss, obviously, and the Giants will set a franchise record for 16-game futility.