What no home fans could mean for Giants point spreads in 2020

The NFL hopes to open its 2020 season on time, but some or all of their teams can expect to be playing home games without fans in the stadium. Each locale is implementing different rules, and today we learned that both the New York Giants and New York Jets will play with no fans in the seats.

As these reports become official, we’ll start to see some changes in point spreads for their home games. DraftKings Sportsbook has provided lines for the Giants Week 1-16 games, and no line for the final week against Washington. Here is where they currently stand:

vs. Steelers: +4
vs. 49ers: +5.5
vs. Washington: -4
vs. Buccaneers: +3.5
vs. Eagles: +3.5
vs. Cardinals: -1.5
vs. Browns: +1.5
vs. Cowboys: TBD

In sports betting, home field advantage is viewed as being worth roughly 2 to 3 points. Some teams like the Seahawks, Saints, and Chiefs have a more significant advantage than other teams.

DK Sportsbook oddsmaker Johnny Avello said he would cut a home field advantage in half with no fans in the stands. The Giants had a two-point home field advantage at the end of the 2019 season, so 1 point is the likely change. There is still benefit of knowing your home stadium and locker room, and not having to travel, so you still get some boost playing at home. But, it will not be nearly what it would be if there were fans in the stands.

If the Giants lose 1 point in home field advantage, we could see the their four games as underdogs against the Steelers, 49ers, Bucs and Eagles all move above 4.5 points. Of course, not all lines are created equal so this is just a basic projection for the time being. However, sportsbooks have yet to make a move with the potential for no fans in the stand, so there could be some value to be found in early lines.

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA) or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN) or 1-800-522-4700 (NH/CO). NH/NJ/WV/IN/PA/CO only. 21+ (18+ NH). Eligibility Restrictions Apply. See website for details.