The New York Giants are favored by 3.5 points over the Miami Dolphins in their upcoming preseason matchup, as both teams are anticipated to rest their starting players. This decision comes after a physically demanding joint practice session on Thursday, where many starters on both sides received extensive repetitions.
Giants coach John Harbaugh indicated that a significant number of Giants starters likely saw enough action during the joint practice and may not play in Saturday's game. "Certain guys, I'm sure, got enough work," Harbaugh stated. Jaxson Dart, who took all first-team snaps for the Giants during practice and led the team to a strong performance, is among those who could be held out. The Giants' pass rush was notably effective, overwhelming the Dolphins' offensive line with an unofficial count of over six sacks, a performance Harbaugh described as "ferocious," while acknowledging the need for the defense to prove itself in a game setting.
The Dolphins may face a more challenging situation with their backup quarterbacks. Backup QB Quinn Ewers is dealing with a groin injury sustained last week and is unlikely to participate. This injury has led to the re-signing of Mark Gronowski, who had previously been waived. It remains uncertain how much starting quarterback Malik Willis will play, as he also took first-team reps during the joint practice.
If Willis sees limited or no action, the Dolphins could rely heavily on Cam Miller and Gronowski. Miller struggled in the preseason opener, completing only three of eleven passes and throwing two interceptions. Gronowski is still adjusting to the team after rejoining the roster.
Despite the likely absence of many starters for the Giants, they are expected to have the more reliable quarterbacking option on the field for a larger portion of the game. Jameis Winston is seen as a preferred choice over Miami's backup options, Miller or Gronowski. Based on these factors, the prediction favors the Giants to cover the 3.5-point spread.