Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction: Can New York Beat Miami in Week 2?

Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction: The New York Giants look like the better value against the Miami Dolphins in Saturday’s Week 2 preseason matchup. New York struggled offensively in its opener but showed enough defensive stability to stay competitive, while Miami produced only seven points and turned the ball over three times against Washington. With both teams evaluating their quarterback rooms and depth, the Giants offer an intriguing underdog opportunity.

Direct Answer: Who Should You Bet in Giants vs Dolphins?

The Giants vs Dolphins preseason NFL prediction leans toward New York as the free pick. The Giants lost 13-10 to Minnesota in their preseason opener, while Miami fell 20-7 to Washington. Neither offense generated much production, but New York’s defense allowed only 238 total yards and forced Minnesota to convert just 4-of-12 third downs.

Miami’s offense had an even more difficult opening performance, producing 226 total yards, only 109 passing yards and three interceptions. Those struggles make the Dolphins difficult to trust as a preseason favorite, particularly when New York’s quarterback rotation showed some encouraging signs.

Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction: New York Giants

Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction and Betting Outlook

The Giants vs Dolphins preseason NFL prediction is especially interesting because preseason handicapping requires a different approach from regular-season NFL betting. Starting quarterback expectations, snap counts, roster competitions, coaching philosophies and second- and third-string depth can have a much larger influence than traditional season-long statistics.

New York and Miami both enter Saturday looking for substantially better offensive performances.

The Giants opened their preseason against the Minnesota Vikings and built a 10-3 halftime advantage before Minnesota rallied for a 13-10 victory. New York’s offense was inconsistent, but the team did enough early to demonstrate that it can move the football when its quarterbacks find rhythm.

Miami’s preseason opener was considerably more frustrating. The Dolphins jumped ahead of Washington 7-0 in the first quarter but were subsequently outscored 20-0. Miami managed only 226 total yards and threw three interceptions.

That turnover differential is particularly important when evaluating this Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction.

Preseason games are already volatile because of constant substitutions. Adding turnovers, inexperienced quarterbacks and offensive line rotations creates even more variance. A team that repeatedly puts its defense in difficult field-position situations can quickly lose control of a preseason game.

That is one of the biggest concerns with Miami entering this matchup.

New York Giants Betting Preview

The Giants are coming off a difficult 2025 campaign in which they finished 4-13. That record represented a slight improvement over their 3-14 finish in 2024, but New York still missed the playoffs for the third consecutive season.

The preseason, however, is not necessarily about evaluating last year’s record.

For the Giants, Saturday represents another opportunity to evaluate their quarterback depth, young offensive players and defensive personnel before the regular season arrives.

New York’s first preseason game against Minnesota was a relatively low-scoring affair. The Giants led 10-3 at halftime but failed to score after the break.

Jameis Winston completed 8 of 9 passes for 89 yards, while Brandon Allen threw for 45 yards and two interceptions. Jaxson Dart completed 3 of 4 passes for 26 yards and a touchdown.

Dart’s performance is one of the more interesting elements heading into the Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction.

Although the sample size was extremely small, Dart was efficient and produced the Giants’ only passing touchdown of the game. In preseason football, even a limited number of productive snaps can matter because young quarterbacks are competing to establish themselves with the coaching staff.

The Giants ultimately finished the game with only 201 total yards, including 131 passing yards. They averaged just 3.9 yards per play and converted five of 13 third downs.

Those numbers clearly need to improve.

At the same time, the defense gave New York a legitimate chance to win. The Giants surrendered only 238 total yards and 111 rushing yards. Minnesota converted only four of 12 third-down opportunities.

That defensive performance provides an important foundation for the Giants entering Week 2.

What Went Wrong for the Giants Against Minnesota?

The biggest problem for New York was the offense’s inability to maintain production throughout the game.

The Giants scored 10 points in the first half but were shut out after halftime. That kind of offensive drop-off is common in preseason games because quarterback and skill-position rotations change dramatically after halftime.

It also illustrates why preseason box scores must be interpreted carefully.

A team can look excellent with its first group of players and completely different with its third-string unit. Conversely, a team can struggle early before finding success against lower-level defensive personnel.

For the Giants, the most encouraging component was the defense.

Allowing only 13 points against Minnesota gave New York a chance to win despite the offensive limitations. If the Giants can produce another disciplined defensive performance against Miami, they should have an opportunity to keep this game close.

That is an important consideration when evaluating the Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction.

Miami Dolphins Betting Preview

The Dolphins enter Week 2 with plenty to improve after losing 20-7 to the Washington Commanders.

Miami started quickly, taking a seven-point lead in the first quarter. The offense then completely stalled.

The Dolphins were shut out for the remainder of the game while Washington scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter.

Miami finished with only 226 total yards and 10 first downs. The passing game was especially problematic, producing just 109 yards.

Cam Miller completed only 3 of 11 passes for 39 yards and threw two interceptions. The Dolphins also had another turnover, giving Washington three interceptions overall.

That is not the type of offensive performance that inspires confidence when laying points in a preseason matchup.

The Dolphins did have some positive rushing production. Ollie Gordon and De’Von Achane each carried the ball seven times for 39 yards.

Achane remains particularly important to Miami’s offensive outlook.

His explosiveness gives the Dolphins a legitimate big-play threat even when the quarterback situation is unsettled. His ability to create yards both as a runner and receiver can change the complexion of a preseason game quickly.

Still, the Dolphins need substantially better quarterback play.

Why the Giants Have Betting Value

The primary argument behind the Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction is that New York has already demonstrated a stronger defensive floor.

The Giants allowed Minnesota to score only 13 points.

Miami allowed Washington to score 20 and struggled to generate stops during extended possessions. Washington controlled the ball for 35:23, which limited Miami’s offensive opportunities and eventually wore down the defense.

Time of possession is not necessarily predictive in preseason football, but it does highlight Miami’s inability to consistently get off the field.

The Giants, meanwhile, held Minnesota to a 4-of-12 third-down conversion rate.

That is an encouraging defensive number.

Preseason games are frequently decided by which team makes fewer mistakes and which defense creates shorter fields. The Giants have a path to victory through that formula.

If New York’s quarterbacks avoid turnovers and the defense continues forcing third-and-long situations, the Giants should have a legitimate chance to win outright.

Jameis Winston Gives New York an Experienced Option

One of the reasons the Giants are attractive in this matchup is the experience available in their quarterback room.

Winston completed 8 of 9 passes for 89 yards in the preseason opener. While that production was not spectacular, his efficiency gave the Giants some stability early in the game.

Preseason quarterback rotations can become chaotic, particularly when teams move from their primary veteran quarterback to younger players.

Having an experienced passer capable of executing the offense can be valuable.

The Giants also received a glimpse of Jaxson Dart, who completed three of four attempts for 26 yards and a touchdown.

That combination gives New York multiple quarterbacks capable of moving the offense.

The Giants do not need an explosive offensive performance to cash the recommended side. A modest offensive improvement combined with another strong defensive showing could be enough.

De’Von Achane Is Miami’s Biggest X-Factor

Any Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction has to account for De’Von Achane.

Achane is one of the fastest players in the NFL and can create explosive plays without requiring a large workload. That makes him especially dangerous in preseason football, when defenses are frequently playing inexperienced personnel.

Achane had seven carries for 39 yards against Washington and also scored Miami’s only touchdown.

His preseason player trends are also notable. Achane has scored a touchdown in five of his last six Sunday road appearances, recorded at least 55 rushing yards in each of his last 12 appearances as a Dolphins underdog, and produced at least 90 combined rushing and receiving yards in each of his last 11 appearances according to the supplied betting trends.

The broader point is simple: Miami has an explosive offensive weapon who can change the game with limited touches.

However, that does not erase the Dolphins’ quarterback concerns.

If Miami cannot consistently sustain drives, Achane may not receive enough opportunities to compensate for the offense’s other weaknesses.

Giants vs Dolphins Offensive Comparison

The first preseason games provide a useful snapshot of where each offense currently stands.

Giants

201 total yards

131 passing yards

70 rushing yards

11 first downs

5-of-13 on third down

10 points

3.9 yards per play

Dolphins

226 total yards

109 passing yards

117 rushing yards

10 first downs

3-of-11 on third down

7 points

Three interceptions

Miami produced more total yardage, largely because of its rushing production, but the turnovers were devastating.

New York’s offense was inefficient, but it avoided the catastrophic turnover issues that plagued Miami.

That distinction matters significantly in preseason football.

Giants vs Dolphins Defensive Comparison

The defensive numbers also provide an interesting contrast.

New York allowed:

238 total yards

111 rushing yards

127 passing yards

13 points

4-of-12 on third down

Miami’s defense allowed Washington to control the game for long stretches.

The Dolphins’ defense was not necessarily disastrous from a yardage standpoint, but the unit struggled to consistently end possessions.

That is a key factor behind the Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction.

When two offenses are expected to rotate quarterbacks and skill-position players frequently, defensive consistency becomes even more important.

New York demonstrated that consistency in Week 1.

Giants vs Dolphins Betting Trends

The supplied betting trends provide additional support for the Giants.

New York has won each of its last four games as an underdog in the specified trend set. The Giants have also covered in each of their last four games as underdogs without Darius Slayton.

There are also several historical trends involving New York’s preseason and early-season performance.

The Giants have scored the first touchdown in six of their last eight games as home underdogs, although that particular trend is less relevant because Saturday’s matchup is in Miami.

Some of the other trends are clearly tied to regular-season or home-opening situations and therefore should not be weighted heavily for this preseason matchup.

The Dolphins have their own positive trends.

Miami has gone Over in six of its last games without Greg Dulcich in the supplied trend data, while De’Von Achane has produced strong rushing and receiving numbers in several underdog situations.

Still, trends should be used as supporting evidence rather than the primary reason for the pick.

The most actionable information remains the teams’ Week 1 performances and expected personnel rotations.

Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction: Key Matchup

The most important matchup is Miami’s offense against New York’s defense.

The Dolphins need to establish consistency at quarterback and avoid the turnover problems that destroyed their first preseason game.

Three interceptions in a preseason game are especially damaging because quarterbacks are constantly changing and backup offensive linemen can make pressure situations more difficult.

The Giants have an opportunity to exploit that.

If New York’s defense can generate pressure without sending excessive blitzes, Miami’s quarterbacks could face difficult down-and-distance situations.

That could produce turnovers and short fields.

On the other side, New York simply needs its quarterbacks to play mistake-free football.

The Giants don’t necessarily need 30 points.

They need efficient drives, a few explosive plays and a defense capable of holding Miami below its offensive ceiling.

Why the Giants Could Win

There are several reasons to support New York in this Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction.

1. Better defensive performance in Week 1

The Giants allowed only 13 points against Minnesota and held the Vikings to 238 yards.

2. Miami’s turnover problems

The Dolphins threw three interceptions in their opener. That is a major red flag heading into another preseason game.

3. New York has quarterback experience

Jameis Winston completed 8 of 9 passes in Week 1, while Jaxson Dart also produced an efficient performance.

4. Miami’s offense stalled

After scoring seven first-quarter points, the Dolphins failed to score again.

5. Preseason volatility favors the underdog

A preseason favorite laying points must overcome substantial uncertainty surrounding rotations. One or two turnovers can completely change the outcome.

That makes the Giants more attractive if the market requires Miami to win by multiple points.

Why Miami Could Still Win

The Giants are far from a perfect preseason betting option.

Miami has explosive skill-position talent, particularly with Achane. The Dolphins also have an opportunity to correct the mistakes from their opener.

Their Week 1 rushing performance was encouraging, and a cleaner quarterback performance could dramatically improve the offense.

The home-field setting also gives Miami an advantage.

However, preseason home-field advantage is generally less important than personnel quality and quarterback rotation.

The Dolphins need to prove they can execute consistently before they deserve significant trust from the betting market.

Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction: What Should You Bet?

The best approach is to avoid overreacting to either team’s Week 1 score.

New York’s 13-10 loss does not mean its offense is incapable of producing. Miami’s 20-7 loss does not mean its offense will necessarily struggle again.

Instead, the focus should be on the underlying performances.

The Giants played relatively disciplined football defensively and avoided the turnover disaster that hurt Miami.

The Dolphins moved the ball at times but could not maintain offensive efficiency and committed three interceptions.

That makes New York the more appealing side.

If the market gives the Giants a meaningful number of points, the underdog becomes even more attractive. If the spread is close to a pick’em, the value becomes less obvious, but New York still deserves consideration based on the Week 1 defensive performances.

Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction: Score Prediction

A low-scoring game is the most logical projection based on what both teams showed in Week 1.

New York’s defense allowed only 13 points, while Miami scored only seven.

Neither team demonstrated consistent quarterback play, and preseason substitutions typically create offensive inefficiency.

A projected final score of Giants 20, Dolphins 17 fits the matchup.

That score would give New York the outright victory while also reflecting the possibility of Miami’s offense improving from its opening performance.

Final Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction

The Giants vs Dolphins Preseason NFL Prediction comes down to which team demonstrated the more reliable foundation in Week 1.

New York lost to Minnesota, but the Giants’ defense kept them within one score throughout the game. The unit allowed only 238 yards and held the Vikings to four successful third-down conversions on 12 attempts.

Miami, meanwhile, lost 20-7 to Washington after allowing 17 unanswered points. The Dolphins also threw three interceptions and finished with only 10 first downs.

The Giants’ offensive numbers were not impressive, but preseason betting is about identifying which team has the better path to success with constantly changing personnel.

New York’s defense gives it that path.

Jameis Winston provides veteran quarterback experience, while Jaxson Dart showed efficiency in limited action. If the Giants can improve their offensive execution while maintaining the defensive discipline displayed against Minnesota, they can absolutely win this game.

Miami has the explosive talent to make this prediction look foolish, particularly if Achane receives meaningful snaps. But until the Dolphins demonstrate that their quarterback rotation can protect the football and sustain drives, laying points with Miami is difficult to justify.

The Pick: New York Giants

Prediction: Giants 20, Dolphins 17