The Giants won four games last season but there is hope in the Big Apple with a revamped offensive line protecting Daniel Jones.
However, Jones had turnover and sack issues last season and the defense ranked 30th in the league in opponents’ points allowed.
Odds to win NFC East: +825
Odds to win NFC: +5500
Odds to win Super Bowl: +9000
Key Additions: The Giants took T Andrew Thomas with the fourth pick in the draft and in the second round took S Xavier McKinney and those guys should start right off the bat.
The team picked up a couple of LB’s in Blake Martinez and Kyler Fackrell and CB James Bradberry, who is a solid cover guy.
Key Losses: Longtime QB Eli Manning retired and Jones is now THE guy. The team also lost LB Alec Ogletree and veteran S Antoine Bethea.
Season Preview
The Giants have a new offensive coordinator in Jason Garrett and while his time in Dallas was a disappointment he is known for developing QB’s.
The team will need him to do that with Jones, who had some solid games last season but also lost 11 of 18 fumbles, had 12 INT and was sacked 38 times.
Jones has a solid WR corps the likes of Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram, Golden Tate, and Darius Slayton, who had 740 yards with eight TD in 14 games as a rookie last season.
If Jones can hold onto the rock and get more time behind an improved O-line the G-Men may be a legit passing team.
Saquon Barkley had a bit of a sophomore slump last season with injuries and playing behind a poor offensive line, but still had 1,003 rushing yards and 52 catches for 438 yards in only 13 games.
He could have a breakout season if healthy playing behind a much better line and with Garrett at the helm.
The defense may struggle in the Big Apple this season like last one. They did make some moves but not any big ones and the team’s pass rush is a major issue.
Markus Golden led the team with 10 sacks last season and the team put the UFA tender on him, so he can return if no other team decides to sign him by July 22.
With the issues the defense has Garrett may have to make up for that by being aggressive calling plays.
That is why there is a lot of pressure on Jones this season, as with a suspect defense the G-Men may have to outshoot teams.
The Giants have a tough early-season schedule facing the Steelers, Bears, 49ers, and Rams before their first division game on October 11th at Dallas.
Prediction: I think Garrett will get the best of Jones and with the revamped offensive line the G-Men will be solid on the offensive side of the ball. Jones and Barkey will have good seasons but the defense will be the Achilles heel of the team.
There will be an improvement over the four games they won last season but it will not be enough to get the team to the playoffs.