2017 Record - 3-13-0
Head Coach - Pat Shurmur
2017 Offensive Ranking - 21st (314 ypg, 15.4 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 31st (373 ypg, 24.2 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - Eli Manning returns for his 15th season at quarterback. Last season, he passed for 3,468 yards with 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Davis Webb and rookie draft pick Kyle Lauletta (Richmond) will be the backups.
The running game will see top rookie pick Saquon Barkley (Penn State) leading the way and former Carolina Panthers RB Jonathan Stewart (680 rushing yards and six touchdowns) as the primary backup. Wayne Gallman (476 rushing yards and 34 receptions) is another option.
Odell Beckham, Jr. saw his 2017 season end after four games played with a broken ankle, but he is looking to regain his All-Pro form after 25 receptions for 302 yards and three touchdowns. Sterling Shepard (59, 731, two TD), Roger Lewis (36, 416, two TD) and tight end Evan Engram (64, 722, six TD) are the other receivers.
DEFENSE - This once proud unit finished 31st in the NFL last year, registering just 27 QB sacks and 13 interceptions. Up front are Kerry Wynn, Damon Harrison and Dalvin Tomlinson. The linebackers are Olivier Vernon (6 1/2 QB sacks), Alec Ogletree (two sacks), Kareem Martin, B.J. Goodson and rookie Lorenzo Carter (Georgia).
Defensive backs include Jarious Jenkins (three interceptions), Landon Collins (two INT), Darian Thompson and Eli Apple. Veteran William Gay provides depth.
OUTLOOK - The Giants suffered through a miserable 2017 season and will look to rebound in the NFC East division, where defending Super Bowl Philadelphia looms large.
New Head Coach Pat Shurmur has some weapons with the offense as QB Eli Manning may still have some magic left and Odell Beckham and rookie running back Saquon Barkley will be heavily relied upon this season. More balance on offense is a must as the team averaged just 97 rushing yards per game.
The defense must return to the old ways if the team wants to be taken seriously as a playoff contender. Last year's sack leader Jason Pierre-Paul left via free agency and the secondary was torched regularly last season, finishing 31st in the NFL by allowing 252 pass yards per game. A fierce pass rush had been the trademark as well for the defense, so only 27 sacks a year ago isn't getting it done.
The Giants were 1-5 in divisional games so improvement there could bolster their chances to move up in the standings. The key will be the defense showing improvement while the offense attempts to have more success in the red zone. The Giants averaged a paltry 15.4 points per game, which was second worst in the league.
A 6-10 finish would double their win total from the 2017 season. The playoffs are definitely a reach, but who knows because in today's NFL, quick turnarounds happen pretty regularly. It won't be easy, but the Giants should do better than last season. With Barkley and OBJ in tow, they should at least be more fun to watch.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - vs. Jacksonville
Week 2 - at Dallas
Week 3 - at Houston
Week 4 - vs. New Orleans
Week 5 - at Carolina
Week 6 - vs. Philadelphia
Week 7 - at Atlanta
Week 8 - vs. Washington
Week 9 - Bye
Week 10 - at San Francisco
Week 11 - vs. Tampa Bay
Week 12 - at Philadelphia
Week 13 - vs. Chicago
Week 14 - at Washington
Week 15 - vs. Tennessee
Week 16 - at Indianapolis
Week 17 - vs. Dallas
No comments:
Post a Comment