2018 Record - 5-11-0
Head Coach - Pat Shurmur
Newcomers for 2019 - Golden Tate (WR), Jabrill Peppers (DB), Kevin Zeitler (OL), Antoine Bethea (DB), Marcus Golden (DB)
Keys on Offense - Quarterback Eli Manning is entering his 16th NFL season and last season he threw for 4,299 yards with 21 touchdowns and eleven interceptions. The Giants drafted QB Daniel Jones (Duke) with their first pick and he will be the backup to Manning.
Running back Saquon Barkley is the spark plug to the Giants offense after gaining 1,307 rushing yards (5.0 ypc average) and eleven touchdowns. He also had 91 receptions for 721 yards and four more touchdowns.
Wide receiver Golden Tate (74 receptions, 795 yards, four TD with Detroit and Philadelphia) comes over this season but will be serving a four-game suspension before taking the field for the 2019 season. The rest of the wide receiving corps reads like a MASH unit as training camp continues. Corey Coleman is out for the season (torn ACL) and four others are on the injury list, including Sterling Shepard (66, 872, four TD in 2018), Alex Wesley, Darius Slayton and Brittan Golden.
Tight ends Evan Engram (45, 577, three TD) and Rhett Ellison (25, 272, one TD) form a good duo and will be relied on perhaps more than anticipated with all the injuries so far.
Keys on Defense - Defensive End B.J. Hill (5 1/2 QB sacks), Delvin Tomlinson and rookie first round pick Dexter Lawrence (Clemson) will anchor the front line while linebacker Alec Ogletree (five interceptions, including two brought back for TD) teams with Marcus Golden, B.J. Goodson (two INT) and Lorenzo Carter to form the front seven.
Janoris Jenkins and Michael Thomas (two picks each) lead the secondary, which had 16 interceptions last season for a defense that ranked 24th overall (371 ypg allowed) and 23rd in scoring defense, giving up 25.8 points per game.
OUTLOOK - The Giants have finished last in the NFC East division the last two seasons and this year could be three in a row unless the defense steps up and the offense can muster some life other than RB Saquon Barkley, who accounted for over 2,000 yards of offense and 15 touchdowns in his rookie season.
Head Coach Pat Shurmur might have some decisions to make if things fall apart like last year (1-7 start) due to lack of a pass rush (Giants had just 30 QB sacks in 2018) and too much pressure on Eli Manning as the Giants allowed 47 sacks. Manning is 38 years old and heir apparent Daniel Jones will be ready when needed.
No longer in the offensive mix is Odell Beckham, Jr., who was dealt away to the Cleveland Browns in the off-season. The question now is WHO will Manning throw the football to? The Giants have no less than five wideouts injured as training camp winds down and pre-season games begin. That is not a good thing, but eventually someone will step up.
The Giants were middle of the pack in scoring last season, averaging 23.1 points per game while ranking 17th in total offense with 356 yards per game. Another rough year appears to be on the horizon, so look for the Giants to build toward the future while going 4-12 this season.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at Dallas
Week 2 - vs. Buffalo
Week 3 - at Tampa Bay
Week 4 - vs. Washington
Week 5 - vs. Minnesota
Week 6 - at New England
Week 7 - vs. Arizona
Week 8 - at Detroit
Week 9 - vs. Dallas
Week 10 - at NY Jets
Week 11 - BYE
Week 12 - at Chicago
Week 13 - vs. Green Bay
Week 14 - at Philadelphia
Week 15 - vs. Miami
Week 16 - at Washington
Week 17 - vs. Philadelphia
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