New York Giants: 9 wins – 7 losses – 1 draw, third in the NFC East, sixth in the NFC
6. These are the number of years it took the Giants to return to the playoffs. By hiring Joe Schoen as general manager, who trusted Brian Daboll as head coach, chairman John Mara ushered in a new era for the New York side after struggling seasons under Dave Gettleman.
Also with the addition of two quality coordinators (Mike Kafka on offense, Don ‘Wink’ Martindale on defense), New York’s blue team is no longer that franchise we used to make fun of in the past. .
Unlike other NFC teams that had far more ambitions, New York didn’t check the playoffs as a primary goal for the Joe Schoen – Brian Daboll duo’s first season. And yet, they are there. The rest is now only a bonus for a team whose 2022 season is already a success, stopping in passing a terrible series of 5 consecutive seasons with at least 10 defeats.
How did they get there?
9. The number of games where the final score between the Giants and their opponents ended with a difference of less than or equal to 7 points (one touchdown) in the regular season out of 17 games. For many of them, the coin fell on the right side (5 wins – 3 losses – 1 draw) whereas in previous seasons, we often spoke of encouraging defeats. It is especially in the mental domain that the Giants sometimes come back from nowhere to beat their opponents at the finish.
The Giants offense has become much more unpredictable and also much more opportunistic. Last and penultimate in the red zone in the number of touchdowns in the last 2 seasons, the Giants have rectified the situation this year by converting 63% of their passages in the red zone by a touchdown (6th in the entire NFL). The defense, which was already the strong point of this team, remained at the same level with a successful defensive line embodied by its interior pair Leonard Williams and the neo-Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence.
This is also due to a successful off-season. The offseason moves — signings of Glowinski and Feliciano on the offensive line, cuts from Bradberry and Martinez to free up payroll — have been shrewd. The integrated rookies had an impact, in particular a Kayvon Thibodeaux who was sharp at the end of the season (3 sacks in his last 5 regular season games).
The key player: Daniel Jones (QB)
5. The number of interceptions by the Giants quarterback. His lowest career total. Limiting errors was Daniel Jones’ main objective. It is clear that he succeeded in this challenge in the regular season.
The quarterback is close to earning an extension in a double or quits season for him (his 5th year was not waived by the Giants). If he manages to win at least one playoff game, we do not see how the Giants could not offer him a new long-term contract. With the qualification in the playoffs acquired, he only has one step left: to shine in the playoffs.
Why are they going to go all the way?
2011. This is the season of the last title of the Giants. It is also the season where the team finished in the same place in the NFC (6th) and with almost the same record in the regular season, to a draw (9-7). A hint of superstition that must make Big Apple supporters dream.
With running back Saquon Barkley, the Giants have a player capable of making the difference at all times with the ball… but also without. He often catches the eye of opposing defenders and could allow Daniel Jones to get away with the ball (or pass it).
It is often said that attacks win games, but defenses win titles. The Giants defense, especially Don Martindale’s, likes to blitz, especially to cause fumbles. Indeed, she is 2nd in this area with 20 forced fumbles (including 13 covered – also 2nd), ideal for allowing the attack to return to the field with confidence.
Why won’t they go?
6. This is the answer to the question how many Giants starters have ever played in a playoff game. Indeed, they are 3 in attack (Mark Glowinski, Jon Feliciano and Richie James) and 3 in defense (Jihad Ward, Jaylon Smith and Adoree Jackson). Which is little in a team of 22 starting players. Many of them will discover the playoffs and it would only be logical if the errors multiply or if Daniel Jones were to run out of solutions.
The offensive line remains perfectible. New York is 5th in sacks conceded: which is not a good thing when you’re going to face players of the caliber of Nick Bosa of the 49ers or Haason Reddick of the Eagles, two of the best pass rushers in the league this season.
If the ground game in attack is a strong point of the Giants, it is quite the opposite in defense. She is the 5th worst running defense in the regular season. And in the NFC, the ground game is a dominant culture with teams like the 49ers or the Eagles (again).
Injured players
4. This is the ranking of the New York Giants in terms of the number of players who have been injured during the season. We’ll have to watch defense for the absentees as Leonard Williams, Azeez Ojulari and Adoree Jackson suffered injuries for the last game of the regular season.
If the first 2 are likely for the wildcard match against the Vikings, the uncertainty still remains for the 3rd. The starters who were rested for the final regular season game against the Eagles should be back as well.
The long-time injured, who missed much of the regular season, will also miss the playoffs. Those injured are receivers Sterling Shepard and Wan’Dale Robinson, linebackers Darrian Beavers and Elerson Smith, defensive tackle DJ Davidson and finally cornerback Aaron Robinson.
Prognosis
1. This is the minimum number of games the Giants could win. In the regular season, on Christmas Eve, against the Vikings, the Giants did not go far from victory. Surprise is clearly possible during this round.
If they pass this round, they should face the Eagles or the 49ers again. It would be a miracle if they were to qualify against one of these 2 teams. A step too high but not impossible for a team that has nothing to lose.
