Why the Giants aren’t just a threat to win the NFC East, but a threat to make some noise in the playoffs
By Sean Scanlon
The difference between the Giants that we saw in September and the Giants that just beat the Seahawks is night and day. Head Coach Joe Judge and his staff deserve a lot of credit for their ultimate game preparation, for developing their young players and making sure they all get some playing time, and for not having their sights set on just the short-term but having a plan for the future. All of these reasons have a big part to do with why the G-Men continue to steadily improve week by week. After a 1–7 start with some heartbreaking losses, the Giants have won four straight and are now in 1st place in the NFC East. If they continue to play the way that they are currently, there is a very short list of teams that would want to see them in the playoffs.
You can’t talk about this season’s Giants without bringing up the defense first. This unit, led by defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, has been impressive all season. But, they have really turned it up a notch these past couple of games and they’re looking like an elite unit. They have playmakers at all three levels of the defense. Up front on the defensive line Dalvin Tomlinson and Dexter Lawrence are both run-stuffing bullies that control the line of scrimmage. Although, the best player from this group so far this year has been Leonard Williams. He is just as good of a run defender and he’s been dominant rushing the passer from the interior. The star defensive tackle has already set a new career high in sacks for himself with 8.5 in just 12 games. The guys behind them in the linebacking corps have been playing great as well. Rookies Tae Crowder and Carter Coughlin have both had instant impacts creating some big plays in a short period of time. Then there’s the leader of the big blue defense, Blake Martinez. His instinctual awareness and tenacious play makes him not just one of the league’s leading tacklers, but one of the best middle linebackers in the NFL. The most pleasant surprise from this side of the ball has to be the secondary though. Jabrill Peppers and Logan Ryan have been as good of a safety duo as Giants fans could have hoped for. Peppers has been playing the best football of his young career this season. His athleticism and physicality creates problems for every opposing offense. And Logan Ryan is a savvy veteran playmaker who is always in the right spot and brings a championship pedigree to the locker room. The other key player to this defensive backfield is cornerback James Bradberry. Bradberry has undoubtedly been a top tier corner in the league this year. He shuts down number one receivers on a weekly basis and he’s been the most important player to the team’s success this season. The G-men’s defense is legit, and if you think otherwise, then you have simply not been watching.
As for the offense, it hasn’t been great. However, recently they’ve started to find their rhythm by limiting turnovers and running the ball effectively. A lot of this has to do with the improvement of the offensive line throughout the season. Starting center Nick Gates has really impressed in his first year ever playing the position. He’s been the Giants most consistent lineman all season. The O-line has also gotten plenty of contributions from their rookies. Shane Lemieux has been very good after being inserted into the starting lineup in week 8 at left guard. Andrew Thomas had a very rough start to his year, especially in pass protection, but has looked a lot better in the last couple of games and more worthy of the number four overall pick in the draft. The offensive line has been creating lots of running lanes for Wayne Gallman, who has taken full advantage of his opportunity with Saquon Barkley being out for the season. Gallman is a very physical runner who will consistently give you at least four yards per carry, who will fight for every yard and who will wear down opposing defenses. You have to love the Wayne Train! What it all really comes down to for the Giants offense though is how well quarterback Daniel Jones can play down the stretch, while still recovering from a hamstring injury. Prior to his injury suffered against the Bengals, Jones was playing some of the best ball of his career. In the last 3 games he started, Danny Dimes didn’t turn the ball over once and the Giants went 3–0 during that stretch.
If Jones continues to protect the football, the run game continues to flourish, and the defense keeps playing out of their minds, then the New York football Giants will be a scary team that could absolutely make a run in the postseason.
