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2016-2017 New York Giants Preview
Key Additions: DE Olivier Vernon, DT Damon Harrison, ILB Keenan Robinson, CB Janoris Jenkins, CB Eli Apple, WR Sterling Shepard, S Darian Thompson, LB B.J. Goodson, RB Paul Perkins
Key Subtractions: WR Rueben Randle, DE Robert Ayers, CB Prince Amukamara.
Strengths
One thing is for sure: McAdoo is going to continue focusing on the Giant’s passing game, which ranked seventh-best (271. 4 yards per game) in the league last year. Eli Manning, as always, will call the shots behind center. He was able to put together another impressive showing in 2015, throwing for 4,436 yards along with 35 touchdowns and the same amount of picks (14) he had in the previous year.
Those numbers, however, wouldn’t have been possible without his favorite target in Odell Beckham Jr., who’s also coming off a spectacular year of his own. He registered 1,450 receiving yards and a total of 13 touchdowns during his sophomore campaign. And needless to say, expect Manning to keep targeting most of his throws towards the freakishly talented, young receiver. Both, essentially, will dictate how far the Giants can make it this upcoming season.
Weaknesses
Defense is precisely where the Giants are vulnerable. They ranked dead-last in the league last season in total defense (420.3 total yards) and third-worst in points allowed (27.6 per game). But with an active offseason which saw them bulk up their lineup by adding a number of defensive additions highlighted by end Olivier Vernon and tackle Damon Harrison, don’t expect the same New York team that blew five fourth-quarter leads last year, the most in NFL history.
Key Players – Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr.
Make no mistake about it, the Giants are Eli Manning’s team and he’s undoubtedly the most important player they have. However, it wouldn’t be fair to give the spotlight solely on the two-time Super Bowl champion, who is attempting to generate another season with at least 4,400 passing yards. There’s this other polarizing talent on New York who deserves every bit of attention and love that Manning’s getting: Odell Beckham Jr.
Beckham Jr., the 2014 Offensive Rookie of the Year, is one of the top pass-catchers in the NFL today, and should be primed to have an even better campaign in just his third year in the league. He’s going to be an always-reliable target for Manning, and a player who can instantly shift the momentum of a game through his unbelievable receptions. And if those two keep on connecting like never before, there’s a very good chance that the Giants could put an end to their four-year playoff drought this upcoming season.
Key Game – vs. Minnesota Vikings (October 3)
New York has a relatively easy schedule in the first few weeks of the new season, including Week 4’s meeting with a Tom Brady-less Patriots squad. Hence, the Giants’ first true test comes on the third day of October, where they go on the road for an encounter with the reigning NFC North division champions, the Vikings. That matchup should serve as a good basis in finding out how much the Giants have improved overall. A win there would also be crucial in giving them some momentum and confidence for their succeeding assignment—a date with Green Bay at Lambeau Field.
2015 Team Stats
| Category | Stat (Rank) |
|---|---|
| Points per game | 26.2 (#6) |
| Passing yards per game | 271.4 (#7) |
| Rushing yards per game | 100.6 (#18) |
| Scoring defense | 27.6 (#30) |
Writer’s Prediction
Giants, who are currently priced at +1,200 to win the NFC, finish the season with an 8-8 record.
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