NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
Raise your hand if you had the New York Giants with a winning record this season. Raise your hand if you had them in 2nd place in the NFC East this early. Wait, why is your hand raised? The only people with their hands raised should be the players in Giants’ blue. Anyone outside of those in the MetLife locker room (myself included) did not pick the G-Men as the most surprising team in the league.
Heading into Week 8, the Giants are sitting at 6-1. Yes, you read that correctly. The G-Men are a game behind the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles and are by record standards, the 2nd best team in the NFC and the entire NFL, ahead of the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills. Ladies and gentlemen, the New York Giants are for real.
But how did they get here?
It all began with a change in leadership. The players are still here from that abysmal 4-13 campaign last season, but with new head coach Brian Daboll, these Giants are no longer playing not to lose; they playing to win, and they’re doing it as a team.
Name a Giants player outside of Saquan Barkley. See, this is further proof of how they’re winning. Daboll and the players and holding each other accountable. Where is the talk of benching Daniel Jones? This offseason, there was loud chatter that Tyrod Taylor could start as early as Week 3 if Jones continued his bad habits. Heading into Week 8, Jones has passed for 1223 yards, six touchdowns, and just two interceptions with a Completion Percentage of 66.7. Not at the top of the list, but he’s managing the game much better than in previous seasons.
The re-emergence of Barkley is the main key. For the past few seasons, injuries and an awful offensive line have hobbled his production. However, this year, Barkley has turned back the clock as he’s sending in the NFL in Rushing Yards with 726 on 143 carries. The only blemish for the Giants this season has been the play from their wideouts. If they can get consistency from this position, there’s no telling how high their ceiling is.
The skeptics would love to mention their schedule. But just as with any team, the New York Giants did not pick who they wanted to play. There was no hat to draw teams out of. They play whoever is in front of them and let the chips fall where they may. With one loss (Dallas Cowboys), the Giants defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Baltimore Ravens.
Can The New York Giants Keep This Up?
No one picked them to win more than 8 games, and here they are, sitting near the top of the NFL in wins. Fans were already digging a hole for Jones, and here he is, guiding this team to victory after victory. No one picked the defense to be able to hold up under pressure, but here they are with quality stops against Lamar Jackson, Trevor Lawrence, and Aaron Rodgers.
Daboll has brought a winning attitude to this team, and it’s showing on the field. In a city where fans are crazy about New York Yankees, New York Mets, New York Knicks, and the Brooklyn Nets, most of that attention has shifted to the hot start by the Giants. Can they keep it going with games coming up against the Seattle Seahawks, Houston Texans, and Detroit Lions?
6-1, and the New York Giants are winning. If you thought that would happen, you’re either a die-hard fan or a psychic. It’s ok to admit you were wrong. I had to take a bite of that humble pie as well. I’m sorry Giants.
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