NFL
(source:Theday.com)
New York Giants
There are a handful of surprise teams in the NFL in any given year, but it’s hard to think of a club that has surpassed expectations in recent memory more than the 2022 New York Giants.
When the Giants hired Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll to serve as the new GM and head coach, respectively, they weren’t expected to win right away. This was supposed to be year one of a true rebuild, as evidenced by Schoen’s decision to cut ties with some of Dave Gettleman’s expensive signings in James Bradberry, Blake Martinez, Kyle Rudolph and Logan Ryan.
But Daboll, widely credited for turning Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen into a superstar, has completely changed the morale and culture of the Giants locker room. Through seven weeks, the G-Men find themselves sitting pretty at 6-1.
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Daboll’s Giants allowed the sixth-fewest points-per-game through Week 7 (18.6 PPG). 2018 Offensive Rookie of the Year Saquon Barkley has enjoyed a bounce-back season that saw him rack up 726 yards and four touchdowns in seven contests.
Turnovers have been an issue for Daniel Jones in the past, but the fourth-year QB only has two interceptions and as many fumbles. He had 22 interceptions and 36 fumbles alone from 2019 to 2021.
The NFC looks wide-open less than two months into the 2022 regular season. These Giants are for real, and it would take a drastic second-half collapse for them to miss the playoffs.
New York Jets
(source:PFF.com)
The Giants aren’t the only team in New York that has greatly surpassed expectations up to this point.
The New York Jets, owners of the longest active NFL playoff drought (they last qualified in 2010), find themselves 5-2 through seven weeks. There’s a long way to go, but this team certainly looks capable of locking down one of the AFC’s three wild card spots.
New York went 1-2 with Joe Flacco as the starter. Since Zach Wilson returned from injury and debuted in Week 4, the Jets have gone a perfect 4-0.
Wilson’s numbers haven’t been off-the-charts by any means: A 57.4 completion percentage for 693 yards, one touchdown and one pick. But he hasn’t had to play great with the Jets’ ground game and defense leading the way.
Breece Hall was an Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate before unfortunately suffering a season-ending ACL tear in Week 7. He finishes a stout rookie campaign with 463 rushing yards, four touchdowns and 19 receptions for 218 yards and one receiving score.
New York’s stingy defense is led by rookie sensation and cornerback Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner and fourth-year defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Gardner had a league-leading 12 pass defenses through seven weeks, and Williams had five sacks.
The Jets’ schedule does get tougher from here, so we’ll have to see how they hold up against high quality opponents. But being 5-2 through up to this point in what was supposed to be a rebuilding year is nothing short of terrific.
Seattle Seahawks
(source:https://www.fieldgulls.com/)
The Seahawks seemingly commenced a long-term rebuilding plan when they traded away nine-time Pro Bowler and quarterback Russell Wilson to the Denver Broncos.
But while Wilson and the Broncos have inexplicably struggled all year long on offense, the Seahawks have actually been an offensive juggernaut. Journeyman quarterback Geno Smith has been the ideal fit in Pete Carroll’s offense, and rookie running back Kenneth Walker III looks like the front-runner to win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.
The prolific pass-catching duo of Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf hasn’t missed a beat, even with Wilson long gone. And Seattle has gotten excellent production out of other rookies in offensive linemen Abraham Lucas and Charles Cross ball-hawking corner Tariq Woolen.
Heading into Week 8, Seattle was the only team in the NFC West with a winning record (4-3). Whether they make the playoffs or not, this has been a feel-good year in Seattle. And it’s clear that a long-term rebuild isn’t at all necessary.
