This season will be the Giants 90th season in the NFL. After last seasons disappointing 7-9 seasons the Giants have made significant changes to their roster that they hope will pay off as they try to reach the postseason for the first time since they won Super Bowl XLVI. There are a few key factors that will determine if Big Blue is able to make it back to the playoffs.
1. Protect Eli Manning- Last season Eli Manning was sacked a career high 39 times. As a result, Eli seemed to lose his confidence. In addition, in the last game of the season he suffered an ankle injury that would require surgery.
If the Giants are to return to the playoffs, they need to keep Eli upright. The Giants have made improvements to the offensive line during the offseason by acquiring guard Geoff Schwartz and J.D Walton. They also selected lineman Weston Richburg in the second round of the draft and the Giants believe he can play either guard or center.
With these additions and last year’s first round pick Justin Pugh, continuing to improve, the Giants offensive line should be better than last year. However left tackle is still a question mark for the Giants. It’s imperative that Will Beatty who is coming off a leg injury or whomever is the Giants starting left tackle to protect Eli’s blind side.
2. Eliminate the turnovers- Turnovers were the Giants Achilles Heel last year and cost them several games. In fact, they led the NFL with 44 turnovers last season. With new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo calling plays, the Giants will resort to using a shorter passing game which will limit the number of interceptions.
If the Giants can be at least in the middle of the pack in turnover differential in the NFL, it will go a long way to the success they’ll have in 2014.
3. Have a winning record against the NFC East- Believe it or not, the Giants have not had a winning record against NFC East opponents since 2009. If they’re able to go 4-2 in the division that would mean they could potentially go 6-4 the rest of the schedule which will give them 10 wins. 10 wins should be enough to win the division. Not since the 2009 season has the NFC East Champion had more than 10 wins.
4. Get off to a fast start- Last year the Giants all but ended their chances at making the playoffs by starting the year 0-6. On paper, the Giants have a favorable schedule to start the season as only one of their first seven games is against a playoff team from last year.
Then the schedule gets difficult after the Giants bye week in week 8 as they play the Colts, Seahawks, and 49ers in consecutive weeks. So it’s vital that the Giants get off to a good start before the rough part of their schedule begins.
5. Revitalize their pass rush- At points during last season; the Giants pass rush was absent. It will be up to veterans Jason Pierre-Paul, Mathias Kiwanuka, and newcomer to the Giants Robert Ayers to rekindle the Giants once vaunted pass rush. In particular the Giants will rely on Pierre Paul to rebound from his disappointing 2012 and 2013 seasons where he had a combined 8 ½ sacks. With Justin Tuck now an Oakland Raider, the Giants will need Pierre-Paul to return to his 2011 form when he was one of the most dominant defensive lineman in the league and had 16 ½ sacks.
If the Giants are able to achieve these 5 keys they will find themselves back in the playoffs and possibly winning their 5th Lombardi trophy