The New York Giants: NFC Favorites? Why Not?
Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL season is winding down and we've seen many storylines come out of the NFC this year. Cowboys with Dak, Lions and their 4th quarter comebacks, Falcons with their high powered offense, and the Seahawks and their top-notch defense, etc. But until the last couple of weeks, the team that has probably been the one to really talk about wasn't getting much attention: the New York Giants.
Most of my friends who watch the NFL are not really Giants fans and they have the mentality of the Giants are "better lucky than good." I guess it is a similar mindset to what I have for the Chiefs in the AFC, but I guess I am a firm believer in history, which makes me have a little more faith in the Giants than the Chiefs in the AFC. But while the offense is near the bottom of key categories (30th in rushing, 17th in passing, 27th overall) and the defense is in the top half (not really top 10, save passing defense), the last team if I was an NFC contender, I would want to face is the Giants. They have won 8 of their last 9 and have peaked at the right time. Yes, I also get their games are also nail-biters lately but again, we've seen a team like the Giants over the years play in these tough, close games against tough teams and come out on top. So why do I think the Giants are the favorites to win?
The Giants have given Dallas nightmares this season
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1. CONSIDER THE REST OF THE NFC CONTENDERS RIGHT NOW: The Giants beat Dallas twice and Detroit once (and in back-to-back weeks), They did lose to Washington and Green Bay earlier on before the Giants run of 8-1 in the last 9. But I don't see either one right now being overall better than New York. But we've also seen New York in January go to Green Bay and beat the Packers on a couple of occasions. And if Green Bay wins out, they still win the North over Detroit. As for the rest of the remaining teams (Falcons, Bucs, and Seahawks), given Atlanta's playoff issues in the past 10 years home or road and Tampa Bay being fairly young as a squad, I don't think the Giants would have an issue at either the Georgia Dome or Raymond James (likely the Georgia Dome). I do think the Seahawks present a problem if the Giants have to go into Seattle and with that crowd, but with the loss of Earl Thomas and the issues of being streaky make me re-think them as well.
Whenever the Giants win is when Eli is smart with the ball.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
2. THE PLAY OF ELI: Yes, the guy probably deserves a lot of flak he gets. Some of my friends say he is as lucky as lucky can get over his NFL career. And I've ripped him on numerous occasions as well. But when it comes down to big games and big moments, he does find a way to come out on top. Yeah, we can attribute the 2007 and 2011 Super Bowl Championships to the front lines the Giants had, but had Eli played like garbage there wouldn't be a Super Bowl appearance at all. And in this 9 game stretch, Eli has done nothing but play solid. The numbers aren't impressive, but he is completing 63% of his passes and has 20 TD's to 9 INT's (kinda high in that aspect, but he's done more way more good than harm). And that has been his career in a nutshell: nothing overly impressive, but steady. And he does have a knack of winning playoff games too.
Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie has come up with several key turnovers this season.
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
3. WINNING THE TURNOVER WAR: The Giants were a -7 in the turnover ratio after the first 5 games this year. They've been a +4 since the streak and yes, the giveaways are an issue, but if they're taking away the ball like what they've been the last four weeks (10), you have to figure they will hold onto the ball in crunch time.
The Giants have been frustrating quarterbacks in a big way during this run.
Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
4. GETTING TO THE QUARTERBACK: New York's relentless pursuit of the quarterback also has given teams fits. The Giants have 31 sacks, but given that 25 of the 31 have been in this run, has been pretty impressive. Even in the 17-6 win over the Lions, the Giants went after Stafford like nobody else has, creating fits for a quarterback that many say garners some talk for MVP and only a QBR of 71 and they completely frustrated Dak the week before to his worst game and having Cowboys fans screaming for Tony Romo to come off the bench. Welp............. But overall, you have to credit the Giants pass rush to their success these last 9 games.
Landon Collins had a key moment in the win agianst the Rams this season with a Pick Six
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
5. THE BIG PLAY: I mean it could be a bomb to Cruz or Beckham, or a fumble return for a TD, or a Pick-Six. It seems like the Giants have that one play that changes the outcome of the game every time out.
Yes, I get it: the Giants have issues, especially running the ball. But right now, if you look at the NFC in general you have teams with issues all over the place. Dallas might be playing over their heads on defense right now. Detroit has the same issues running the ball. Green Bay's defense is shoddy and dinged up. Washington could pose a threat if they could be more consistent themselves. Atlanta has issues against the pass. And Tampa Bay looks like a juggernaut one week and lost the next. So really, the Giants are not much different than the rest of the NFC. But right now they are playing the best football in the conference and you have to consider them the favorites in the NFC for right now, even over Dallas.
-Fan in the Obstructed Seat
