NFL Predictions 2018: Best-case scenario for all 32 teams
By Randy Gurzi
New York Giants: Worst to first
Not many teams that go from worst to first are seen from a distance. It’s usually a surprising thing where some young stars break out and suddenly a new franchise controls their unsuspecting division. That’s not going to be the case with the New York Giants should they be able to climb out of the basement in the NFC East and win the division in 2018.
New York struggled all season, but that had more to do with the issues they were having with injuries and their coach. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. went down with an injury and missed most the season, which in itself doomed their offense. They were also without Sterling Shepard and Brandon Marshall at the position for much of the year.
That left quarterback Eli Manning throwing to people he wasn’t as comfortable with, and they had to keep throwing since their run game wasn’t strong. On top of that, head coach Ben McAdoo was a big problem for them.
With McAdoo gone and Pat Shurmur in control now, the future looks much better. They’re also healthy again and we know what Manning, the two-time Super Bowl-winner, can do when he catches fire.
Helping him this season will be the presence of a running game finally. With the No. 2 overall pick, the Giants took Saquon Barkley out of Penn State and he’s got enough talent to carry an offense on his own. This team is poised to make a run at the NFC East once again.