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Are the New York Giants the NFC’s most improved team?

By Russell S. Baxter

EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 02: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Head coach Joe Judge of the New York Giants in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 02, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Buccaneers defeated the Giants 25-23. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - NOVEMBER 02: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Head coach Joe Judge of the New York Giants in action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at MetLife Stadium on November 02, 2020 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Buccaneers defeated the Giants 25-23. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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Big Blue has posted four-straight losing seasons since reaching the playoffs in 2016. But things are definitely looking up for the New York Giants.

The New York Giants employed the same head coach for 12 consecutive seasons from 2004-15. Exit Tom Coughlin and enter promoted offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. There was a playoff appearance in 2016 but he didn’t last the following season. Steve Spagnuolo took over for the final four games in 2017 and then Pat Shurmur lasted but two seasons.

All told, the Giants are a combined 18-46 the past four seasons, including a 6-10 mark under current sideline leader Joe Judge (via Dan Benton of GiantsWire.com). A closer look shows a 6-5 record in the team’s final 11 games after a 0-5 start. That includes a sweep of reigning NFC East champion Washington and a victory at Seattle.

The catalyst for the turnaround was the play of a revived defense that had reversed its misfortunes of recent seasons. A loaded secondary featuring cornerback James Bradberry, safety Jabrill Peppers and versatile Logan Ryan came up big in 2020 and this offseason added Ryan’s former teammate Adoree’ Jackson.

Meanwhile, the offense gained the second-fewest total yards in the league and was tied with the New York Jets for the fewest offensive touchdowns (25) in the league. But young quarterback Daniel Jones has additional help in wide receivers Kenny Golladay, John Ross and rookie Kadarius Toney – the latter a speedy first-round pick from the University of Florida.

There are also newcomers in former wideout/converted tight end Kelvin Benjamin, drafted by Giants’ general manager Dave Gettleman while with the Panthers, and veteran tight end Kyle Rudolph, a two-time Pro Bowler in 10 seasons with the Vikings.

Mike Rosenstein of NJ.com has the latest on Saquon Barkley, shelved for the season after going down in Week 2 at Chicago. Gettleman added depth in the backfield with Devontae Booker and Corey Clement. Wayne Gallman, who led the club in rushing in 2020, is now a member of the 49ers. All of this to go along with incumbent wide receivers Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton as well as tight end Even Engram.

Washington looks to become the first team to repeat as NFC East champion since the Eagles from 2001-04. And speaking of the Birds, they look to rebound from a 4-11-1 finish. Like the Giants, the Dallas Cowboys look to bounce back from a 6-10 showing. But they also featured one of the worst defenses in the league and are looking to rebound under coordinator Dan Quinn. Big Blue has not won a division title since its Super Bowl XLVI campaign of 2011.

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In 2020, the NFL expanded the playoff field from six to seven teams per conference. And it is worth noting that only the Packers, Saints, Seahawks, Buccaneers and Rams finished with winning records in the NFC this past season. That turnaround from a 0-5 start should not be ignored. So Judge and the Giants bear serious watching this fall.

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