New York Giants: GMENHQ Staff Predicts 2015 Record

Aug 3, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz (80) prior to the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame game against the Buffalo Bills at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Gerard Oberle, Staff Writer Predicts:

Tasked with the question of how many games the Giants will win in 2015, it took me much thought to decide what my early prediction would in fact be. Nevertheless, I will get straight to the point. It is of my belief that the New York Giants will win eight games in the 2015 season marking a two win improvement. Consequently, I do not think the Giants will make the playoffs. However don’t fret, I believe there are a number ways that the Giants can win more than eight games in 2015.

Starting at the quarterback position, Eli Manning is the straw that stirs the Giants drink. He is their barometer for success, how he plays they play. Manning succeeds… The Giants succeed. I am a ‘believer’ in Manning, but I am not about to go ‘head over heels’ in my faith for the former super bowl champion. Manning is a historically notably inconsistent quarterback. Sometimes he plays below average, sometimes he’s just average, and sometimes Manning is ‘elite.’ Luckily for Manning and the Giants; Manning seems to always pick the best possible time to be ‘elite.’ That being said, Manning will have the weapons around him to succeed in 2015. Whether it is the return of Victor Cruz, a much improved offensive line, or having Odell Beckham Jr. for a full season, Manning is lined up for a career year in 2015. Due to the aforementioned, and due to the fact that we expect such to happen, the pressure on Manning will be immense in 2015-16. Again, if Manning succeeds… More often than not, so do the Giants.

I have written about it before, I think the Giants offense will be highly successful in 2015. What will not be highly successful? Well, that’s the Giants defense. At best, I see the Giants sporting an average defense in 2015. I think the pick of Landon Collins helps, I think there are a few young, and promising players on the Giants defense, but I still have my doubts that this group will be successful in 2015. As negative as this point of view may seem, there is a positive. If The Giants can take significant strides on defense come 2015, I think the sky then becomes the limit for their potential success in 2015. What I think will likely be an eight win team, would instantly look much more like a nine, or ten win team, if/when the Giants defense actually improves.

Next: Vincent Rapisardi, Staff Writer Predicts