GMENHQ Staff: Final Giants Season Predictions

Nov 16, 2014; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning (10) throws a pass against the San Francisco 49ers during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Giants 16-10. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Jesse Connor, Co-Editor:

Call me optimistic but I have hopes for the 2015 New York Football Giants. There are several reasons for this. I don’t think the division is as strong as most are making it out to be, I think the Giants offense is going to air it out and score a ton of points, and I believe in a Steve Spagnuolo defense.

Eli Manning will be in the running for the MVP award this season. He has weapons all across the board that will cause nightmares for defensive coordinators far and wide. With Odell Beckham leading the charge the Giants receiving core is supported by Victor Cruz, Rueben Randle, James Jones, and pass catching tight end Larry Donnell. For the first time in as long as I can remember the Giants will use the passing game to set up the run game. Defenses must respect what they can do through the air and in turn will have to put extra corners or safeties on the field and essentially off the line of scrimmage. When Rashad Jennings was healthy last year he was a very productive back, and with Andre Williams’ power run game and 3rd down specialist Shane Vereen now in the mix every skill position on the filed will be a threat. This will help the offensive line develop, and when Will Beatty returns it may very well be a strength for this squad. The offense’s strengths match up well against weak secondaries throughout the division. Dallas got away with a bad defense last year and Philadelphia was unable to beat teams that put up a lot of points. The Redskins remain in quarterback purgatory, and if you believe in the 2-7 Kirk Cousins with more picks then touchdowns then you’re a foolish human being.

For defense I really expect the defensive line to be much stronger than anyone believes. It may take a few weeks to come together but there is no doubt there talent across the board. There are pass rushers, run stuffers, and guys who do both. Their versatility will go along way and the pressure will come. When it does, the Giants cornerbacks will feast on opposing quarterbacks as Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Prince Amukamara form one of the better cornerback tandems in the league. Nickleback Trumaine McBride is very underrated and can cover and tackle very well from his position. The line and corners will have to cover for the young safety unit as they get acclimated to the league but I think Landon Collins and Cooper Taylor will become a very good couple on the backend. The linebacking unit is a rather unanimous one, but look for J.T Thomas to break out and Devon Kennard to continue his development from last season. If Jon Beason can stay healthy this will be a very strong unit, if not Jameel McClain has proven he can play all 3 linebacking spots and can fill in just fine, this is a guy who started on a Super Bowl winner with the Baltimore Ravens.

See you in February.

Next: Anthony Sciarratta, Staff Writer