New York Giants: State of the NFC East
By Jesse Connor
Sep 24, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins wide receiver Rashad Ross (19) if stopped by New York Giants defenders during second half at MetLife Stadium. The New York Giants defeated the Washington Redskins 32-21. Mandatory Credit: Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports
New York Giants
The Giants are a flawed team. But of all the teams in the NFC East, they are the least flawed.
Their 1-2 start has been forgettable but they have flashed serious promise in that time.
The Giants are settling for too many field goals but they have scored on 50% of their drives this season. They’re moving the ball very well they need to start finishing drives off and putting games away early. With that being said the Giants are 8th in points scored so far. The offense has turned the ball over just one time, which is best in the NFL. Eli Manning is yet to throw an interception, he has gone 108 passing attempts to open the season without an interception, the best stretch of his career. The Giants turnover rate is sitting at an incredible 3%.
The run game is still not necessarily a strength for this team but it is no longer the hindrance it has been for the past couple of years. The Giants are averaging 3.6 yards per carry so far. It has been enough to this point but they still must improve. I expect that will happen with the development of Ereck Flowers and the return of Will Beatty.
On defense the Giants are stuffing the run. They have allowed just 224 yards over 3 games, good for 2nd in the NFL. Their secondary is playing very well. They are 6th in the league with 4 interceptions. They’re giving up a lot of yards through the air (31st in the NFL) but that has alot to do with their play against the run. Opposing teams are being forced to attack the Giants through the air due to the inability to run on Big Blue. The Giants have seen the second highest passes attempted against them. Don’t let that 31st against the pass fool you, the Giants defense is 16th in the NFL in points allowed.
The Giants need to finish drives and close out games. These are two things a young team can learn how to do. The sooner they figure it out the better of they’ll be. The Giants have an opportunity to run away with a weak division. Their flaws are fixable ones. Once they fix them there is not another team in the division that can compete with them.