Top 10 New York Giants Defenses Since 1986
By Neal Lynch
1. 1990 New York Giants
13-3-0, Finished 1st in NFC East
Coach: Bill Parcells (13-3-0)
Defensive Coordinator: Bill Belichick
Defensive Alignment: 3-4
Defense SRS: 7.6
- Allowed 211 points (13.2 points per game), 1st in the league
- 2nd fewest yards allowed
- 8th most turnovers forced (4th most interceptions)
- Fewest first downs allowed
- 2nd fewest passing touchdowns allowed
- 3rd least net yards per attempt
- 5th fewest rushing attempts
- 4th least rushing yards allowed
- 6th fewest rushing touchdowns allowed
- 7th least rushing yards per attempt
Pepper Johnson led the team in tackles with 115 and forced fumbles with three. LT had 10.5 sacks en route to the Pro Bowl. Nine different players tallied a sack and an interception. Cornerback Everson Walls picked off six passes to be top dog in that category while safety Greg Jackson placed second with five. Jackson also was second in total tackles and third in sacks behind Leonard Marshall.
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CONCLUSION: As much as the 2016 Giants would love to get a workhorse back like Todd Gurley (see: Ezekiel Elliott) or a second / third wide receiver to take some pressure off Odell Beckham Jr. (see: Mohamed Sanu or Jermaine Kearse) or fortify the right side of the line, the truth is the defense will get the bulk of the focus this offseason. Double down on the defensive line, middle linebacker, and free safety with free agents and draftees. The Giants have Eli for at least four more years. Make ’em count with a top-tier defense so he can coast to a Lombardi like his older brother did in Super Bowl 50.