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New York Giants: 5 bold stat predictions for 2018

By Henry Buggy

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys is sacked by Olivier Vernon #54 of the New York Giants in the first half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 10: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys is sacked by Olivier Vernon #54 of the New York Giants in the first half of a game at AT&T Stadium on September 10, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 11: Defensive Coordinator James Bettcher of the Arizona Cardinals walks out onto the field before the NFL game against the New England Patriots at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 11: Defensive Coordinator James Bettcher of the Arizona Cardinals walks out onto the field before the NFL game against the New England Patriots at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

No. 1 – James Bettcher Leads Giants To Top 10 Defense

This may seem like a wild prediction given New York’s defensive play in 2017.

But don’t sleep on Big Blue’s new defensive coordinator. Bettcher led the Arizona Cardinals to three consecutive top-six finishes in terms of yards allowed.

It’s not as though the Cardinals didn’t have player turnover or injuries during his tenure. They lost key starters like Tony Jefferson and Kevin Minter in free agency. They lost players like Tyrann Mathieu, Deone Bucannon, and Tyvon Branch to season-ending injuries. But Arizona’s defense continued to play well as a unit.

The same can not be said for the Giants. Over the past three seasons, the G-Men have posted the league’s 31st, 10th, and 32nd ranked defenses.

Giants former general manager Jerry Reese spent $200 million on Big Blue’s defense during the 2016 offseason. The team undoubtedly has talent on the defensive side of the ball. There are five players on the roster, Landon Collins, Alec Ogletree, Harrison, Vernon, and Jenkins, who were All-Pros in 2016.

The additions of Lorenzo Carter, Kareem Martin, and Hill should only elevate this defense to another level. The Giants have already shown the ability to go from worst to top 10 in 2016.

Next: New York Giants Top 15 First-Round Draft Picks All-Time

Under Bettcher, the Giants have the potential to return to their defensive dominance. Don’t be surprised when he leads Big Blue’s defense to a quick turnaround in 2018.

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