5 Things the NY Giants need to do to make the playoffs in 2021
By John Makuch
3. The NY Giants need to finish with at least a 4-2 record in the NFC East
When 7-9 can win the division, every game is important, especially those crucial divisional games.
It is unlikely that that abysmal record will win the division a second year in a row though, as the champion will most likely come in with eight or nine wins.
The NY Giants have their work cut out for them especially with their road schedule playing some tough teams in; the Kansas City Chiefs, Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New Orleans Saints Saints, Chicago Bears, and the Los Angeles Chargers. Not only will stealing one or two of these games become important along with playing well at home, but the divisional games also become more of a focus.
The Giants split their record with the Philadelphia Eagles last season, as they head for a future of turmoil with an unclear quarterback situation and holes in many key areas. The NY Giants should use this opportunity to sweep Philadelphia this upcoming season.
While the Eagles always give the Giants a problem especially on the road, there is more talent in New York at the moment than there is in Philadelphia, with a new coach in Philly and an experienced Joe Judge a sweep is more than realistic.
The Dallas Cowboys are a bit of an unknown, as we do not know how good Dak Prescott will be this upcoming season. It will be impossible to predict how he comes back from his gruesome leg injury that occurred against the Giants in Week 5.
The defense in Dallas should remain porous but most likely not as porous as last year, many expect a bounce-back season from The Cowboys, and with a healthy Prescott, if he stays, they most likely will not be as bad as they were in 2020.
Splitting with Dallas is a realistic goal in 2021, although sweeping them and Philadelphia would put the NY Giants in a great position to win this division regardless of what happens with Washington.
The Washington Football team may not have a name just yet but they have a stout young defense that will only get better with another year of experience. Chase Young and his wrecking crew will give problems for the NY Giants inconsistent offensive line in a tough two games for the GMEN.
Despite all of these issues, New York swept Washington in 2020, both games were within less than a touchdown, but a Week 6 decision to go for two cost Washington a chance at overtime, and the Giants beat them again by four points three weeks later.
A team like the Football Team will be looking for revenge in 2021, and it is more than likely that a sweep will not happen two years in a row but anything is possible of course. A sweep of Philadelphia and splitting with Dallas and Washington will leave New York with a 4-2 record again in the division, and depending on how the rest of the division plays out that could be enough to take the divisional crown.
5-1 is the bare minimum however, going 5-1 in the division would all but guarantee the crown unless the Giants do not capitalize and go at least 10-6 or 9-7.
The NFC East may not be the NFC Least of 2020, but 9-7 could very well win it this year, and winning in your division guarantees losses for your opponents so these all should feel a little bit more like “must-win” games in a division as tight as this.