4 reasons the NY Giants will still make the playoffs
By Zak Musso
The 2022 campaign has been a wild, franchise-altering ride for the NY Giants. It all began when Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll were hired and immediately gutted the roster of expensive veterans like Blake Martinez, Logan Ryan, and James Bradberry.
After the roster was gutted, plenty NFL media members picked the Giants to win four or less games, and there were tons of questions surrounding Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley’s futures with the Giants.
After all that offseason chaos, Big Blue stunningly ripped off six wins in their first seven games, including triumphant double-digit comebacks in London against the Packers and at home against the Ravens. Danny Dimes and Barkley silenced all their doubters with their early season resurgences, but the wheels have fallen off a bit recently.
Since the 6-1 start, the Giants are 1-4-1, with their only victory being against the lowly Houston Texans. Despite the rough stretch, the Giants are 7-5-1 and still in prime position to make the playoffs thanks to one of the best starts in franchise history. Here are the four reasons the Giants will still reach the postseason.
4. Daniel Jones will rise to the occassion
Jones has certainly proved he can be an adequate NFL starting quarterback this season. Jones has shown flashes of elite quarterback play and has been arguably the best offensive play (other than Saquon) throughout the year.
Jones has completed 247 of his 347 pass attempts for 2,534 yards and 12 touchdowns. In each of his four seasons, Jones has significantly improved his turnover rate, and this season he has only thrown four interceptions, by far a career low, and second least among quarterbacks who have started every game this season.
Jones has also posted career highs in rushing yards, rushing attempts, rushing touchdowns, QBR, and passer rating. The most significant and telling stat of just how much Danny Dimes has improved: he has led four fourth quarter comebacks this season, displaying the clutch gene that is essential for NFL starting quarterbacks to have.
The Giants likely need to win two out of their final four games to earn a postseason berth, and with Jones running the offense, we would certainly not bet against it.