Unfortunately, we are at the point in the season where playoff hopes for the NY Giants are all but gone. Sitting at 2-7, this team is nowhere close to contending.
Granted, they've been competitive, but simply not good enough, and the season is hanging on by a thread. There is some good news, however. This week, the Giants take on the Carolina Panthers in Germany and can end their four-game losing streak.
There's a real chance the Giants won't win another game after this week, so they simply have to get it done against the worst team in the NFL.
3. Giants break 30 for the first time this year
The Giants' defense throughout this season has done its job for the most part. The offense on the other hand has been a real question mark. The team is averaging just over 15 points per game and has three games this year scoring seven or fewer.
That's not exactly what you want, especially when your head coach is supposed to be a play-calling savant. That changes this week, for the Giants will score 30+ points for the first time this year.
The Panthers' defense allows more than 32 points per game and truly has nothing to play for. Their season is shot and look for the Giants to come motivated after a couple of weeks in a row of not being able to finish. The Giants' biggest problem has been not getting the ball in the end zone and settling for field goals. That will change in Germany.
They got close to 30 against Seattle, but this week is when they break the seal.
2. CB Deonte Banks redeems himself
As solid as the defense has been this year, Deonte Banks unfortunately finds himself on the other side of the praise. The second-year cornerback has allowed six touchdowns in the team's nine games, which is the most in the NFL.
Not to mention, he was benched for a lack of hustle against Pittsburgh and noticeably gave up on Jalen Hurts' run when they played Philadelphia. Hopes were high for the cornerback among fans, but he hasn't come anywhere close to expectations.
If there were ever a slump-buster type of game to get some confidence back, it would be against this receiving corps. After trading away Dionte Johnson, and Jonathan Mingo and losing Adam Thielen to injury, the Panthers are left with rookie Xavier Legette as their No. 1. Alongside Legette are Jalen Coker and David Moore, not exactly a nightmare for defenses. If Banks can't get things right against this team, he may need to watch from the sidelines again.
1. QB Daniel Jones lights up the stat sheet
So far through 2024 the rollercoaster experience that is Daniel Jones has continued. One week, he looks like the worst quarterback in the league, and the next, he looks like a competent guy under center, giving you just enough hope to defend him. He’s coming off an efficient game against the Commanders, in which he went 20-of-26 for 174 yards and a couple of touchdowns, his first passing touchdown at home in nearly 700 days. An insane stat, but a real one.
It's no secret Jones plays better on the road and you have to think it's because both he and the fans know the writing is on the wall.
The fans are tired of him and he's probably tired of the fans. But this week, he goes to a neutral site and won't have to worry about the home hecklers. Look for Jones to throw for 300+ yards and have at least three total touchdowns.
This may be a swan song type of performance for Jones so we may as well enjoy it. Although, the Giants are considered the home team this week, so hopefully that doesn't mess with him.