Somehow, some way, the New York Giants sit atop the NFC East heading into their bye week.
Despite losing their starting quarterback, Jaxson Dart, not even two games into the season and their best pass rusher, Brian Burns, the John Harbaugh-led Giants find themselves at 4-2-1 at the midway point of their season, already matching their win total all from last year.
While Harbaugh has certainly contributed to New York's surprising start to their season, these three surprises have Giants fans buzzing heading into the second half of the year:
Three reasons why Giants fans should be excited about what's to come post-bye week
1. J.J. McCarthy picked up where Jaxson Dart left off
This should come as no surprise. I mean, no one saw this coming when the Giants acquired former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy from the Minnesota Vikings for just a fifth-round pick. Safe to say the move looks like a good one.
After a near-miraculous 24-point fourth-quarter comeback against the New Orleans Saints, in which McCarthy threw for 243 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the fourth quarter alone, the 23-year-old proved his near late-game heroics were no fluke.
On the road against an elite Houston Texans defense and as massive underdogs, McCarthy completed over 70% of his passes for 252 yards while also having two completions that went over 40 yards, leading Big Blue to a thrilling overtime win.
When the Giants lost Dart for the year just seven snaps into their Week 2 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, they were rightfully written off the season. The McCarthy acquisition, however, might've just changed that narrative. The arm talent that NFL scouts raved about during his time at Michigan was on full display against a very good Texans defense. If McCarthy can build off his exceptional effort against Houston, this could be a fun second half of the season.
2. Deonte Banks' arrival is carrying Giants' secondary
I think it's safe to say that Deonte Banks has officially arrived. After two back-to-back poor seasons that led the Giants to decline his fifth-year option, the former first-round pick has been a huge boost to New York's defense.
The 25-year-old ranks 30th among NFL cornerbacks, according to Pro Football Focus, after being ranked the third-worst player at his position last season. He's coming off arguably his best game of the year, locking down Texans wide receiver Nico Collins, who was held to just two catches for six yards.
Banks also has a pick-six on his ledger this season, after picking off Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett, to secure a 36-24 win for the Giants.
Heading into this season, Banks' future with the Giants was in question, especially after he started only six games last season. Banks, though, has given New York's defense a huge boost and will look to continue his career year when the Giants return from their bye.
3. The NFC East is there for the taking
Even after all the injuries the Giants have dealt with this season, they still find themselves as a legit contender for the NFC East title in what would be their first since winning the Super Bowl during the 2011-2012 season.
Entering their bye week, the Giants have essentially a two-game lead over the Dallas Cowboys, who are 3-4 on the year, after defeating them in Week 1. The Philadelphia Eagles are just in shambles. They're on a five-game losing streak (their longest since 2016), are dealing with many injuries on both sides of the ball, including Jalen Hurts, who is done for the season due to blood clots, and their defense has been one of the worst in the league during this stretch.
The Washington Commanders sit last in the division at 1-4-1 and appear headed for a head coaching change after another play-calling gaffe and the season-ending injury of their top receiver, Terry McLaurin.
It looks like a two-team race for the NFC East crown between the Giants and the Cowboys, with the Giants holding a slight edge after their Week 1 win. It's all on the table for New York to secure, and as long as they don't let up during the second half of the season, MetLife Stadium could host just the second playoff game in its history.
Add us as a preferred source on Google