3 reasons the NY Giants will win the NFC East, and 2 why they won't
By Doug Rush
Why they will: The Giants improved drastically from 2022
The Giants made a $160 investment into the 2023 season thinking they will take the next step as far as their play goes. That was the deal the Giants gave to Daniel Jones after his 2022 season where he led the Giants to the playoffs and a playoff win as well.
In order to double down on that $160 million investment in Jones, the Giants needed to give him additional reinforcements to make sure the team, especially the offense, trends upwards. They traded for Darren Waller, drafted Jalin Hyatt, signed Parris Campbell and are still working on getting Barkley back under contract. On top of that, the Giants added perhaps one of the best centers in the draft in John Michael Schmitz.
Darren Waller is going to be a problem for opponents to handle if he can stay healthy.
— Doug Rush (@TheDougRush) March 14, 2023
Brian Daboll has to be salivating on options he can use from his playbook. And I’m sure Daniel Jones is too.pic.twitter.com/Fb42WGT4jr
A year ago, several of the Giants key weapons were either injured, traded, or just didn't show up on game day. Two of those players are expected to return in Sterling Shepard and Wan'Dale Robinson and if they can remain healthy, they could be key contributors in the Giants offense in 2023. Two key contributors from the passing game in 2022 are also back in Isaiah Hodgins and Darius Slayton. Given the fact that Kenny Golladay wasn't a factor during the season and Kadarius Toney was traded at midseason at the deadline, it was up to those two to be the Giants one-two punch in the passing game.
Jones has a variety of options to get the ball down the field to. If the offensive line can improve from what they were last year, it should give him more time to scan the field and find players like Waller, Hyatt, Hodgins or Slayton for big yardage. Plus, Barkley too, as he is also a key in the passing game as well as the run game.
Many feel that the Giants are trending upwards and given the fact that not only was Brian Daboll the NFL's Coach of the Year, but Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was a finalist in several head coaching opportunities and could be one again with the improvements in the offense. Kafka could really bolster his chances again if the Giants are even more improved on offense. With the weapons added, they should be.