2. New York Giants
A year ago, most had the Giants in the basement of the division after a 4-13 season before Week 1 started. Then a 9-7-1 season happened and suddenly, the Giants went from being the laughingstock of the league to a serious NFC playoff contender.
The NFL sure thought the Giants were on the rise and back to being a team to take seriously when the league gave the Giants five primetime games for 2023; the first of which is Week 1 on Sunday Night Football against the Dallas Cowboys.
Under Brian Daboll, the current NFL Head Coach of the Year, he has breathed new life into the organization and especially into the offense, which has been re-done to give Daniel Jones a chance to shine even further like he did in 2022.
Bringing in a mauler to solidify the offensive line in John Michael Schmitz will help an offensive line that Pro Football Focus had ranked 30th by the end of 2022. Adding in weapons like Darren Waller, Parris Campbell, trading up to get Jalin Hyatt and finding a possible gem in the undrafted free agent signing of Bryce Ford-Wheaton gives the Giants offense a new look.
The missing piece is figuring out Saquon Barkley’s contract situation; whether it’s him playing on the franchise tag or getting a long-term deal done before July 17. Barkley being back in the fold for the Giants would only make them even stronger since Barkley clearly proved that when healthy, he’s one of the best in the league.