The NY Giants certainly made their mark during the 2022 season. For the first time since 2016, they made it to the postseason and for the first time since Superbowl XLVI, they won a playoff game.
But, can they do it again? Can the Giants keep that momentum and transfer it to another solid season in 2023? Did they do enough this offseason to keep them in the playoff hunt? Has the NFC East gotten any better, or how about the rest of the NFC for that matter?
The Giants have made a flurry of offseason moves since last season ended. Some players have signed elsewhere, but many players have taken their talents to East Rutherford via general manager Joe Schoen striking deals. With all of that said, here's three reasons why we think the G-Men will get back to the playoffs next winter:
3. The Giants will overcome their tough list of opponents
It all comes down to whether or not the Giants can keep their winning ways from last season and translate it to another winning season in 2023. The NFL has yet to release the upcoming schedule for all 32 teams, but we do know which opponents the Giants will be facing next season.
Our 2023 opponents 👀 pic.twitter.com/x24ikqI9Mt
— New York Giants (@Giants) January 25, 2023
The Giants have the third-toughest schedule in terms of how teams did last season. Of course, a lot has changed since then, with many big names switching teams this offseason. This may be concerning, but keep in mind just how tough of a road the Giants had to face last season on their route to the playoffs. The showings against Tennessee, Baltimore, Green Bay in London, and Jacksonville were certainly hard-earned wins.
Some tricky games from the schedule above are the MetLife neighbors the New York Jets, the cross-state rival Buffalo Bills, and the high-powered offense of the San Francisco 49ers. Those three are certainly tough tests in themselves, but we also need to not forget just how tough the NFC East was last season. Nearly all four teams made the playoffs, with Washington being the only outlier despite having a respectable 8-8-1 record. Regardless of all that, NY will find a way to get things done.
2. The Giants will bounce back vs. the NFC East
Looking at the NFC East, Philadelphia is still the powerhouse of the division, but do the Giants finally have an edge on the Dallas Cowboys at No. 2? This offseason showed both the Giants and Cowboys making moves to get better, with Dallas acquiring a couple of good pieces. Cornerback Stephon Gilmore and WR Brandin Cooks highlight that for the 'Boys, while re-signing RB Tony Pollard and releasing Ezekiel Elliott gives them flexibility in the backfield.
As impressive as the Dallas offseason has been, the Giants have turned heads too. It all starts with locking up Daniel Jones for the next four seasons. He has a lot to prove with this new contract, and all eyes are on him to bring this team back to the playoffs. Additionally, acquiring targets for Jones in Darren Waller, Jamison Crowder, and Parris Campbell only aids the previous receiving core of Darius Slayton, Sterling Shepard and Isaiah Hodgins.
In the backfield, Saquon Barkley had a career year last season and is entering his prime at 26 years old. This offensive unit is explosive, and if all goes according to plan, they should be breaking open the record books in 2023 in terms of yards gained and points scored.
Defensively, it is all on the new-look linebacking core to create chaos and mayhem. The most pressure coming from edge-rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux, who cannot afford to have a sophomore slump. Newly acquired middle linebacker Bobby Okereke has to continue to be a stud in the center of the field.
His last two seasons have shown his dynamic ability to stop anyone who is in his vicinity with the ball. And then there is Azeez Ojulari, who impressed last season when healthy with 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in just seven games of work. All of his this is bad news for Washington, Dallas and Philly. With the Eagles, we expect NY to take them down when these teams meet at MetLife.
1. The Giants are still a contender in the NFC
The NFC is going to be a completely different animal than years past. The loss of Tom Brady in Tampa Bay opens up the conference to new possibilities, as some younger and hungrier quarterbacks are ready to try and take the mantle from the NFC powerhouses.
NY has to face off against the entire NFC West in 2023. There's countless headlines for the division leading up to the new campaign. Geno Smith is back on his new deal, while SF is ready to try and move forward with Brock Purdy - unless Trey Lance wins back his old job. In Arizona, everyone is waiting to see what will happen with Kyler Murray.
NY went 9-7-1 last season, yet they've only improved the roster since then. And, the NFL Draft will see them get even better on both sides of the ball. Who knows, maybe Schoen has another trick up his sleeve trade wise leading up to the first round as well.
All in all, the Giants have a lot of tough contests coming in 2023, but even some of the tougher opponents will be winnable games. I do not expect the Giants to shy away from gutsy play calls, gritty grind-out victories, and a roller coaster-type season from start to finish. Staying healthy is important, as the loss of one or more playmakers on both sides of the ball could be detrimental. However, the belief in Brian Daboll and Co. has never been higher. Come January, the postseason will await.
READ MORE: 4 NY Giants who could get cut after the NFL Draft