4 reasons the NY Giants and Brian Daboll can go 12-5 in 2023

2. The defense will be better

One of the biggest victories of the offseason for the Giants was when Wink Martindale decided to remain the team’s defensive coordinator despite having multiple interviews and possible chances at head coaching opportunities.

Now that’s not saying Martindale won’t have other chances, especially given the way his defenses have been successful in now two locations with the Baltimore Ravens and Giants.

One of those improvements will be the continued success of Dexter Lawrence, who was rewarded with a four-year, $90 million extension. Under Martindale, Lawrence elevated his game from good to elite and now he’s been paid for it. Lawrence should only continue to improve under a defensive line that is considered one of the better ones in the league.

Kayvon Thibodeaux, the Giants first-round pick from last year, got even stronger as the season went on and should get better in his sophomore season. Add in free agent linebacker Bobby Okereke, who should flourish playing behind a dominant Giants defensive front.

The secondary is expected to be much better with the team drafting Deonte Banks in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft; a corner who can go step for step with any wide receiver and should succeed playing alongside Adoree' Jackson.

Martindale’s defense brings a lot of pressure and forces opposing offenses to make mistakes and create turnovers. With the young core of players on defense who will thrive in the scheme that Martindale coaches and with Daboll’s winning attitude, the Giants defense can only get better, and that isn’t good news for the rest of the league and especially the NFC.