As the New York Giants endure their 90th year as a franchise in the NFL, the sun that has been this vaunted decade of success may be soon be setting. Eli Manning, the incumbent quarterback of the past ten seasons—and at the helm of two Super Bowl championships—remains unsigned past 2014. It could be a pure case of over-thinking; after all, it looked for all the world that the Giants would extend their quarterback, if for no other reason other than for salary cap reasons. But surprisingly, it never happened. Is it a wait-and-see approach? Trying to light a fire under Manning’s backside? It’s been wondered out loud at times if Manning was simply working on auto-pilot after getting too comfy in Kevin Gilbride’s system. It appears that the Giants are taking a page out of the Chargers negotiation handbook and are hoping that Manning emulates Philip Rivers (these guys can never be thought of separately), and Manning parlays a big campaign into a big payday, securing the future for both the player and the organization.
But if you want to delve deeper into the potential signs, Eli Manning has been only slightly better than awful in new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s West Coast scheme, which has already lead to pressing the panic button. There is now no consensus on whether or not Manning is the best option going forward; which is a stunning admission when it starts becoming openly asked amongst Giants fans, let alone those on the outside. The 5-0 preseason record was a textbook example of fool’s gold, with the opening day starters not coming close to showing that they are ready to kickoff the year. The offensive line is still a problem (and Geoff Schwartz will more than likely finding himself on short-term IR with a dislocated toe), and this year’s first round pick, Odell Beckham, Jr., hasn’t played a meaningful down since January 1st against Iowa, nursing a hamstring problem and subsequently drawing the ire of coach Tom Coughlin.
If there is any good news, it’s that Jason Pierre-Paul and Jon Beason appear to be healthy and good to go. So the Giants may have to rely on their defensive playmakers for a while so the team can finally find some semblance of coherent and consistent offense. Besides, even when all seems lost prior to when the games start to count, hope is always springing. Sometimes, that’s all a team needs.
The Schedule
Sept. 8; @ Detroit (7:10 PM; ESPN): No matter how unlikely it is, the Giants will begin their quest for a fifth Lombardi Trophy by kicking off on the front end of the Monday Night Football doubleheader. It’s also a night to probably be thankful early that the Giants splurged a lot of money on fortifying their defensive backfield, as Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson will surely be looking to do what they are capable of. Don’t forget Reggie Bush who always appears to somehow find himself a forgotten man despite his freakish ability. And Ndamukong Suh comes needing no introduction. It’s a pretty stiff test coming right out of the chute for the Big Blue, and judging from what we’ve seen, they aren’t ready to handle an explosive team like this. Lions take care of business, 27-21.
Sept. 14; vs. Arizona (1:00 PM; FOX): The Giants home opener brings another high-powered offense that will test the mettle of the DBs. The Cardinals were arguably the best team to not make the playoffs last year, and the well-oiled offensive machine of Palmer, Fitzgerald, Floyd, and Ellington, the Red Birds will force the issue and the strong Cardinals defense will force a couple of turnovers (as the Giants are unfortunately adept at giving) and that will prove to be the difference. 31-20, Cardinals.
Sept. 21; vs. Houston (1:00 PM; CBS): Having already dug themselves into an early hole for the season, the Giants finally start and finish strong against a struggling Texans offense lead by either veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick or the newly acquired Ryan Mallett. The Giants will force either quarterback into a couple of mistakes and manage to close out a unspectacular, but much-needed win, 17-10.
Sept. 25; @ Washington (8:25 PM; NFLN/CBS): Time to do some work within the division on this Thursday night showcase. Unfortunately for the Giants, RG3 is healthy and he makes life miserable for a Giants defense that has held up well early on, but is gassed due to playing twice in one week. Brian Orakpo and Ryan Kerrigan abuse the Giants leaky offensive line and The Team Who Cannot Be Said Aloud cruises, 28-10.
Oct. 5: vs. Atlanta (1:00 PM; FOX): With the mini-bye behind them, ond Odell Beckham, Jr. finally debuting, the Big Blue welcome Matt Ryan and Co. to the Meadowlands for the first time since January 2011. In that Wild Card game, the Giants pitched a virtual shutout (24-2) that catapulted their run to the title. No shutout here, but the Giants turn in their best effort of the season to hold strong against the vaulted Falcons receivers and cash in on a couple turnovers. For the time being, they save their season. 31-14.
Oct. 12: @ Philadelphia (8:30 PM; NBC): There are certain times when the results just don’t make sense. The Giants harass Nick Foles and LeSean McCoy just has an off-night. What looks like a clear mismatch on paper doesn’t play out this way as the Giants manage to climb back to .500 on the season. Giants steal one late, 20-17.
Oct. 19: @ Dallas (4:25 PM; FOX): The Giants are suddenly hot and they take advantage of a worse defense than the one that the Cowboys put on the field last year. Tony Romo is his usual game self: trying to compensate for the points that his defense can’t stop giving away, but it’s a pretty nice day for the Giants offense. It’s finally is starting to look like how Ben McAdoo envisioned it. Giants cruise (pun intended), 35-24.
Nov. 3: vs. Indianapolis (8:30 PM; ESPN): New York returns from their bye with a biggie as MVP-candidate Andrew Luck leads his Colts to an impressive victory against a Giants team beaming with confidence. In one of the most entertaining games thus far on the season, Eli and Luck match wits, but it is a fortuitous coin-flip in overtime that basically decides the game as TY Hilton manages to break open deep, setting up the eventual clincher scored by Trent Richardson, of all people. 40-34, Colts.
Nov. 9: @ Seattle (4:25 PM; FOX): The Seahawks don’t lose at home. Doesn’t matter who it is. Feel free to rake your leaves unless you’re possibly crazy like I am. ‘Hawks stroll, 28-7, dropping the Giants back under .500.
Nov. 16: vs. San Francisco (1:00 PM; FOX): The Giants put up a strong fight, but the 49ers talent just takes over late. Kaepernick does Kaepernick things as he leads his offense downfield for the game-winning field goal as regulation time expires. 49ers escape, 23-20.
Nov. 23: vs. Dallas (8:30 PM; NBC): The Giants sweep the Cowboys as they take a crucial victory to keep their flickering playoff hopes alive. The Giants force another crippling Romo turnover and they turn it into a game-winning Josh Brown field goal, 19-16, effectively ending the Cowboys season.
Nov. 30: @ Jacksonville (1:00 PM; FOX): Victor Cruz has his biggest game of the year, as he and Manning hook up for three touchdowns as the Giants have their easiest game of the year to this point. The rebuilding Jaguars are amongst the worst teams in the league at the moment, and the Giants waste little time in establishing their dominance. The Giants lead wire-to-wire and take care of business comfortably, 27-3.
Dec. 7: @ Tennessee (1:00 PM; FOX): The Giants win their third in a row behind a pesky Titans team that, like the Giants, are battling for their playoff lives. The Giants rely on the three-headed running back monster of Rashad Jennings, Andre Williams, and Peyton Hillis as the Giants bleed the clock late. The old-school Giants ball-control offense works perfectly as the Giants escape with a 16-10 win.
Dec. 14: vs. Washington (1:00 PM; FOX): The Giants continue their late charge towards the playoffs as they face off against The Team Who Cannot Be Said Aloud. Unfortunately, it feels pretty similar to the first time the two teams played, as RG3 put on another show. In doing so, they all but eliminate the Giants from postseason play for the third straight season. Noted Giants-killer Ryan Kerrigan blew up the Giants with two sacks. TTWCBSA crush the Giants 34-10, with all ten Giants points scored in garbage time.
Dec. 21: @ St. Louis (4:05 PM; FOX): Whatever hope the Giants have in gaining the final Wild Card spot rests in winning the last two on their docket. The Rams, in full “Lose-ton for Winston” mode, the Rams are just looking to finish the season without any further agony. The desperate Giants waste no time in putting the Rams down. 21-0, in a game that wasn’t even that close.
Dec. 28: vs. Philadelphia (1:00 PM; FOX): The Giants need to win and have a lot of assistance to punch their ticket to the playoffs. The Eagles, however, are not so charitable. Fighting for home-field advantage, the Eagles ultimately come out on top in a game that the Eagles skill, speed, and scheme was on full display as they overwhelm the Giants, 41-13.
The Giants finish their season at .500 with a 8-8 record. And with more questions than answers still lingering.
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