To Become Giants Again and Not Little Ones Again

By Jeff Knapp

The Giants started the week by releasing Guard Ted Larsen and then converting some salary of Sterling Shepard and Logan Ryan to a bonus, clearing 6.94 million dollars in cap space.This Sunday at 4:30, the New York Giants will host the Denver Broncos. The season opener will be an exciting matchup for the Giants.

The Broncos look to improve from last season with the return of Von Miller and the additions of rookie CB Patrick Surtain II, veteran CD Kyle Fuller, and QB Teddy Bridgwater, who threw for almost 4,000 yards later season in Carolina. The Giants will be tested with RB Melvin Gordan and WR Jerry Jeudy.It looks like Saquon Barkley will be back and at 100% for the opening day coming off his 2020 season-ending injury. With Saquon back, it should relieve some pressure from Daniel Jones, who is in make or break season after throwing for 2,943 yards, 11 TDs, and 10 INTs. He also ran for 423 yards.

The durability of Saquon is one of my biggest questions, but for me, the reliability of the Giants “Bad News Bears” of an offensive line is my biggest question. Last year they allowed Daniel Jones to be sacked 45 times, which puts Houston’s David Carr getting sacked 76 times in 2002 in perspective. The Giant’s offensive line might actually be the worst in football, so I’m seeing a lot of check-downs and short passes and a scrambling Daniel Jones, who might break 600 yards rushing this year. When it comes to the progression of the offensive line, I’m very interested to see how 2nd-year lineman Andrew Thomas grows from last year, especially when other big named O-linemen like Jedrick Wills, Mekhi Becton, and Tristan Wirfs were all available.

Although it’s tough to predict how the Giants are going to do this year because of the o-line performance and injuries to some key players, staying away from the injury bug and the o-line can keep the sacks at no more than 30, we have a very good chance. I believe in our defense, even with the loss of DT Dalvin Tomlinson. If everything comes together, I see the Giants defeating the Broncos 20-13 and finishing the season with eight wins and nine losses. I believe they will split wins with both the Eagles and Cowboys and win both games against the Washington Football team. I’m not looking forward to what happens against the Chiefs or the Bucs.
This week I can see Saquon finishing the day with 120 total yards and a TD, Jones throwing for 240 yards, and a TD to Darius Slayton.