Giants Perceived Weaknesses Have Been Strengths In 2015

The New York Giants were able to pick up an upset victory over the Buffalo Bills Sunday afternoon to push their record to 2-2. They are riding high currently, as they are on a two-game winning streak and tied for first place in the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins. If you asked fans what the biggest factors for the recent success was, almost everyone would say Eli Manning must be finding Odell Beckham Jr. with consistency and ease. While that has happened, the Giants have actually found success in two areas they were extremely concerned with entering the season; the offensive line and defending the run.

Heading into the 2015 season, the Giants offensive line had went from an area of improvement to an unknown. It started when Will Beatty tore a pectoral muscle working out in the spring, drastically changing the Giants’ plans for their offensive line. Instead of easing rookie Ereck Flowers into the starting lineup at right tackle, he was forced into the important left tackle spot, protecting Manning’s blindside.

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With that move, the Giants then had to chance the right tackle position, promoting Marshall Newhouse to right tackle. It weakened the Giants on paper, and prompted more questions as they wouldn’t have a player heading into 2015 starting at the same spot they were in 2014. With how poor the offensive line was last season, maybe that wasn’t the worst thing because the Giants offensive line has actually been a strength thus far this season.

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While the offense has shouldered a lot of the blame from the losses in the first two weeks of the season, it was not due to the offensive line. Through three games, the Giants had allowed only three sacks for four lost yards, which was tied for third least and least in the NFL. That number won’t get much worse, as the vaunted Bills pass rush was only able to sack Manning once for zone yard lost.

With the struggles the Giants have in the run game, keeping Manning upright with a clean pocket is imperative and it is exactly what has been delivered. The unit of Flowers, Justin Pugh, Weston Richburg, Geoff Schwartz and Newhouse won’t be one people have high expectations for, but they are getting the job done.

The other area that the Giants have had surprising success at is in the run game. It has been night and day from 2014 to 2015 for the Giants in stopping the run. In 2014, the Giants were abysmal stopping the run, giving up the third most yards on the ground in the NFL and the worst yards per carry against at 4.9. They also didn’t keep teams out of the end zone on the ground, giving up 15, which was tied for 24th in the league.

But, in 2015, it has been a total 180 in defending the run. Entering Week 4 against the Bills, the Giants were ranked second in the NFL in yards allowed on the ground, giving up only 224 yards in three games; that total trailed only the Bills. Their 3.4 yards allowed per carry were good for fourth in the NFL, and the two rushing touchdowns they gave up were tied for third least.

Oct 4, 2015; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Giants defensive end Kerry Wynn (72) chases Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) as tackle Seantrel Henderson (66) blocks during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The success continued against the Bills, as the Giants held them in check all afternoon. Even with LeSean McCoy sidelined, many people thought Karlos Williams and dual threat quarterback Tyrod Taylor would still have their way with the Giants. Well, no one told the Giants, as their rush defense stepped up in a big way. They held Williams to 40 yards on 18 carries (2.2 yards per carry) and Taylor to 15 yards on six carrries (2.5 yards per carry).

What has been the turn around here? Simply put, the personnel they have at their disposal. The Giants are being forced to use defensive tackles, such as Cullen Jenkins, as defensive end because of a lack of depth. While it has hurt the pass rush, it has beefed up the run defense with bigger bodies to contain opponents. Also, the defensive ends they are rotating such as George Selvie and Kerry Wynn, are strong against the run than as pass rushers.

The biggest help though could be from the secondary. For what starting safeties Landon Collins and Brandon Meriweather lack in pass coverage, they make up for in stopping the run. Both players like to get into the box and lay the lumber, which they have done a number of times this season. Also, Uani Unga, for all his shortcomings as a pass defender, is a strong run defender when he can focus on attacking the ball carrier. The Giants also have the luxury of having cornerbacks in Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Prince Amukamara who aren’t afraid to mix it up inside and help in stopping the run.

Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo does not have the same level of talent as his disposal as he had in his first go round as Giants’ defensive coordinator when he had Michael Strahan, Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Mathias Kiwanuka to deploy. But, he is making the most of what he has, as the Giants have turned into one of the most sound tackling teams, focusing on gang tackling to make up for their lack of individual talent.

It has turned the Giants into a fundamentally sound bunch with a ton of intensity and energy on the field. They have finally been able to turn that effort into victories the last two games, as Tom Coughlin and his staff are doing a great job with a roster that is not the most talented or deepest in the NFL, but is one that they are getting the most out of by pinpointing their strengths and weaknesses and making it work in a game plan.

It has resulted in a Giants team that is gaining confidence as they are right back in the thick of the NFC East after looking dysfunctional and out of it just two weeks ago.

Next: Osi Umenyiora's 5 Most Memorable Giants Moments

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