New York Giants: The defense could be special again in 2018

The New York Giants came up with an upset victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, winning 12-9 in overtime. Although it was just Big Blue’s second win of the season, it showed that the team might be able to bounce back in 2018.

Was it pretty? No, but a win is a win. And the New York Giants showed flashes on Sunday of the team we expected them to be this year.

The defense showed its 2016 form and proved that there are plenty of long-term pieces on that side of the ball.

The defensive line is set for the next three seasons with Olivier Vernon, Jason Pierre-Paul, Damon Harrison, and Dalvin Tomlinson all under contract. If all four are healthy, they’re one of the more talented defensive fronts in the NFL.

Harrison and Tomlinson have been one of the best defensive tackle duos in the league this year despite the lack of team success. We must give Jerry Reese credit for drafting Tomlinson after Johnathan Hankins skipped town.

Reese also may have finally found the third defensive end the Giants have been looking for in fifth-round pick Avery Moss. Moss has continually been a bright spot during disappointing losses.

As for the secondary, Janoris Jenkins bounced back from an absolutely embarrassing Week 10 performance. He had an interception on Sunday and picked off another pass that was called back because of pass interference on Jenkins but the catch was still impressive. Jenkins looked like he wanted to play and when he gives full effort, he is one of the best shutdown corners in the game.

Jenkins claims his sorry showing against the 49ers wasn’t a lack of effort which is hard to believe. But whatever it was, Jenkins fixed it on Sunday and proved that he will be the Giants’ No. 1 cornerback for the foreseeable future.

The future defensive captain, Landon Collins stepped up on Sunday. Collins is not having the best year after being a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in 2016. However, Collins came to play against the Chiefs.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 26: Landon Collins (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

According to Pro Football Focus, Collins allowed three receptions for just three yards (yes, three yards) and picked off Travis Kelce on a trick play where Collins covered a lot of ground to come up with the interception. Collins also led the team with 12 tackles and had six defensive stops.

Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie continues to play well since his suspension. He allowed five catches on Sunday for just 20 yards, per PFF. The Giants can save $6.5 million of his $8.5 million cap hit in 2018 by cutting DRC after this season which seemed like a no-brainer just a few weeks ago but now, perhaps the Giants will look to have him take a pay cut to stick around.

Eli Apple, despite being inactive on Sunday, has continued to show flashes of brilliance this year but has yet to master the consistency that’s necessary for a cornerback. Apple is still young, however, and is considered part of the Giants’ future secondary.

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Free safety Darian Thompson looks to be part of the Giants’ future as well. After a slow start to the season, Thompson has picked up his play. Thompson missed all but two games in 2016 so this is essentially his rookie season. As he continues to learn, he’ll improve and Thompson has shown plenty of promise. If Thompson can be the ball-hawking safety that he was at Boise State, the Giants’ secondary could go to the next level in 2018.

New York could certainly use some linebackers, especially ones who can cover tight ends (Kelce hauled in eight catches for 109 yards on Sunday). Devon Kennard, Jonathan Casillas, and Keenan Robinson are all free agents at the end of the year and Kennard is probably the only one of that group with a chance to return.

B.J. Goodson has looked good as a run stopper this year when healthy with “when” being the operative word as he has only played in five games. Goodson also struggles quite a bit in pass coverage.

Despite their need for more linebackers, the New York Giants defense is in good shape moving forward. The defensive line looks set for the next three years with Avery Moss’s development potentially making it even scarier. The secondary could have two safeties that perfectly complement each other along with a true shutdown corner. And consistency from Eli Apple and a pay cut from Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie could make the Giants very hard to pass against.

2017 has been a rough season for the New York Giants and their fans. However, they could turn things around rather quickly and compete again in 2018.

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Sunday’s victory should not save Ben McAdoo’s job. He’ll need to do a lot more to do that. But the win did show that Big Blue’s defense has the pieces to be special. After failing to carry the Giants in 2017, the defense could get New York back on track in 2018.

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