New York Giants: Why the Giants can make the playoffs in 2018

The New York Giants have made a lot of changes to get better after a horrible 2017 season. Now, they have what it takes to make the playoffs this year.

After a disastrous 3-13 season last year, the New York Giants are looking to bounce back and have a successful season.

During the offseason, the Giants made a lot of changes to make them better. They have a new general manager in Dave Gettleman and a new coach in Pat Shurmur.

They also have a new defensive coordinator in James Bettcher and drafted running back Saquon Barkley, who might have been the best player in this year’s draft. They also drafted their new offensive lineman Will Hernandez.

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Aside from the draft, they signed Nate Solder, Patrick Omameh, Nate Stupar, and John Jenkins. But, the question now is will all these changes mean the Giants will have a successful season?

Former coach and current CBS NFL analyst Bill Cowher thinks it does. Cowher told Matt Lombardo of NJ.com:

"“I love the makeup of this Giants team. I really like Pat Shurmur. I love James Bettcher, the defensive coordinator. I think the ability to go out and get Saquon Barkley, what they did in free agency to add Nate Solder, this is a team that has a chance to get back to doing the things that we saw Eli do when they went to two Super Bowls, they ran the ball. “"

I think that the Giants will have a successful season and can make the playoffs. Here is why the Giants can make the playoffs this year:

Offense:

The Giants have a new offensive line and rookie Saquon Barkely, who is expected to have a great season. In the preseason, the Giants run game wasn’t that great. They will need to fix that and I think that they can.

Another good thing for the Giants offense is that Odell Beckham Jr. is back and Evan Engram is out of the concussion protocol and ready to play in the season opener.

Beckham could have a huge year and Engram led the team in receptions and touchdowns and was second in receiving yards, so he will be able to make big plays along with Beckham and Barkley.

Quarterback Eli Manning told Paul Schwartz of the New York Post that he thinks that the offense could be dangerous.

"“I think we have some big-play potential in our group and that’s good. We have to find opportunities to make those big plays and be consistent also. We can’t be willing to give up those big plays to the defense in that sense. We have to be patient and wait for those opportunities. We have some special athletes that can make some outstanding plays.’’"

Last year, Manning threw for 3,468 yards and 13 touchdowns, his lowest touchdown total since 2013, and had 19 interceptions.

However, he didn’t have any of his weapons last year, and now he has them back and can still play at a high-level. The offense that the Giants have now can definitely get the Giants to the playoffs.

Defense:

The Giants have a new defensive coordinator in James Bettcher. Bettcher will bring a 3-4 scheme to the Giants, but will it work?

Last year, the Giants defense was 27th in points allowed, 31st in average yards allowed, 31st in pass yards against, and 27th in rush yards against.

However, in 2016 under Steve Spagnuolo the Giants had the NFL’s second best scoring defense, ranked 10th in total yards against, and was tied for third in the NFL in rush defense despite being ranked 23rd in pass defense.

In the preseason, the Giants showed signs of a dominant run defense. If Bettcher can get the defense to produce numbers like they did in 2016, then they probably will make the playoffs.

Pat Shurmur:

Shurmur is the new coach of the Giants. The question is can he lead the Giants to wins even though the have a tough schedule?

The Giants will face five of sports book Bovada’s top odds-on favorites to win the Super Bowl.Starting with the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 then the Houston Texans, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, and Atlanta Falcons in the first seven weeks.

This all according to Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News.

If Shurmur can lead the Giants to victories in most of those games, then they will have a good shot at making the playoffs.

Next. 3 Reasons why the Giants can beat the Jaguars. dark

The Giants have all the ingredients to make the playoffs this year. Now, they just have to go out and do it.

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