New York struggled through a forgettable 2015 campaign, missing the playoffs for the fourth straight season and then parting ways with two-time Super Bowl champion head coach Tom Coughlin. So the Giants now move forward with a new head coach, Ben McAdoo, a 35-year-old Eli Manning and last year's 32nd-ranked defense.
The good news for teams in the NFC East is that the division is expected to be pretty awful, so once again everybody has a shot at winning the title. Heck, the Cowboys were in the hunt for three-quarters of the season last year and they won only four games. If the defense can be just slightly better, the Giants should be in position to improve on their six wins.
New York Giants Regular Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Giants Over 8 Wins -115
Giants Under 8 Wins -105
The NFC East was a mess last season with the division not decided until the final week. The Redskins ended up taking the division with just nine wins, and this year each team is coming in thinking they can take the title. The New York Giants have a good chance to do that after spending big on free agent players.
The team used more than $100 million to sign Janoris Jenkins, Damon Harrison and Olivier Vernon to join the defense, and general manager Jerry Reese hopes that leads to the playoffs. They should be better. They need to be a lot better.
Vernon is being paid like a top-flight pass rusher but has to prove that he is. Jason Pierre-Paul has to show he can play better with his damaged hand than he did last season. Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo needs a line to make his D work at its best. On paper, he has that.
2016 New York Giants Schedule
Week 1: at Dallas Cowboys -4
Week 2: vs. New Orleans Saints +4.5
Week 3: vs. Washington Redskins +3
Week 4: at Minnesota Vikings -6
Week 5: at Green Bay Packers -8
Week 6: vs. Baltimore Ravens +3
Week 7: vs. Los Angeles Rams PK
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: vs. Philadelphia Eagles +3
Week 10: vs. Cincinnati Bengals -2
Week 11: vs. Chicago Bears +4
Week 12: at Cleveland Browns +3.5
Week 13: at Pittsburgh Steelers -7.5
Week 14: vs. Dallas Cowboys +1
Week 15: vs. Detroit Lions +3
Week 16: at Philadelphia Eagles -2.5
Week 17: at Washington Redskins
The Giants have started 0-2 in each of the past three seasons, and while they could start 0-2 again, they could go 0-5 in a worst-case scenario. New York starts the season on the road against the rival Cowboys, who will have a healthy roster – at least for the opener. After that, the Giants get the Saints and defending NFC East champ Redskins at home. The Vikings and Packers close out the opening stretch. Just a few years back, the Giants put up an 0-6 start that nobody thought was possible.
QUICK PICK
A lot of money was thrown at free agents to shore up a defense that finished last in the NFL in passing yards allowed and total yards allowed per game in 2015. Any way you slice it, the numbers were down right meek against opposing quarterbacks and the offense couldn’t keep up.
Manning will have Victor Cruz back in the lineup to throw at and, along with Odell Beckham Jr., should put up some impressive numbers if the Giants address the offensive line situation. They failed to do that in the draft and the spot could be a problem.
The Giants had a difficult time closing out games last season and whether or not they finish strong in 2016 can be the difference. How big of a difference? If each of the Giants’ games last season ended with 75 seconds remaining, they would have finished the season at 10-5 with a tie. Instead, they went 6-10.
Some of it can be attributed to defensive blunders, but the offense made costly mistakes in the red zone as well, something you wouldn’t expect with veteran quarterback Eli Manning running the show. On both sides of the ball, New York has to be more efficient, be in position and make the plays they need to make to close games out.
NFL Odds: New York Giants Under 8 Wins
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone or tablet with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today!
