NFL playoffs: How your team can make it
31. . NFC. East. New York Giants. 3. player
After winning the Super Bowl in 2011, the New York Giants have gone into competitive hibernation. The Giants have failed to make the playoffs in each of the past three seasons, leading to questions about head coach Tom Coughlin and the long-term viability of quarterback Eli Manning. In 2015, the Giants can turn that around with a few bounces of luck.
While the offseason pectoral injury to left tackle Will Beatty stings, the Giants might be able to handle it after drafting offensive tackle Ereck Flowers with the 10th-overall pick in the NFL Draft. With Flowers, New York has a pair of first-round selections in Flowers and third-year man Justin Pugh on the left side. Veteran Geoff Schwartz is hoping to return and stay healthy at right guard after dealing with a foot injury throughout 2014. If the line is solid, the offense will be potent.
Few receivers are as electrifying as Odell Beckham Jr., who had an astonishing 1,305 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns while dealing with a hamstring injury. Alongside Beckham are Victor Cruz and Rueben Randle with Rashad Jennings and Shane Vereen in the backfield. Few teams can match the offensive talent at the skill positions put together by general manager Jerry Reese.
The defense is questionable but should be bolstered in the secondary by second-round pick, safety Landon Collins. With Collins and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the backfield, along with Cullen Jenkins and sack-master Jason Pierre-Paul on the line, the Giants have the potential to be average. With a top-10 offense, a middling defense can get them into the playoffs and perhaps through a round.
Next: Washington Redskins