Fansided

One thing every NFL team can be thankful for in 2016

By John Buhler

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) and center Travis Frederick (72) celebrate with running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) after he scored a touchdown in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) and center Travis Frederick (72) celebrate with running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) after he scored a touchdown in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 12, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo takes with New York Giants middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley (53) in the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 12, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo takes with New York Giants middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley (53) in the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Giants: Steve Spagnuolo is doing a great job with the defense

The New York Giants are 7-3? The New York Giants are 7-3! How are they doing this? While the Giants have arguably the best receiving corps in the NFL, their running game is atrocious and quarterback Eli Manning is as consistently inconsistent as he ever was.

If there is any logical reason behind the Giants’ 7-3 start, it isn’t Ben McAdoo’s massive play sheet on offense. Let’s give credit where it is due: Steve Spanuolo is doing an outstanding job as the Giants defensive coordinator.

New York spent a ton of cash in improving its lackluster defense from a year ago. Spagnuolo is coaching it up and is getting major contributions from all areas of its defense. Landon Collins is becoming a star in the secondary and Jason Pierre-Paul is as good as he ever was in the pass rush, minus a couple of digits.

The Giants play in a tough NFC East. Though their 7-3 start may be a bit flukey, the Giants’ improving defense looks to be legit. If New York get into the NFC Playoffs at 10-6, would it be all that shocking to see them get to Super Bowl LI? We’ve middling regular season teams in New York win Super Bowls before. Why couldn’t we see a solid 2016 defense bring a fifth Lombardi Trophy to East Rutherford?

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