Fansided

5 reasons the New York Giants reach playoffs in 2018

By Baasil Ebrahim

TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 01: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the New York Giants looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs defeated the Giants 25-23. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL - OCTOBER 01: Odell Beckham Jr. #13 of the New York Giants looks on during a game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on October 1, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. The Bucs defeated the Giants 25-23. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 5
Next
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 09: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants watlks by during warm ups before their preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on August 9,2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – AUGUST 09: Odell Beckham #13 of the New York Giants watlks by during warm ups before their preseason game against the Cleveland Browns on August 9,2018 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

1. Odell Beckham Jr.

Odell Beckham Jr. is by far the most dynamic and polarizing player on the Giants roster. In fact, he is one of the best players in all of football. He is an amazing wide receiver, beyond the one hand catches, his fight with Josh Norman, and an interesting love story with the kicking net.

Last year, Odell was hurt and missed all but four games, which is the only reason that he was unable to put up the incredible numbers that he has sustained throughout his career. In each of his first three seasons he had 90+ receptions and 1,300+ yards.

Looking at the last three games he played last year, he averaged 88.67 yards, seven receptions, and one touchdown per game. Should he have sustained that level of play for the last 11 games of the season he would have had a stat line of 1,277.33 yards, 102 receptions, and 14 touchdowns. His yard total would likely be higher as well because in that first game he started, he didn’t catch a ball for more than 14 yards.

It is numbers like this that inspire confidence in Beckham. A lot of confidence came from Nate Burleson whose bold prediction on NFL Network was that Beckham would win the receiving triple crown. That is leading the league in receiving yards, touchdowns, and receptions.

Next: Best NFL player from each state

Thus far, Odell hasn’t done anything in his career to show people that he can’t make that happen. Per Player Profiler, in the games he played last year, he had the second highest hog rate, at 19.8%, which will get him the receptions he needs. On top of that, he led the league in end zone target share which will help him to get the touchdowns he needs. Lastly, in 2016 (he didn’t play enough to qualify in 2017), Odell was fourth in the NFL in target air yard percentage, receiving 39.16% of the Giants air yards.

All the metrics point towards Beckham being able to do what Burleson said. In the process, he would be putting the Giants team on his back and carrying them towards the postseason. Do not be shocked if Odell leads the Giants to the playoffs this year.

Home/New York Giants