Can any of the 0-2 NFL teams save their 2018 season?
By Ian Wharton
2. New York Giants: Certainly possible
The NFC East has a tendency to cannibalize itself at times, and that’s looking like it may happen again this year. Three teams sit at 1-1 while the Giants are 0-2. It’s not panic time yet for Pat Shurmer but they can’t waste any more time. Their upcoming schedule has six-straight NFC East and NFC South teams, so competition will be high.
Unsurprisingly, the big storyline for the team has been the offensive line play. It’s been abysmal, and even when it’s stepped up, quarterback Eli Manning just looks old. The offense missed several big-play opportunities against the Jaguars in Week 1, and Week 2 was more of the checkdown, non-threatening offense that was seen under the previous coaching staff.
Rookie running back Saquon Barkley has been impressive as he continues to create yards after contact. But their decision to draft him cost them a chance to really bolster this line with Quenton Nelson, and that’s hurting their overall unit. A running back doesn’t suddenly make a bad line better, whereas a good line will prop up a mediocre back.
The Giants have a chance, though. They have playmakers on both sides of the ball in Odell Beckham, Janoris Jenkins, Landon Collins, Olivier Vernon, Evan Engram, and Barkley. The defense has been good-enough to win both games thus far. If they can continue to keep opponents around 20 points, the honus is on Shurmer and Manning to manufacture three touchdowns a game.
That’s not an unrealistic achievement in an era that has made it easier to be efficient on offense. This veteran-laden roster needs to step up and challenge for the divisional crown.