How the New York Giants can win the NFC East

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 23: New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley (26) runs to the outside during the NFL game between the New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts on December 23, 2018, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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LANDOVER, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 09: Linebackers Lorenzo Carter #59 and Olivier Vernon #54 of the New York Giants sack quarterback Mark Sanchez #6 of the Washington Redskins in the first half at FedExField on December 09, 2018 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

1. Find a consistent pass rush

It’s been an area of concern for quite a few years. These days, the pass rush of the New York Giants has been less than potent and it’s enabled opposing quarterbacks to have their way more times than not in recent seasons. In 2014, the club finished with an impressive 47 quarterback traps. Since then, they’ve totaled 23, 35, 27 and 30 sacks, respectively, the past four seasons.

In 2018, oft-injured Olivier Vernon paced the club with seven QB traps, followed by defensive end B. J. Hill (5.5) and outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter (4). Those were the only three players on the team with more than two sacks. And of course, Vernon is now in Cleveland as part of a deal that enabled the Giants to obtain veteran right guard Kevin Zeitler.

General manager Dave Gettleman did add some help to the front seven in free agency in outside linebacker Markus Golden and defensive tackle Olsen Pierre. The former played for current defensive coordinator James Bettcher and put up big numbers in his 3-4 scheme. The club did use a third-round pick on Old Dominion edge rusher Oshane Ximines, who could make an impact on passing downs.

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Simply put, Bettcher must come up with some creative ways to put the heat on opposing quarterbacks. That starts with the other teams in the NFC East, where the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Redskins all feature quality offensive lines. But vast improvement in this area could add up to bigger things for the team.

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