The New York Giants are going into the 2016 season with high expectations after signing three major players in free agency. The team spent more than $100 million and general manager Jerry Reese hopes that translates into a playoff appearance this season.
The Giants finished with a losing record of 6-10 last year, but the team was not that far away from competing for the division. The team was in the mix for most of the season before fading out at the end, and that should give the Giants some hope that they can bounce back quickly. The defense was the biggest issue in 2015, and Reese did all he could to improve that unit this year.
Reese doled out major money to Olivier Vernon, Janoris Jenkins and Damon Harrison this offseason and that should be a huge boost for the Giants. Reese also kept Jason Pierre-Paul, and that move gives the team even more depth on the defensive line, which was a major weak point last year.
Eli Manning has found comfort in Ben McAdoo's offensive system and he should only get better in year three. McAdoo is taking over for Tom Coughlin this season, and he could make every Giant fan a believer in him if he can lead the team to the playoffs. All of that should put the Giants in position to make the postseason.
Here are three reasons why the Giants should win the NFC East this year:
1. THE DEFENSE: The Giants defense should be much improved after ranking No. 32 in the NFL last season.
As mentioned above, adding Vernon, Jenkins and Harrison should be enough to at least marginally improve the Giants' defense. That is a low expectation, but after finishing dead last in the NFL in overall defense last season, the Giants can only go up from here. All three players were overpaid, but with the salary cap rising and the space the Giants had to use, the money had to go somewhere. Vernon is young and is emerging as a star, while Jenkins is a great playmaker at the cornerback position. Adding a healthy Pierre-Paul to the mix should put the Giants at least in the middle of the pack this season when it comes to defensive rankings.
2. THE DIVISION: The competition is weak in the NFC East with the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles.
Last season, the Redskins won the division with a 9-7 record, while the rest of the NFC East all had losing records. The Giants, Eagles and Cowboys all made moves this offseason to get better, but no one is far and away better than New York. The Cowboys will be improved with Tony Romo and Dez Bryant healthy, but there are other issues on the roster. The Eagles have a new head coach to learn in Doug Pederson, while the Redskins have no idea if Kirk Cousins can get things done two years in a row. With Eli Manning under center and an improved defense, the Giants should be able to win out over the competition in the NFC East.
3. CRUUUUUUUUZ: The return of Victor Cruz can give the offense depth.
The Giants and Cruz agreed to a new contract this offseason after the receiver dealt with injuries over the past two years. If Cruz can return to the lineup healthy (or even semi-healthy), the Giants should be in a good position to make the playoffs this year. Odell Beckham has been doing things, basically, alone for two years, and he has been able to put up some amazing numbers. If Cruz can contribute at least a little bit, the Giants offense should be very productive.
