For the first time since November 2015, the New York Giants are in sole possession of the NFC East division lead, as they’re 3-1 despite injury troubles that have already seen quarterback Jaxson Dart and star defensive end Brian Burns ruled out for the season. New York’s wins haven’t been pretty, and it certainly hasn’t faced the most difficult schedule, but this team has made a habit of winning ugly.
The Giants’ offense has been somewhat inconsistent with Jameis Winston under center, as roller-coaster highs and lows have been a hallmark of Winston’s career, but their defense has shown some flashes, icing Week 4’s game against the Arizona Cardinals with a 98-yard pick-six as time expired.
Results and Usage
New York’s defensive production has varied from week-to-week, as while it has allowed 20 or more points in three of its four games, the first two came against the Dallas Cowboys and the Los Angeles Rams, two of the most high-powered offenses in the league. The Giants also had a stellar performance in Week 3, limiting the Tennessee Titans to just seven points and 262 total yards of offense, although the rain certainly influenced that result.
New York has produced plenty of highlight plays, allowing it to produce solid fantasy value. Although the Giants have totaled a league-low three sacks and certainly aren’t guaranteed to improve with Burns, who ranked second in sacks last season, now out for the campaign, they lead the league with six interceptions. New York ranks ninth by Pro Football Focus’ overall defense grades and eighth by coverage grades. It’s been very solid on special teams as well, forcing the worst starting positions in the league and incentivizing opponents to play aggressively in order to avoid safeties.
Future Outlook
The Giants’ schedule will eventually get more difficult, but there are plenty of reasons to believe that their strong form is sustainable. Abdul Carter, who ranks 10th among 110 qualified edge defenders, is just 23 years old, and rookie Arvell Reese, who just turned 21 five weeks ago, leads the league in solo tackles while posting the seventh-best PFF grades among 74 qualified linebackers. There’s no reason Reese and Carter can’t get even better, and New York’s decision to bring in an accomplished veteran anchor in Tremaine Edmunds to play middle linebacker and mentor the young pair has already paid dividends.
The Giants certainly shouldn’t have any issue against the Washington Commanders in Week 5 if Jayden Daniels, who dislocated his elbow in Week 2, isn’t ready to play. Washington lost quarterback Marcus Mariota in the first quarter of its 30-13 loss to the Indianapolis Colts in London to an MCL sprain, forcing seventh-round rookie Athan Kaliakmanis into action. Kaliakmanis had his moments, including a beautiful deep ball to Treylon Burks for a score, but he completed just 45.5% of his passes and ranks third-to-last among all qualifying quarterbacks in completion percentage over expectation. Kaliakmanis also wasn’t exactly a stellar prospect coming out of college, as he was largely seen as a fringe roster candidate.
Although New York’s inability to get pressure will be a problem down the line, the Colts don’t naturally get pressure much either, and Kaliakmanis still struggled. In Week 4, he invited pressure by holding onto the ball too long, and he posted below-average offensive grades even when kept clean. The Rutgers product also registered two turnover-worthy plays while under duress, and the ball-hawking Giants should be poised to take advantage. Given how ineffective the Commanders’ run game has been this season, New York should have no trouble stopping Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Kaytron Allen, and Austin Ekeler. Unable to establish a ground threat, Washington would be forced to turn to its aerial attack, allowing the Giants to pounce on an inexperienced Kaliakmanis.
