Thanks to key free agent signings and a talented draft class, the New York Giants are poised to break three disastrous streaks this season.
There are many reasons to be optimistic about the New York Giants in 2018.
For one, they employ a revamped offensive line that includes Nate Solder and rookie Will Hernandez. They have an offensive guru as head coach in Pat Shurmur who has a history of maximizing his players’ potential. Their draft class has received high praise from NFL people and media members alike while many feel they took the best player in the draft in Saquon Barkley.
Best of all for the Giants, they’re getting their best player back in Odell Beckham Jr., who played just four games last season.
We know that games are won on the field and not on paper, but based on the Giants roster, they should be able to put an end to three dubious streaks.
Here are the three dubious streaks the Giants will put an end to in 2018.
3. No 30-point game since the 2015 finale
It seems unfathomable that a team with Eli Manning and Odell Beckham haven’t scored 30 points in two seasons especially with rules favoring the offense. But that is the case with the New York Giants.
You have to go back to Jan. 3, 2016, the season finale of the 2015 season when they were defeated by the Philadelphia Eagles, 35-30.
That would turn out to be Tom Coughlin’s last game as head coach. Ironically, the 2018 Giants will have their first chance to break their streak of 33 games without scoring 30 points (including their wildcard loss to the Packers in January of 2017) when they face Coughlin’s new team the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1.
Whether it’s Week 1 or later in the season, the Giants offense will certainly put up 30 points this season and will likely do it a few times.
2. No 1,000-yard rusher since 2012
Smashmouth football used to be a trademark for the Giants offense going back to the days when Bill Parcells was roaming the sidelines. But the Giants rushing attack has been putrid over the last few seasons, ranking near the bottom of the league in rushing offense.
In fact, you have to go back to 2012 when Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 1,015 yards to find the last Giant to rush for 1,000 yards.
Shurmur is committed to running the ball as when he was the Vikings offensive coordinator last season, they ran the ball 501 times, which was second most in the NFL.
Saquon Barkley has the potential to be the best running back in the modern era for the New York Giants, and barring injury he’ll eclipse the 1,000-yard threshold this season.
3. No rushing touchdown in Philadelphia since 2009
For whatever reason, the Giants always struggle when they travel to Philadelphia to play the Eagles. They’ve lost their last four games in Philadelphia and since 2009, their record in Philadelphia is 2-7.
When Ahmad Bradshaw scored on a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter of the Giants 40-17 Week 8 loss to the Eagles in 2009, that was the last time the Giants had a rushing touchdown against the Eagles in Philadelphia.
This season, the Giants will travel to Philadelphia on Nov. 25. Whether it’s Saquon Barkley or another running back, with a powerful offensive line leading the way, a Giants running back will find the end zone.
