New York Giants 2017 Season Simulation; Playoff Bound
The New York Giants could have a tough start to the season depending on Odell Beckham Jr.’s ankle, but for the first time in years, the Giants are finally entering the season with a healthy secondary. Barring any serious injuries throughout the season, the Giants should be able to make a good push into the season as they battle for a playoff spot.
Week 1 (9/10) @ Dallas Cowboys
As the Giants try to build a reliable receiving corps, their star wide out, Odell Beckham Jr., is battling an ankle sprain. Due to their inconsistent offense, they might not be able to put up enough points to beat out the defending NFC East champs.
Result: Loss 17-10
Week 2 (9/18) vs Detroit Lions
Detroit has many issues and the Giants will look to capitalize on that right out of the gate, especially with an opening day loss against Dallas. With an average receiving corps, the Giants secondary should have no problem stopping Matthew Stafford from finding the end zone.
Result: Win 21-9
Week 3 (9/24) @ Philadelphia Eagles
With Carson Wentz entering his second season without his #1 target, the Eagles will face a daunting task against the Giants D. In addition to chemistry issues, the Giants will be able to take away any run game the Eagles try to capitalize on. It will be a long day for the sophomore quarterback as they look to regain some of their magic from last season.
Result: Win 24-14
Week 4 (10/1) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay has gone through a lot of necessary and successful changes throughout the past few years. Although the value of adding DeSean Jackson has yet to be determined, they will have two star receivers and a good running game. Defense has hurt the Giants in recent years due to injuries and fourth quarter melt downs, but even a healthy Giants team will have a hard time keeping up with all of Tampa’s offensive weapons. This sadly should be a loss for the Giants.
Result: Loss 31-14
Week 5 (10/8) vs LA Chargers
History has shown that when facing the Chargers, Eli Manning has never beaten them, even with a stellar stat sheet. I think history will repeat itself and the Giants will find a way to lose another one.
Result: Loss 14-7
Week 6 (10/15) @ Denver Broncos
Looking to avoid three straight losses, the Giants will face a Broncos team with quarterback issues and should be able to stymie their offense to secure a win. Although this will be a battle of the defenses, I think the Broncos offense has more question marks than the Giants.
Result: Win 20-10
Week 7 (10/22) vs Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks aren’t what they’ve become known for and are trying to rebuild their identity along with a solid running game. While they try to work out their issues, the Giants know who they are and should win this game especially since the Seahawks won’t be able to enjoy the comfort of their home crowd.
Result: Win 17-14
Week 8 – Bye
Week 9 (11/5) vs LA Rams
Just as Eli has never beaten the Chargers, he has never lost to the Rams. By coming off a bye week, teams can start off sluggish and wind up losing this game, but I think the Rams combination of a rookie head coach and multiple changes to player personnel, will benefit the Giants. Instead of playing a team that is used to one another, the Rams will still be finding its way, and the Giants will be rested to battle again after playing a tough Seahawks team.
Result: Win 21-10
Week 10 (11/12) @ San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers have been a mess the past few years, and although they’ve made yet another coaching change, the product on the field hasn’t improved much. With a journeyman quarterback and a poor receiving corps, the Giants defense should feast on takeaways and help their offense score. This should be the easiest win of the season for New York.
Result: Win 28-14
Week 11 (11/19) vs Kansas City Chiefs
With a solid defense, but a lack of an offense, this should be a fairly easy win for the Giants on both sides of the ball. Kansas City’s biggest advantage is their defense, but even their defense doesn’t have anyone that can stop Odell, and with the loss of their running back, this definitely won’t be easy for the Chiefs.
Result: Win 24-9
Week 12 (11/23) @ Washington Redskins
Coming off two easy wins, expect the Giants to play down to their competition. With a streaky Washington offense, at home, I expect them to take advantage and steal the win away from New York. Coming down to the wire, the Giants look to build on their 3-win high, but it won’t be enough to catch up to Washington.
Result: Loss 21-19
Week 13 (12/3) @ Oakland Raiders
A young Raiders team on the rise, with a great offensive line and a beast in Marshawn Lynch pounding the ball, the Giants won’t be able to stop both the run game and the passing downfield. Marshawn saw tremendous success against the Giants when he played for Seattle, and even though the Giants have made changes to their D-line, Marshawn behind Oakland’s O-line is just too good.
Result: Loss 31-28
Week 14 (12/10) vs Dallas Cowboys
Looking to avoid a sweep and with a healthy Odell, the Giants should be able to split the series with a win. All last season, the Giants held Ezekiel Elliott in check and he was only able to collect a 50 and 100-yard game; I expect more of the same towards the end of the season when they’re competing for playoff positioning.
Result: Win 24-21
Week 15 (12/17) vs Philadelphia Eagles
Much like their first matchup, Philly’s offense will let them down and though the defense will try to play spoiler in the Giants playoff chances, they will fall short and the Giants will come away with the win.
Result: Win 19-14
Week 16 (12/24) @ Arizona Cardinals
Last season, the Cardinals offense relied heavily on David Johnson as Carson Palmer failed to connect with his receivers albeit Larry Fitzgerald, throwing a completion percentage of 61%. The Giants run defense is strong and though I expect D. Johnson to still have a good game, I don’t think he’ll be enough. The Cardinals offense relates to Dallas in the way that their running back is their workhorse and the offense runs through him. The two times the Giants played Dallas they were able to hold the running game in check and get the win, so I expect the same game plan and with Palmer coming off a forgettable season, the secondary will be ready to pounce.
Result: Win 24-21
Week 17 (12/31) vs Washington Redskins
Looking to make a strong push into the playoffs and to avenge their earlier loss, look for the Giants to come out swinging and prove their earlier loss was a fluke. The matchup between Beckham Jr. and Josh Norman should be fun, given the implications it will have on the Giants playoff chances, and I expect Odell to make it a memorable one.
Result: Win 20-13
2017 Season Results: 11-5
The Giants should make the playoffs for a second straight season and with one playoff game under Odell’s belt, I expect them to capitalize on it. An Eli Manning Giants team has always been one to watch out for once they enter the playoffs. The difference between last season’s team and his previous playoff bound teams is a difference in the head coach.
They’ve all been able to learn from last season’s loss and will make necessary adjustments to make sure a quick exit doesn’t happen again. This is a defining moment for the Giants, with Beckham’s extension talks coming up, they’re going to want to do everything they can to go as far as possible now. It’s time to win.