Are you sitting down? Good because a member of the football media is saying something positive about the New York Giants, albeit with a tinge of negativity.
Sports Illustrated’s Connor Orr took a look at which NFL teams had the best chance to go from worst to first or a losing season to a winning season in 2019.
While not surprising to optimistic Giants fans, it was surprising to see someone actually have somewhat of a positive outlook on Big Blue’s upcoming season — but, of course, there was a catch.
Orr does cite the Giants’ improved offensive line and a huge season from Saquon Barkley helping to lead to better quarterback play as some of his reasons.
However, Orr believes that it’s a lack of divisional strength that “is a major factor here,” piled on top of the fact that the Giants have the sixth-weakest schedule in 2019.
I think divisional strength (or lack thereof) is a major factor here. While the Eagles will almost certainly be better—or at least more complete—than they were in 2018, the rest of the landscape is puzzling at best. Washington could start a rookie quarterback. Dallas may take a step back. After another offseason spent loading up on offensive line help, the Giants could theoretically control the line against almost all of their opponents. Saquon Barkley is primed for a phenomenal season, leading to the possibility of a higher-end, quarterback agnostic offense with Eli Manning and Daniel Jones behind center. While this isn’t a Super Bowl winning formula, it’s a formula that could help the Giants navigate the 27th-most difficult schedule in the NFL.
Close, but no cigar. The Giants almost got full credit for actually having some promise this season all on their own. Imagine that.
It just seems the Giants can’t escape negativity in the eyes of the national media these days no matter what. Of course, that’s nothing new to the G-Men and their fan base, who have grown accustomed to the negative opinions on a daily basis.
Should the Giants turn things around and shock the world, there won’t be enough crow to go around to feed to those who have thrown the entire roster in the dumpster and left it for dead before the season even starts.
Even then, those same people will still find a way to downplay it.
