New York Giants 2012: Can Eli Manning Lead Them to Back-to-Back Super Bowls?

The New York Giants are coming off of an impressive Super Bowl victory over the New England Patriots.

In a much-publicized interview before last season, Eli Manning commented that he belonged in the elite level of quarterbacks in the NFL with guys like Tom Brady and older brother Peyton Manning. Then he went out and did what few athletes do in that situation: he backed it up and won the whole thing.

The Giants came together at the right time last year, and we saw the results. Coach Tom Coughlin is seemingly always on the proverbial hot seat around Week 10. Will his second Super Bowl victory finally give him some job security? 

Probably not.

When you coach in New York, the past is irrelevant. He bought himself this season, but if the Giants regress, and miss the playoffs, he will be right back on the hot seat. Giants fans will always appreciate Coughlin for his two Super Bowls, but they will sweep him out the door if the wins stop. So goes life as a head coach in the Big Apple.

Eli seemed to find a groove last season, but he will be missing some key pieces in 2012. Most notably, Super Bowl hero wide receiver Mario Manningham signed with San Francisco. Running back Brandon Jacobs parted ways with New York after the two sides couldn't come to an agreement on his contract.

The Giants defense lost cornerback Aaron Ross, who signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ross was steady, but far from a star. They will have to sign another defensive back in free agency, or draft one in April. 

However, the offense still has stars. Wide receiver Victor Cruz had a break-out year in 2011, and there's no reason to think he can't improve in 2012. Wide receiver Hakeem Nicks seems poised to go crazy in 2012. He was Eli's go-to guy, and made some spectacular catches. Look for Nicks to be right behind Megatron and Andre Johnson as this season's most dominant receiver.

As if playing in the NFC East isn't tough enough, the Giants' 2012 schedule is not easy. They only face three teams outside their division that missed the playoffs last year. The Eagles and Cowboys should both be much better, and Washington is always a question mark. 

The year 2012 will be an up-hill battle for New York. The last time a Super Bowl winner repeated the following season was the 2004 New England Patriots. That's not to say they can't do it, but right now the pieces don't appear to be there. Never underestimate Coughlin though. He and Eli have been beating the odds their whole lives.