New York Giants' Power Ranking Roundup Heading into Week 5
Oh, the disparity!
It's amazing how much of a difference only a couple of weeks can make, especially early in the season, when it comes to NFL power rankings. We're now heading into Week 5 of the 2014 season, and some of the contenders are beginning to pull away from the pretenders.
Several teams—the New York Giants being one of them—look nothing like the squads they were only two weeks ago.
This article will round up the most recent power rankings from five major sources around the Web: Bleacher Report, ESPN, NFL.com, Fox Sports and CBSSports.com. We'll also take a look at where these five sources ranked the Giants heading into Week 3, when the team was 0-2.
Wait until you see the difference.
Bleacher Report
1 of 5
Today: 24
Two weeks ago: 27
Difference: +3
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller is reluctant to jump on the Giants bandwagon.
Even when the Giants were at their worst, Miller kept a five-team buffer between them and rock bottom.
The Giants have room and potential for improvement, in Miller's eyes: "If the defense can make plays in the secondary and move enough pieces around to get a pass rush going, they could make a surprise run up the rankings."
Miller has a great point. Too much of the focus has been on the success of the Giants offense and not enough has been on the turnover-causing defense.
In the first two games of the season, the Giants did not create a takeaway and did not win a game. In the last two, New York has not lost and has caused nine turnovers.
The defensive line is creating pressure and rushing plays up front, while the secondary is finishing them off on the back end.
I think Miller has pinpointed the secret to New York's recent success.
ESPN
2 of 5
Today: 19
Two weeks ago: 30
Difference: +11
ESPN is beginning to warm up to the Giants, after ranking just two teams below them two weeks ago. In the outlet's latest power ranking, Big Blue cracked the top 20.
Here's the two-sentence Giants' blurb upon which ESPN's "power panel" of 80 writers, editors and television personalities came to agree: "Eli Manning was 10-of-11 targeting tight ends Thursday, including 7-of-8 for 54 yards and three touchdowns targeting Larry Donnell. Don't look now, but Ben McAdoo's offense is starting to click."
McAdoo has a swell-looking offensive direction for the Giants, and the average NFL fan hadn't caught on until this past week in prime time. For Big Blue faithful, this is the offense you were reading about all summer.
Shorter routes, quicker throws, less complication.
Fewer sacks, power running, more domination.
Manning's completion percentage rose from 54.5 in Week 1 to 66.7 in Week 2 to 75.0 in Week 3. After completing 71.8 percent of his passes in Week 4, Manning's season-long rate now stands at 66.9.
That's not far from the 70 percent goal quarterbacks coach Danny Langsdorf set for Manning in late July.
NFL.com
3 of 5
Today: 13
Two weeks ago: 30
Difference: +17
Behold, the biggest leap!
Elliot Harrison of NFL.com has completely changed his mind on the Giants. Two weeks ago, Harrison had them ranked 30th in the league; now they're flirting with his top 10.
Harrison, like many others who play fantasy football, is enamored with the Giants' breakout tight end:
"Dude, what else can you say about that performance Thursday night? Speaking of, I said on 'NFL Fantasy Live' prior to that game last week that no one would know who Larry Donnell is if it weren't for fantasy football. Well, you catch three touchdown passes in front of a prime-time audience—on the road, no less—and everybody is going to figure out who you are right quick.
"
It's true: Donnell is the NFL's new matchup nightmare.
Donnell has a 6'6", 265-pound frame, and every ounce of it came together against the Redskins. Three times, he leapt over Washington's linebackers and defensive backs for touchdowns.
This explosion was sudden but not without foreshadowing signs. In Week 1, against the Lions, Eli Manning chucked it up for Donnell a couple of times in the end zone, and the second time he came down with it for a one-yard score.
At the time, it was head-scratching. I suppose that worked well, but why not just hand off to the brand-spankin' new goal-line back, Andre Williams?
After Week 4, no one is thinking that any more. Donnell is the new ticket to six when New York is knocking.
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Fox Sports
4 of 5
Today: 15
Two weeks ago: 28
Difference: +13
The Giants are gaining respect in the power ranking done by Fox Sports, too. In two weeks' time, New York has leapt nearly half the league to spot No. 15.
Here's the sports news outlet's rundown on the state of the Giants:
"Eli Manning was locked in for a second straight week and it’s safe to say that he’s getting accustomed to Ben McAdoo’s quick-hitting offensive scheme. The offensive line has performed as one of the best units in football after a terrible Week 1. On defense, newcomer Robert Ayers is helping to generate a pass rush that has led to key turnovers over the last two weeks.
"
This only mentions Robert Ayers, but think about how many surprise standouts the Giants have fielded so far this season.
There's tight end Larry Donnell, who's leading the team in receptions, targets and touchdowns. Oh, and Daniel Fells, the No. 2 tight end, who has caught a touchdown pass in each of the past three games.
How about Weston Richburg? The second-rounder was drafted to play center. Early on, we thought he'd sit behind starter J.D. Walton for most of his rookie season. Instead, he's starting—and standing out—at left guard.
Several players have stepped up on the defensive side of the ball, in addition to Ayers. Look at Jameel McClain and how well he has filled in for an injured Jon Beason at middle linebacker. Trumaine McBride's performance in the slot has turned Walter Thurmond III's season-ending injury into old news. And don't forget about Quintin Demps, who snagged an interception at safety after Stevie Brown was benched in Week 4.
A good team is one that is at least two viable men deep at every position.
CBSSports.com
5 of 5
Today: 16
Two weeks ago: 28
Difference: +12
Two wins have won over Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com. In his latest power ranking, New York has climbed to the middle of the pack, settling at No. 16.
Prisco pointed out probably the biggest difference in today's Giants from the team of two weeks ago: "They've righted things the past two weeks as Eli Manning and the offense have come alive. The line is really playing well."
Go figure. A good offensive line makes all the difference. Ben McAdoo's play-calling has him looking like a mastermind, but, honestly, anything he calls should work behind the Giants' current blocking.
Manning has had ample time in the pocket. He has only been sacked twice in the past two games, and the reduced pressure has markedly improved his decision-making and efficiency.
Just as good as the pass blocking has been the run blocking.
Against the Texans in Week 3, the Giants offensive line steamrolled J.J. Watt's defensive front to the tune of nearly 200 rushing yards. Although the game plan called for less handoffs in Week 4, New York still averaged more than four yards per carry against the Redskins.
More important than yardage is scoring points. New York scored only 28 points in the first two games combined. The coagulation of the Giants O-line, though, has led to 75 points over the last two weeks.
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