New York Giants: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2011 Season

The New York Giants finished 10-6 last season but failed to make the playoffs for the second year in a row.

With the same team returning and Tom Coughlin being given another chance, the Giants are looking to make a run for the NFC East crown.

With the lockout still in effect, nobody knows what the 2011 NFL season has in store. That doesn't stop us from making predictions.

Here are five bold predictions for your 2011 New York Giants season.

Eli Manning Will Throw for the Most Yards in Giants History

Al Bello/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants in action against the Philadelphia Eagles 38-31 on December 19, 2010 at The New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Why is it bold?

The Giants record for passing yards is held by Kerry Collins with 4,073. Manning has only thrown over 4,000 yards just two times in his seven-year career.


Why will it happen?

Eli Manning has over 500 pass attempts five times in his career, including the last two years in a row. He has one of the deepest wide receiver cores with Hakeem Nicks, Mario Manningham, Derek Hagan and tight end Kevin Boss.

Eli Manning was able to throw for 4,002 yards last season with those receivers but will have another one coming back from injury. His name is Steve Smith. Smith missed half the season due to injury but is in rehab and shouldn't miss much time once the season starts.

If Manning was able to put up those numbers without a receiver who had 1,200 yards in 2009, imagine what he'll be able to do with him.

Steve Smith Has a Bounce Back Season with At Least 1,000 Receiving Yards

Nick Laham/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 27: Steve Smith #12 of the New York Giants runs against the Carolina Panthers at Giants Stadium on December 27, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Why is it bold?

Smith is coming off of microfractrue surgery and is still in rehab. He may miss a couple games. He also only has one season where he has gone over 1,000 receiving yards in his four-year career. Every other season, he hasn't even reached 600 yards.


Why will it happen?

A lot of the same reasons I mentioned in the first slide. Eli Manning throws the ball a lot, so the opportunities are there. He is also on a team stacked with wide receivers, so there is a lot of man-to-man coverage.

Steve Smith is a very talented receiver, and barring any major setback on his rehab, he shouldn't miss much time and help contribute to the Giants passing game.

Brandon Jacobs Will Have At Least 12 Touchdowns

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LANDOVER, MD - JANUARY 02: Brandon Jacobs #27 of the New York Giants celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Washington Redskins during their game at FedEx Field on January 2, 2011 in Landover, Maryland. The Giants won the game 17-14. (Photo by

Why is it bold?

In his six-year career, Jacobs has only had one season where he has had double-digit total touchdowns. Ahmad Bradshaw also had the bulk of the carries last season, limiting Jacobs opportunities.


Why will it happen?

Even though Jacobs only touched the ball 147 times last season, he still had nine rushing touchdowns. That's 77 less carries than 2009 but four more touchdowns.

Jacobs may also get a bigger workload this season, because Bradshaw could be on his way out. The possibility of him staying in New York is likely, but he did hire Drew Rosenhaus as his agent. Anytime that happens, the athlete usually goes where the most money is. 

It's proven that Jacobs doesn't need a lot of touches to be effective. A few more than he got in 2010 and he should get double-digit touchdowns.

Giants Will Have the Top-Ranked Defense in the League

Bob Levey/Getty Images

HOUSTON - OCTOBER 10: Quarterback Matt Schaub #8 of the Houston Texans is hit by defensive tackle Chris Canty #99 of the New York Giants at Reliant Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

Why is it bold?

With defenses like the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, etc., that's quite a tall task.


Why will it happen?

The New York Giants finished ninth in opposing passing yards and eighth in opposing rushing yards, good for seventh in the league.

A majority of the defense is coming back, including the defensive line that had, a ridiculous, 46 sacks last season. The secondary is solid and added even more depth in the draft, with cornerback Prince Amukamara who was the Big 12 defensive player of the year.

Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell was able to make miracles happen with Buffalo, so imagine what he'll be able to do with another year of talented players on the Giants. 

New York Giants Win Both Games Against the Philadelphia Eagles

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 19: Justin Tuck #91 of the New York Giants sacks Michael Vick #7 of the Philadelphia Eagles at New Meadowlands Stadium on December 19, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Why is it bold?

The last time the Giants have even won a game against the Eagles was November 9, 2008. That's six straight losses against them.


Why will it happen?

The Giants could have easily won both games against the Eagles last year. In the first game, Eli Manning threw the game away with three interceptions. In the second game, they gave up 28 points in the fourth quarter to lose one of the worst games in franchise history.

Defensive coordinator Perry Fewell did the best job of anyone last season at containing Michael Vick. With a whole offseason, and another year to work with his defense, you can expect an even better effort.

The offense has more than enough talent to match the Eagles score-for-score.

Of course there is a revenge factor as well. The Giants, I'm sure, have had several nightmares of December 19, 2010 and are going to want to get the bad taste out of there mouth.

Expect the Giants to take care of business twice against the hated rival.