New York Giants Predictions: 5 Bold Predictions for the 2011 Season

The New York Giants are one of the more talented teams in the NFC. However, they face an alarming number of questions. Eli Manning considers himself an elite quarterback, but he can’t stop throwing interceptions. The secondary is depleted, and the team has its youngest core in years.

Not much is known about the 2011 Giants, here are some bold predictions to hold you over until they get their season started on September 11^th.

5. Brandon Jacobs Will Rush for More Yards Than Ahmad Bradshaw

He took a pay cut to keep Ahmad Bradshaw around, but Brandon Jacobs will be the better back in 2011. Last season, he averaged 5.6 yards a carry and he’s looked excellent so far in preseason action.

Bradshaw is finally paid so it will be interesting to see if he’s as motivated as he was last year. He had seven fumbles in 2010, as the Giant’s led the league in turnovers. If he’s putting the ball on the ground early in the season, Tom Coughlin won’t hesitate to reduce his role.

Both backs will get their carries, and I don’t doubt the fact that Bradshaw will find success. I just don’t see Coughlin featuring a running back that’s turning the ball over.

If Jacobs can steal 40 carries, he could finish with over 1,000 yards. If Bradshaw loses 40 he could find himself just below the century mark.

4. Hakeem Nicks Will Lead the NFC in TD Receptions

This prediction isn’t as bold as you might initially think. Last season, Hakeem Nicks finished tied for the third most receiving TDs behind only Calvin Johnson and Greg Jennings.

Johnson will undoubtedly improve with a healthy Matt Stafford, but the Lions will spread the ball a lot more. Tight end Brandon Pettigrew is emerging as one of the league’s better tight ends and could easily accumulate 10 scores in 2011. A healthy Burleson and a deeper, more improved Detroit rushing attack could also take some TDs away from Calvin.

Greg Jennings will definitely see his 12 TDs decrease with the return of tight end and red zone favorite Jermichael Finley.  Before Finley lost his season on an injury last season, Jennings averaged six targets a game. After, Jennings averaged 8.2 per game. Young receivers like James Jones and Jordy Nelson are also developing into more reliable targets. There’s no way Jennings leads the league in 2011.

After losing Kevin Boss and Steve Smith during the offseason, Nicks will be Eli Manning’s go-to guy. The emergence of Mario Manningham will likely help Nicks’ TD production more than it will hurt it, as opponents will need to be extra cautious about double-teaming Nicks. Manningham will be the deep threat, but Nicks provides a much bigger target in the red zone.

3. The Giants Will Lead the NFL in Sacks

In dealing with a depleted secondary, the Giants only hope on defense will come from a super aggressive pass rush. The Giants will need to keep pressure on opposing quarterbacks in order to make life easier on their inexperienced corners.

The combination of Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul will have no trouble getting sacks on their own. Last season, Tuck had 12 and Pierre-Paul had 4.5 in extremely limited action. Pierre-Paul has been a beast this preseason. He’s getting to the quarterback and has had no trouble penetrating opposing offensive lines.

Once Osi Umenyiora returns, all three of the Giant’s pass rushing ends will be able to rotate and keep fresh legs through four quarters. This depth, combined with the fact that the line backing core might be asked to blitz more frequently, will mean lots of sacks in 2011.

2. The Giants Will Win Their First Seven Games

If you look at the Giant’s schedule over their first seven weeks, there is only one game in which handicappers will pin them as an underdog. This game will come in Week 3 at Philadelphia against Michael Vick and the “Dream Team” Eagles.

The Giants always play the Eagles tight and I don’t see this matchup playing out any differently. The self-proclaimed “Dream Team” has looked mediocre through three preseason games. Opposing defenses seemed to be figuring the Eagles out towards the end of last season. If the Giants show up to play and take care of the ball, their game in Philadelphia becomes a coin flip.

The only other tough games through the first seven weeks come at home against Philadelphia and on the road against the Cardinals. The Rams game will be tough but the Giant’s will be fired up for their first home game of the season, it will take place on Monday night in front of a national audience.

The Cardinals improve adding Kevin Kolb in the offseason, but they have a long way to go.

1. The Giants Will Finish the Season 10-6 and Miss the Playoffs

The Giants second half schedule is one of the toughest in the NFL. They have road games against New England, Dallas, New Orleans, and the Jets. They also have to take on the Packers, Eagles, and Cowboys at home.

New York will continue their trend of hot starts and sloppy finishes, and once again find themselves playing the waiting game. There are a lot of solid teams in the NFC this season and 10-6 could once again put Big Blue on the outside looking in.

If they can keep control of the football and Eli stops throwing outrageous interceptions, they could surprise a lot of people and make a playoff push. However, a lot needs to happen before you can pencil Giant games into your schedules for mid-late January.

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