In a young NFL season, many teams have already jumped out to unexpected starts—both disappointingly and excitedly. As teams such as the New York Giants, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, and Jacksonville Jaguars have picked up surprising wins against opponents thought to be superior, the 2022 NFL season is shaping up to be one that favors the underdog. Nevertheless, as teams such as the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, and Cincinnati Bengals began the season with embarrassing losses, it is reasonable to think that power is beginning to shift in the NFL. With that being said, preceding the continuation of the season, I have a bold and very optimistic prediction regarding my New York Giants. 

The New York Giants Make a Playoff Run

As a biased Giants fan, succumbing to the hope that comes with a 2-0 start is too easy. Still, there’s no ignoring that the start is promising. Not to mention, the Giants have one of the league’s easiest schedules in the coming weeks. Considering their impending matchups against the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, Washington Commanders (twice), and Dallas Cowboys (at least once without Dak Prescott), it’s likely that the Giants win a majority of these games against weaker teams alongside a few upsets against tougher opponents such as the Philadelphia Eagles (twice), Green Bay Packers, Baltimore Ravens, Minnesota Vikings, and Detroit Lions. 

Besides their schedule, the Giants have shown some promise on the field in their victories. Firstly, running back Saquon Barkley seems to have silenced the critics who said he would never fully recover from his torn ACL. Following a historically impressive rookie year, Barkley’s past three seasons have been injury riddled. However, after leading the league with 236 rushing yards two weeks into the season, Barkley seems to be (finally) fully recovered from his injuries and returning to peak form. On the defensive side of the ball, the Giants have also looked great. In week one, the defense limited superstar running back Derrick Henry to no touchdowns and just 82 yards on 21 carries. In addition, Giants defense (and special teams) have forced three total takeaways in two games, a promising omen for weeks to come. 

Still, it’s impossible to ignore the blatant problems with the Giants’ offense. While the rush has looked promising, quarterback Daniel Jones has looked lackluster in the pocket thus far. While Jones cannot be blamed for an improved but still subpar offensive line, Jones often missed open receivers and looked hesitant to make decisions during Sunday’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers. Despite one impressive drive against the Panthers and a few promising plays against Tennessee, the offense has been largely stagnant with Jones at the helm. Nonetheless, with a deep receiving core and a young offensive line only projected to get better as the season continues, there is hope for the Giants’ attack to turn things around. 

All things considered, the Giants are only likely to improve from this point in the season. Firstly, promising young edge rushers Azeez Ojulari and Kayvon Thibodeaux are both set to return to the field soon. Secondly, as previously mentioned, rookie offensive linemen Evan Neal and Josh Ezeudu are primed to improve. Finally, with a new offensive scheme, Jones will only grow more comfortable with Mike Kafka’s offense as the season progresses. Therefore, with the aforementioned factors in mind, I see the Giants sneaking in as the seventh seed in the NFC playoffs. 

Final Prediction: Giants go 9-8, finish season as 7th seed in NFC—lose to the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the playoffs