The New York Giants are busy celebrating their 100th anniversary this season. Fans packed MetLife Stadium on Friday night to celebrate with a season opening fan fest that featured former Giants legends through the years.
But as the season kicks-off Sunday, it almost feels solemn. That's because the expectations are not high coming into the season; at least not the fans, and certainly not the media.
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| Daniel Jones Getty Images. |
The Giants are coming off a disappointing 6-11 season that was quickly followed up by a disappointing off-season highlighted by Saquon Barkley's departure for Philadelphia. If the Hard Knocks series this summer that featured an seemingly miffed John Mara over Barkley's exit, Giants fans couldn't be happy to see their former first round pick from 2018 score three times for the Eagles on Friday night in Brazil.
So when the Giants take the field Sunday to face the Minnesota Vikings to open the season, they will do so with all eyes on quarterback Daniel Jones.
This is the guy General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll put all their faith in prior to the 2023 season when they extended Jones to a four-year, $160 million deal, and opted not to do so with Barkley.
Jones was miserable last season. Poor play and injuries did him in in 2023. This off-season wasn't much better. He had to compete with Drew Lock for the starting job. And yes, last season's December hero Tommy DeVito was looking over Jones' shoulder too.
To say that Jones is under pressure to start the 2024 season would be a major understatement. One bad game; heck, one bad quarter, and fans will be calling for Lock, DeVito, or anyone who can throw a football.
Eli Manning and Phil Simms, throw away your cell phones.
Putting it all on Jones isn't fair. But this is New York. Jones' predecessor certainly felt the wrath of Giants fans in the early stages of his career before leading Big Blue to stunning glory in Super Bowl XLII back during the 2007-2008 season.
Can he exersise his own demons? We'll find out soon.
At least he has some help. Malik Nabers gives the Giants a bonafide number 1 receiver. And Devin Singletary, while he is not Barkely, was a decent back with the Buffalo Bills for years. And the Giants defense led by Kayvon Thibodeau should be solid. The addition of inside linebacker Brian Burns could be a huge plus moving forward.
To say the Giants don't stand a chance, and are starring down the barrel at 4-13 is disingenuous. This is a talented team. Maybe not as talented or at the level of Philadelphia or Dallas, but the Giants could certainly find themselves in the mix with a few breaks here and there.
PREDICTION FOR SUNDAY:
GIANTS 24 - VIKINGS 22
The G-Men will do enough to top Vikings who are stuck with Sam Darnold at quarterback on Sunday. As for the season, the Giants should finish around 7-10.
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