NFL

Are the New York Giants a Top-15 Offense Heading Into 2023?

Published

11 months ago

May 26, 2023

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The New York Giants surprised everyone in 2022 when first-year head coach Brian Daboll brought the franchise back to the postseason for the first time since 2016. After going 9-8-1, the Giants were rewarded with the most difficult strength of schedule for the 2023 NFL season. We’re diving into whether Daboll can once again produce a top-15 offense this year after the team upgraded its talent.

An Analytical Look at the New York Giants’ Offense

A person could reasonably deduce that the Giants had a very good passing offense last year after committing a guaranteed $82 million to quarterback Daniel Jones this offseason, but that wasn’t the case.

The Giants produced the ninth-best EPA per play in 2022 due to an effective rushing game behind an improved offensive line and star rusher Saquon Barkley. Jones helped manage an efficient passing game that mitigated risks extremely well.

Producing the 15th-most points and 18th-most yards while coughing up the second-fewest turnovers was a textbook recipe for ball control. Barkley was stellar after finding the explosiveness that was missing in 2021 after tearing his ACL in 2020. Daboll rode Barkley hard, handing him the fourth-most carries in the league and adding another 76 targets.

Despite the fantastic rushing attack, the Giants’ passing game was as benign as it can get in this era. Injuries certainly limited the ceiling of the unit, as Wan’Dale Robinson, Kadarius Toney, and Sterling Shepard combined for only 11 games played. Kenny Golladay completely disappeared, and Isaiah Hodgins went from the Buffalo Bills practice squad to a starter for the Giants.

MORE: Where Do the Giants Rank Among NFL Defenses?

Still, the cream rose to the top. Hodgins proved to be a capable NFL player, and Darius Slayton enjoyed a comeback season. The unit peaked when it needed to as Daboll and offensive coordinator Mike Kafka worked magic with a group limited in talent.

Jones’ advanced numbers were shockingly low, even when factoring in the limited supporting cast. He ranked 32nd in intended air yards per attempt and 19th in yards after the catch per completion. But the trade-off of their conservative approach was he had the third-lowest bad-throw percentage and No. 1 on-target percentage.

He led a dink-and-dunk offense that no longer featured his signature deep passes that could stretch the field. However, the Giants added talent this offseason to help bring those opportunities back.

Giants 2023 Offensive Outlook

Expectations are for this Giants offense to improve. PFN’s own Arif Hasan placed the unit 18th in his offensive rankings entering 2023. Understandably, Hasan is low on Jones’ past performance despite the additions of tight end Darren Waller and receivers Jalin Hyatt and Parris Campbell.

The key for the Giants is to take their strength from 2022 and continue evolving without losing their foundation. Maximizing Barkley and controlling the ball by limiting turnovers is a limited-upside strategy, but it can help the Giants survive against more talented teams. However, the Giants have to be more than that.

Of starting running backs, Barkley ranked 13th in yards before contact per carry and 17th in yards after contact per attempt. He was fantastic, but those numbers aren’t overly inspiring that he can repeat being the workhorse.

Also, considering he was franchise-tagged for 2023, and though Giants general manager Joe Schoen iterated, “We want him to be here,” paying him long-term hasn’t been enough of a priority to already have a deal done.

MORE: New York Giants 2023 Coaching Staff

Any sort of drop-off from Barkley in 2023 can crater the Giants’ rushing game. By only adding Eric Gray in the fifth round of the 2023 NFL Draft, the team lacks a viable backup for Barkley if he holds out or suffers an injury. Jones needs Barkley more than the other way around, which is why the Giants’ decision to commit to Jones was a fascinating gamble.

Schoen did what he could to give Jones the chance to develop more. Acquiring Waller was a huge swing on a dynamic, difference-making talent at a position that’s difficult to develop a star at. If arguably the best tight end of all time, Rob Gronkowski, is right that Waller is going to play at a Pro Bowl level again in 2023, the Giants’ offense can take a big step forward.

Are the Giants a Top-15 Offense Again in 2023?

The Giants were a top-15 scoring unit last year but were otherwise not generally considered to be average in 2022. There’s more upside for this unit in 2023, with Waller and Hyatt in particular.

The verticality of the Giants’ offense was a significant issue in 2022. Slayton had downfield speed but was also the obvious deep threat. Considering that Jones ranked 30th in deep-ball attempts and 20th in air yards, the numbers spell out New York’s offensive limitations.

Hyatt, drafted 73rd overall, could be part of the solution. Though he was a unique deep threat from the slot in Tennessee’s vertical-spread system, Hyatt knows he can be more than that.

When it came to Hyatt’s experience and skill set, he said, “I’m not going to come in here and say I only play slot, or I only want to play outside. That’s why I said I’m dynamic and explosive. I want to play everywhere. … I’m going to do what I have to do.”

Hyatt’s development can be massive for New York because they oddly added multiple versions of players they already had on the roster. While it’s wise not to count on Robinson or Shepard producing much in 2023 (or ever based on their injuries), Campbell, Hodgins, and Jamison Crowder have similar skill sets as those two.

MORE: New York Giants 2023 Schedule

That puts unique pressure on a third-round pick, but the offense has to brace for regression from Barkley and the running game. The only way to overcome that and become a top-15 offense in 2023 is for Jones to be more than a mediocre game manager.

Considering he’s failed to show that talent outside of two performances against Minnesota’s awful defense in 2022, and the team’s difficult schedule, it’s a safer bet that the Giants fall just short of being a top-15 unit in 2023.

Even then, being in the 15-20 range is the safest bet because of their quality blocking, improved talent, and high level of coaching on both sides of the ball.

The Giants play a complementary brand of football. Their margin for error is small, and if their turnovers suddenly spike, they’ll be in real trouble of surviving the NFC East. This team needs Barkley to repeat his 2022 season, for Jones to take another developmental step, and for their playmakers to quickly find their peak.

That might be too much to ask, barring a Cinderella-esque storyline.

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NFL

Taylor Swift Is Shown Chugging a Beer on the Jumbotron at Super Bowl 58

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Global superstar Taylor Swift made it to the big game to support her boyfriend, Kansas City Chiefs star tight end Travis Kelce. In the second quarter, it was evident that she was having a good time at the Super Bowl after taking a 12-hour flight from Tokyo the night prior.

Taylor Swift Seen Chugging Beer at Super Bowl

Swift’s attendance has been highly anticipated, as many fans questioned whether she would be able to make it to the big game since she had been in Japan until Saturday for her Eras Tour.

Sure enough, she made it to the Super Bowl and was seen making a grand entrance alongside Blake Lively and Ice Spice.

Swift made it back to the States with plenty of time to make it to Allegiant Stadium to support Kelce. After a leg of her Eras Tour, where she performed several nights in Japan, the singer appeared to let loose.

In a box full of friends, Swift was shown chugging a beer with Ashley Avignone. She was shown on the jumbotron and slammed her cup down after she finished her beer.

Legend 😂 pic.twitter.com/hk27JTAXZ9

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

There was a mix of cheers and boos as Swift was shown on the big screen, and a long pass to Mecole Hardman was the only highlight of the first half for Swift and her friends. The 49ers led the Chiefs, 10-0, late in the second quarter.

On social media, Swift garnered plenty of support from NFL fans.

“If you’re hating on her you can kick rocks man she’s the best,” one user posted on X.

“The one thing I learned this season is that she is actually fun,” another said.

“Booing Taylor Swift chugging a beer is so soft. She’s just one of us now and I respect it ,” another posted.

At the time of the beer chugging, Kelce, Taylor Swift’s boyfriend, has had one catch for a single yard. It came on the first possession, which ended up being a three-and-out. The Kansas City Chiefs hadn’t done much otherwise.

They did have a deep pass play to Hardman, which put them in the red zone, but Isiah Pacheco fumbled on the very next play — one that Kelce was surprisingly on the sideline for.

Swift and Kelce have garnered much media attention as their romance has taken off throughout this NFL season.

Swift was able to support her boyfriend at many of his games throughout the final stretch of the season, as her Eras Tour was on a break. But starting on Feb. 7, she went back on the road.

MORE: NFL World Reacts to Unbelievable Super Bowl Trick Play

Despite performing in Tokyo the night before the Super Bowl, she was able to make it in time to support her boyfriend due to the time difference and is having a good time doing so.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

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What Happened to the 49ers Linebacker?

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

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The San Francisco 49ers sustained a massive blow during the second quarter of Super Bowl 58, as linebacker Dre Greenlaw left the game on a medical cart.

CBS Sports confirmed that the veteran Greenlaw suffered an Achilles tear, ruling him out for the rest of the game against the Kansas City Chiefs.

What Happened to Dre Greenlaw?

The outside linebacker, who had already been battling past injuries to his hamstrings and calves, left with what appeared to be a leg injury.

And somehow, his left leg looked like it buckled as he tried to trot onto the field with the Niners’ defense.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw appeared to suffer an injury while running on the field.

pic.twitter.com/zx0l1NjTew

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw clutched his left leg in agony before being helped off the field.

CBS Sports sideline reporter Evan Washburn reported that the outside linebacker left with what was ruled as a lower leg injury. He was later determined to sustain an Achilles injury.

Greenlaw was declared out for the rest of the game.

#49ers LB Dre Greenlaw (Achilles) is now officially out for the game.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) February 12, 2024

Greenlaw Carted Off in Passenger Seat

Even more noticeable was where Greenlaw sat on the cart.

He ended up leaving not in the back of the medical vehicle but ended up riding shotgun with his leg injury.

He can’t sit in the back? pic.twitter.com/9jpz0rdoF1

— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) February 12, 2024

One would think that with an injury like an Achilles ailment, medical officials would try to make the player as comfortable as possible before they leave. It wasn’t the case here.

MORE: San Francisco 49ers Depth Chart

Regardless, Greenlaw was replaced by Demetrius Flannigan-Fowles for the rest of the first half. Greenlaw became the most significant injury of the game.

As the 2023 NFL season comes to a close, the 2024 NFL Draft is on the horizon. Pro Football Network has you covered with everything from team draft needs to the Top 100 prospects available. Plus, fire up PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator to put yourself in the general manager’s seat and make all the calls!

Listen to the PFN Fantasy Podcast

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NFL World Reacts to Epic Super Bowl Intro From CBS

Published

2 months ago

February 12, 2024

darragh

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Super Bowl 58 is here and it’s going to be exciting. The San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs are facing off in the final game of 2023.

CBS is broadcasting the game and the opening was nothing short of amazing. How is the NFL world reacting to the electric Super Bowl-opening video?

Epic CBS Super Bowl Intro Garners Reaction From NFL World

The video, which spanned four minutes and 19 seconds, featured players from both teams talking about the big game and what it means to them. It also featured their families talking about their journeys to this point.

“Amazing intro! Reminds me of my dad! Bravo on the intro!,” one NFL fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

And now, the end is near.

And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain. pic.twitter.com/YgIEGOAMb1

— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) February 11, 2024

Additionally, Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” played in the background, giving it a near-movie feel. “This was incredible.,” another person said on X. “And so, the @49ers and @Chiefs face that final curtain,” CBS Sports said.

The 49ers finished the regular season as the top seed in the NFC with a 12-5 record. After their first-round bye, they defeated both the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions to earn their trip to Las Vegas for the Super Bowl. Both of their victories came in comeback fashion, including an NFC Championship-record 17-point comeback.

The Chiefs, on the other hand, had a more uphill battle. Entering the playoffs as the AFC’s third seed, they finished the regular season with an 11-6 record. In the playoffs, they defeated the Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and Baltimore Ravens to punch their ticket.

Super Bowl 58 is a re-match of Super Bowl 54 when the Chiefs defeated the 49ers 31-24. The win was the first in Patrick Mahomes career, as he also won Super Bowl MVP. Four years later, the Chiefs have made three more and won another. For the 49ers, this is their first trip back to the big game since.

The game kicked off at 6:30 p.m. ET with the 49ers receiving the opening kick. In addition to being broadcast on CBS, the game is also being streamed on Paramount+.