2018 NFC East Preview: Can the Dallas Cowboys finish first?

New York Giants

2017 Record/Finish: 3-13, 4th in NFC East
Offensive Ranks (2017): 31st (scoring), 21st (total yards), 19th (passing), 26th (rushing)
Defensive Ranks (2017): 27th (scoring), 31st (total yards), 31st (passing), 27th (rushing)
Key offseason additions: LT Nate Solder (NE), OG Patrick Omameh (JAX)
Key offseason losses: CB Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (OAK), DE Jason Pierre-Paul (TB)
Key draft pick: RB Saquon Barkley
Toughest multi-game stretch: Weeks 1-4 (vs. Jacksonville, at Dallas, at Houston, vs. New Orleans)
Vegas Over/Under for wins: 7
Projected 2018 record: 6-10

The Giants will be a better team in 2018 than they were in 2017 for two obvious reasons. Odell Beckham, Jr. returns and instantly improves their offense. They also have a legit running back for the first time in what seems like forever.

Will that translate into victories? Probably not.

I’d be more “worried” about the Giants as a contender if not for their opening schedule. Outside the first four games mentioned above, they also have Carolina, Philadelphia and Atlanta to start the season.

New York will be fortunate to walk away from the beginning of this year 2-5.

The team will be better however and that’s a start. The defense looks to be better than their dismal performance from a year ago. They will do so with an addition by subtraction approach.

The offensive line will also be better with free agency and draft picks adding to their talent level. All in all, there a lot of things for New York to be happy about, but that schedule and their quarterback will be their downfall in 2019.