The second half of bonus Know Your Enemy NFC East continues. We talked about the East favorite Eagles and Cowboys. Now let’s look at the lowly New York Giants and Washington *Insert Name Change Here*
New York Giants
The Giants were terrible at 4-12 and fired their coach Pat Shurmur. They were 2-6 at home and on the road. New York went the New England coaching tree route hiring ST coordinator Joe Judge to be the Giants head coach. Jason Garrett was fired in Dallas but becomes the offensive coordinator for New York. The defense will be run by Patrick Graham and switch to 3-4. This is a rebuild but they should be better than last season. The only NFC North team they play is at Chicago in Week 2.
Strengths
Defensive Line
The defensive line shouldn’t be bad with Leonard Williams, Dalvin Tomlinson and Dexter Lawrence. Lawrence did well as a rookie and Dalvin Tomlinson is a solid nose tackle. Williams has all the talent in the world but hasn’t put it altogether.
Offensive Line
The offensive line finally might have a chance to be a strength. The Giants took Andrew Thomas in the top 5 and hope Nate Solder returns to New England form after a disappointing season last year. Will Hernandez has talent but hasn’t produced as a 2nd round pick. Kevin Zeitler is a good right guard. Spencer Pulley is a below average center. There is talent here and they will need to run block well for Saquan Barkley.
Running Game
Saquan Barkley is a beast. He has power, speed and can catch the ball. He is the Giants offense. Barkley was injured last year but still cracked 1,000 yards and 438 receiving yards in 13 games.
Might be Strength or Weak
QB
Daniel Jones had a decent 89 rating in his rookie year. Giants fans hope he takes a big leap in year 2 with a new OC. His weapons are lacking but Barkley, Golden Tate, Sterling Shephard and Evan Engram might be enough with that offensive line.
Weak
Pass Rush
Lorenzo Carter is decent and everyone knows Kyle Fackrell. They hope Oshane Ximines takes a jump in year 2 at OLB. Blake Martinez was added at ILB but isn’t much of a pass rusher. Williams and Lawrence will need to figure out how to bring more pressure from 3-4 DE spot. We’ll see if 3-4 defense helps them disguise the pressure.
Secondary
James Bradberry was a nice signing but 2019 first round pick DeAndre Baker got arrested. Sam Beal hasn’t lived up to his 3rd round supplemental selection but Grant Haley and Corey Ballentine are not good nickels. Safety is better with Jabrill Peppers and 2nd round pick Xavier McKinney on the back-end. 4th round 2019 pick Julian Love could get some decent playing time as well. The secondary is young but has more talent than 2019. They will need a strong pass rush though.
Weapons
Golden Tate disappointed in the first year of his contract. Sterling Shephard is a solid number 2. Evan Engram is a solid receiving tight end but is coming off a foot injury. Darius Slayton showed flashes in 2019. Corey Coleman failed with the Browns but gets one last shot.
Overall
Easy win for the Bears in Week 2 as their defense stops Barkley. Chicago beat them 19-14 last season.
Washington “Pending Name Change”
Washington has a new regime with new HC “Riverboat” Ron Rivera and probably even change their team name. Scott Tuner is the OC and Jack Del Rio is the DC. Dwayne Haskins has a lot to prove in year 2 after a poor rookie season. Week 10 Washington travels to Detroit. They beat the Lions on a fluke last season with Stafford hurt and a kick-off TD. Lions will be looking for revenge in 2020.
Strengths
Pass Rush
This team is loaded with young pass rushers and move to a 4-3 defense. Chase Young looks like a beast rookie and Montez Sweat was drafted in 2019 1st round. Ryan Kerrigan is a veteran double digit guy. Da’Ron Payne and Jonathan Allen are two first round picks at DT from Alabama. The Redskins should be able to terrorize QBs.
Run Game
Adrian Peterson still gets the job done (4.3 YPC). Derrius Guice is oft-injured but has potential (5.8 YPC on 40 carries). Antonio Gibson was added in Round 3 and can play RB or slot WR. Peyton Barber has experience as a back-up and JD McKissic is a nice gadget player. Washington can have success in the run game.
Weaknesses
Weapons
Other than Terry McLaurin (919 yard and 7 TDs in 14 games), the Redskins don’t have good weapons. Kelvin Harmon, Cody Lattimer, rookie Antonio Gundy-Golden, rookie 3rd round pick Antonio Gibson, slot Trey Quinns have so much to prove. Jeremy Sprinkle, former Packer Richard Rodgers and former Lion Logan Thomas are the tight ends. Dwayne Haskins will have some issues still in year 2 with these guys.
Offensive Line
The right side is good with Brandon Scherff (franchised) at RG and Morgan Moses at RT. The left side is a disaster with Cornelius Lucas replacing the traded Trent Williams (San Fran) and Wes Schweitzer at left guard. Rookie 4th round Saadiq Charles could step up or 2018 3rd round pick Geron Christian at left tackle. Chase Roullier is an average center at best. Haskins should be under pressure often in 2020.
Secondary
Kendall Fuller back from the Chiefs is a good nickel corner. Ron Darby could be solid but Fabian Moreau needs to develop more in year 3. Landon Collins is a good strong safety though and Sean Davis is young talent at FS. Troy Apke and DeShean Everett is average safety depth at best. Aaron Colvin looks to revive his career as the 4th CB for Washington. Quinton Dunbar had a good year for Washington in 2019 but bolted for Seattle then had off field issues. This secondary has some talent but not enough. We’ll see if River and Del Rio can get the most out of it. The great pass rush should help this secondary tremendously though.
Linebacker
Thomas Davis is a great veteran leader but very old. He knows Rivera very well. Jon Bostic is another veteran and Reuben Foster gets one last chance to revive his career as a major 1st round bust. LB should still be weak and poor in coverage.
Overall
Redskins are in a rebuild but have a really strong pass rush and decent run game. They beat the Lions last year without Stafford but this game in 2020 will be in Detroit. The Lions should get revenge and get a win in 2020.