Welcome to the 2023 Giants’ season, Part II.
No NFL team needed a midseason reset quite like the Giants, who return to practice Wednesday with a 2-6 record but peace of mind knowing that starting quarterback Daniel Jones is back from a three-game absence, left tackle Andrew Thomas is tracking to return from a seven-game absence, only one starter was dealt at the trade deadline and the most difficult stretch of their schedule is complete.
Here are five questions to reprogram the Giants’ season:
1. Can Dexter Lawrence still dominate without Leonard Williams?
Let’s not insult Lawrence by implying that his two-year dominance is due to playing alongside the now-traded Williams.
Let’s also not underestimate Williams’ value.
Lawrence is the top-ranked interior defender in the NFL, according to Pro Football Focus, after a 15-pressure game that tied for the most at his position by any player since 2006 and upped his season total to 44. He is the No. 2-ranked run-stopping defensive tackle.
Williams, a former 11.5-sack pass-rusher earning $21 million per year, unselfishly did a lot of the dirty work that freed up Lawrence.
That job now falls to A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches, who will see increased reps.
Both veterans are solid run-stuffers but do not pose the same threat to quarterbacks — there’s a reason the Seahawks parted with two draft picks for a half-season rental of Williams — if teams adjust to Lawrence.
2. Why is Saquon Barkley still here?
Simply, because both sides still want to work out a multiyear extension when talks can resume in January.
Easier said than done, after last season’s tense negotiations ended $1 million to $2 million apart in average annual salary and guaranteed money, Barkley’s injury history continued with three games missed due to a high ankle sprain and the Colts’ Jonathan Taylor re-signed for three years and $42 million ($26.5 million guaranteed).
The Giants rebuffed trade interest in Barkley this week for football and non-football reasons.
Imagine the NFL’s lowest-scoring team (11.9 points per game) trying to gain first downs — let alone score — without Barkley. What he did rushing for 132 yards (112 after contact) in a no-pass-threat offense against the Jets was appreciated.
Trading Barkley would send a sour message of quitting on the season and not rewarding loyalty to the locker room. And what reason would fans — who wear more Barkley jerseys than any other active player — have to come to the final four home games?
3. Who is the backup quarterback?
With Tyrod Taylor (rib cage) reportedly considered week-to-week, who is Jones’ backup? It looks like a competition between undrafted rookie Tommy DeVito (who was signed to the 53-man roster after maxing out his three practice-squad elevations) and veteran Matt Barkley (who was added to the practice squad).
Jones, who takes big hits on the move, has missed 13 career games due to injuries to his neck (twice), ankle and hamstring, so there is a reasonable chance one of the two will be called upon.
Barkley was the only free agent capable of getting up to speed by Sunday, given he played in head coach Brian Daboll’s offense from 2018-20 in Buffalo. He also has completed passes beyond the line of scrimmage, which DeVito did not when the play-calling showed no confidence in him over 50 snaps in his NFL debut last week.
4. Can the offense be saved?
If Thomas returns, the Giants are one step closer to a respectable offensive line of Thomas, Justin Pugh, John Michael Schmitz, Mark Glowinski and Evan Neal (left to right). Actually, there hasn’t been any noticeable drop-off from former first-round pick Neal to fill-in Tyre Phillips over the last two games, which is its own problem.
If the Giants’ offense still is flailing with Jones, Thomas and Barkley healthy, Daboll could have no choice but to take over play-calling from coordinator Mike Kafka. Holding a play sheet over his face on game day and getting more involved in preparation make his input heard, but, if he learned anything from predecessor Joe Judge’s quick demise, Daboll can’t wait too long to take the nuclear step he has been trying to avoid.
5. Are the playoffs still a possibility?
Penciling in all of the NFC’s division leaders and teams with five or more victories still leaves an opening for the No. 7 seed. The Vikings were in the driver’s seat until quarterback Kirk Cousins’ season-ending Achilles tear, though their trade for Cardinals starter Josh Dobbs suggests they are going for it.
On one hand, the Giants are two games out of the playoffs with nine to play. On the other, they sit No. 13 in a 16-team conference once tiebreakers are factored in.
The Giants play just three games against teams with winning records — Eagles twice and Cowboys — the rest of the way.
Sounds like three more certain losses — they are 3-23 against those two rivals over the last six seasons — but maybe the Eagles will have the No. 1 seed wrapped up and rest starters in their Week 18 visit north.
Could Part II of this season be the rare sequel better than the original?