Coming off a 4-13 record in 2021, the expectations for the New York Giants were low. So incredibly low that even projecting a sub-6-win season in 2022 labeled you an “optimist living in New York.” The firings of Head Coach Joe Judge, offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, and defensive coordinator Patrick Graham left doubt about the future, but one thing was certain. The Giants were officially entering an era of rebuilding. Giants owner John Mara would spend little time finding his Head Coach, hiring former Buffalo Bills Offensive Coordinator Brian Daboll just 3 weeks after an unsuccessful 2021 season. As a fan, I loved this pick. The Giants had been bad for nearly a decade now, and I was exhausted. Daboll embodies hard-nosed football with a bit of swagger which is exactly what I thought New York was lacking.
Daboll had previously spent 3 years in Buffalo, being credited with the rapid development of star quarterback Josh Allen. Questions began circulating around whether the same could be done with a “turnover prone” Daniel Jones under center. A lackluster 2021 season prompted the Giants to decline Jones’ Fifth-year Player Option, saving them $22.4 million and essentially challenging Jones to “prove it.” I personally wasn’t sold on Jones, so I liked this move. Jones would have some help in the backfield with a fully healthy Saquon Barkley set to return in 2022. Still, the Giants had issues elsewhere, primarily in the offensive and defensive lines.
A solid draft saw the Giants take Oregon edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux with the 5th overall pick, and Alabama tackle Evan Neal with the 7th overall pick. These were the best possible picks on my draft board, and I finally felt as if the franchise and I agreed on something. A couple decent Free-agent signings later, the 2022 season was set to begin. The Giants opened their season on the road against the defending AFC South Champion Tennessee Titans. The game plan was to stop Star running back Derrick Henry, which was successful. Still the Giants struggled and entered the Half down 13-0. A late touchdown grab by Tight End Chris Myarick cut the Titan’s lead to one. An aggressive Daboll would go for two, winning the game 21-20 and solidifying a culture of change.
The Giants would end the season with a record of 9-7-1, clinching a playoff berth as the 6th seed for the first time since 2016, and winning a playoff game for the first time since 2011. I hadn’t had this much fun watching football in a while. Everything the Giants were doing seemed to click, and the future was starting to look bright. Daniel Jones solidified himself as the franchise quarterback, Saquon Barkley had a phenomenal year totaling 1,650 yards from scrimmage, and the emergence of young talents such as Dexter Lawrence. Xavier McKinney, and Kayvon Thibodeaux helped the Giants defense jump from 23rd to 20th in the power rankings. Give Wink Martindale some help in the secondary and I believe that number can increase twofold. Brian Daboll is even in the running for NFL Coach of the Year, and I believe he’s made a solid case for himself. New York has more tough decisions to make this offseason, but overall, I think this season was a giant success.
