Expectations are understandably low for the New York Giants after a 3-14 finish in 2024, but there are reasons to believe the upcoming season will be better.
The quarterback room has drastically improved with the arrival of veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, as well as rookie Jaxson Dart. There’s also the presence of budding superstar wide receiver Malik Nabers, and a dynamic defense that features a front seven including Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and rookie Abdul Carter.
Despite their ugly record a season ago, the Giants were moderately competitive in most games, losing eight games by eight points or fewer, seven games by seven points or fewer, and three games by a field goal.
An improved and deeper roster should yield more positive results by default, but not everyone sees it that way.
The Giants have the toughest schedule in the NFL based on several metrics, and for that reason alone, Nate Davis of USA TODAY predicts further misery for the franchise. He believes they will finish dead last in the league this coming season, recording just two wins.
New York Giants (2-15): A team coming off a 3-14 season somehow draws the league’s toughest schedule based on opponents’ 2024 winning percentages (.574). So much for competitive balance. This record projection isn’t indicative of the young talent on this roster, including WR Malik Nabers, LT Andrew Thomas, rookie OLB Abdul Carter and others. But it’s very hard to find wins on this schedule or expect QB Russell Wilson will enjoy a renaissance at age 36, especially when pressure to play quarterback of the future Jaxson Dart as the season wears on is only likely to incrementally grow.
Davis has the New Orleans Saints finishing with a 2-15 record as well, but finishing above the Giants in the draft order.
Yikes.
The schedule is what scares fans and analysts the most, but teams are different every year. It’s a fair metric to consider when making preseason predictions, but one that rarely plays out after 18 weeks of regular-season football. Some of the top teams from 2024 will fall flat in 2025, while some of the last-place teams from 2024 will make a push toward the playoffs in 2025.
Could the Giants be one of those worst-to-first teams? Davis doesn’t think so, but that’s just one man’s opinion.
This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: NFL analyst predicts New York Giants will be league’s worst team in 2025
Reporting by Dan Benton, Giants Wire / Giants Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
