Moeller: Giants’ Season Revealing Stark Reality of Little Change

The Giants are dealing with Deja vu.

Last week against Philadelphia, they watched the Eagles’ Jake Elliott kick another field goal that sank another season like he did a year ago with a 61-yarder.

A year ago, Geno Smith made a start for Eli Manning when the future Hall of Famer seemed destined to have played his last days in Blue.

Manning appears again to be at a crossroads with many waiting for the one bad half when he can be pulled for the rest of the season.

Then the Giants can systematically play rookie Kyle Lauletta, who has as much of a chance as Smith being the starting quarterback next year.

There aren’t many projected starters who have yet to dress before their first possible appearance.

The defense has finally revealed that it isn’t much better than last season. Their top run stopper and their rising cornerback were dispatched in an apparent October housecleaning.

A lack of a pass rush and spotted pass coverage among the linebackers and the secondary has haunted them season..just like last year.

So, we are a year later with a new head coach, defensive coordinator, and a budding rookie running back, and the team has a 3-8 record, slightly better than last year’s 2-9 mark.

They will host the 8-3 Bears this Sunday at Met Life, who will be without starting quarterback Mitchell Trubitsky for the second straight week.

The real challenge will be trying to contain Khalil Mack, who brings his eight sacks and five forced fumbles as well as the rest of their aggressive unit.

The Giants have had trouble all season with a dominant defense, especially up front. Chicago will see a golden opportunity to further distance themselves from the Vikings and Packers.

If Manning does get roughed up, the call will be to go to Lauletta the following week in Washington.

But why bother? If he can, let Manning finish the season. Head coach Pat Shurmur has reiterated that he wants his team “to have the best chance to win every week.”

That chances over the last five weeks would be at home against Tennessee Dec. 16. Winning at Washington and Indianapolis will be extremely difficult and hosting the Cowboys the final week suddenly looks like a long afternoon.

So, we’re looking at a likely 3-13 or maybe a 4-12 season. The Giants have found their franchise running back, but they still need to secure their offensive line and revamp the defense.

This is a team that is 6-21 over the past two seasons and with a head coach who looks like he is still trying to find his comfort zone.

Then there is Odell Beckham Jr., who still is catered, and isn’t happy. That has shown signs of developing into a separate saga soon.

Sure, there was some new life with a new savior and a seasoned field general in September.

Since then, however, there is a lot of Deja vu.

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About the Author

Jeff Moeller

Jeff Moeller has been covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL and college football and basketball as well as high school sports on a national and local scene for the past 39 years. He has been a Jets and Giants beat reporter for the past 13 years.

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