Evan: Giants showed path to success that 2016 team displayed
The tone around the Giants has drastically changed in a matter of hours, as an early 7-0 deficit and a potential 0-3 start turned into a comeback win with plenty to like, including the defense’s stout pass rush and Malik Nabers looking like a superstar that has already arrived.
Was the win a brief reprieve from what could be another painful season, or was Sunday’s win on the road a template that can lead to future success? Evan believes it could be the latter, and you don’t have to look too far back into Giants history to understand why.
“That formula is very similar to what we saw in 2016: Have a big-time defense, get an excellent pass rush, and have one guy on offense do everything,” Evan said. “Essentially, that’s what they did. That’s what they did in 2016. It was the Odell Beckham Jr. Show.
“When you look at what the offense did, especially on that drive that put them up 14-7, you’ve got Malik Nabers making plays on third down and taking interceptions away...and then you have a defense that is absolutely dominating.”
The 2016 Giants grinded to an 11-5 record before losing in the Wild Card round to the Packers, a surprising season given their finish as 26th in the league in points scored. The offense couldn’t generate much outside of a monster season for Beckham, who finished with 101 receptions for 1,367 yards and 10 touchdowns. But the defense was phenomenal, allowing the second fewest points in the NFL, behind only the eventual Super Bowl champion Patriots. Big Blue’s defense stymied Deshaun Watson and the Browns on Sunday, sacking Watson eight times and finally showing the potency of Brian Burns.
Evan believes that kind of performance can be replicated, and could be a reason for Giants fans to believe, especially if Nabers is balling out on offense to the tune of two touchdown catches on eight receptions.
“We saw what I think could be the formula to their success,” Evan said. “An outstanding pass rush - which we saw - and an offense that can sometimes be carried by one man.”
