The New York Giants are coming into the 2013 season with Super Bowl expectations after missing the playoffs last season and with the actual championship game being played in their home field at MetLife Stadium, quarterback Eli Manning and company know what's at stake when they take the field every week.
Manning put up some solid stats last season with nearly 4,000 yards passing, but without Hakeem Nicks healthy he forced into coverage more often than not and threw 15 interceptions while completing under 69 percent of his passes, two things he is focusing on improving this season. Manning spoke to ESPN.com during training camp over the weekend and said that having Nicks back in the lineup each week alongside Cruz will be integral to success this year and he also mentioned how the addition of Louis Murphy and the development of Reuben Randle will contribute to their big play ability.
Randle showed flashes last season of becoming a solid NFL receiver and if one of those two players can step up to be like Mario Manningham as a third option from the Super Bowl season, the Giants will be in a better position to make the playoffs. Manning previously completed a career high 62 percent of his passes in 2010 and the past two seasons those numbers have declined and now he is working on getting those number back up this year. The Giants are relying on David Wilson and Andre Brown to spark the running game after the departure of Ahmad Bradshaw and upgrades to the offensive line should help as well.
The Giants were one of the most inconsistent teams on defense last season and ranked 28th in passing yards per game and 25th in rushing yards per game and in training camp the focus has been on limiting big plays. The offense should improve with the presence of Nicks if he can stay healthy and after ranking 12th in the league in passing yards per game basically without him, Manning should easily pass for over 4,000 yards this season. The team opens up with the Cowboys on the road before coming home to play Peyton Manning and the Broncos before heading on the road for two games against the Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs.
