The New York Giants still have a terrible record, but after starting off the season 0-6, the team has rebounded with two straight victories and with a bye week coming, they won't put up a loss in a month and now they are getting a boost, as running back Andre Brown is expected to return to the lineup, making him a prime fantasy football pick up and sleeper add.
Brown has been injured since the preseason and he was placed on the IR with a designation to return and with the Giants having a bye in Week 9, ESPN.com reports that he will be back for the game in Week 10. The problems for the Giants starting 0-6 can be traced back to Brown's injury, as the team has not had a sustainable rushing game all season and one reason is because David Wilson was thrown into the starting job when Brown was injured. Wilson has been out since hurting his neck in Week 5 and Brandon Jacobs and Peyton Hillis were brought in to shore things up and now that Brown is returning, the Giants offense could really start to click.
Brown broke out last season in the game against the Carolina Panthers and now he is expecting to return for the game against the Oakland Raiders and while the Giants are just 2-6, they are still in striking distance in the NFC East, as the Cowboys, Eagles and Redskins all lost last week. Brown was expected to be the top dog in the rushing attack with David Wilson, but clearly none of that worked out and now the rushing attack for the Giants, ranked near the bottom of the league, will get its starter back and that is welcome news for fantasy owners that have Brown or picked him up and it is also welcome news for Eli Manning, as he might actually get a legitimate rushing game back and that could open up the passing offense for the team.
Last season brown was very solid with nearly 400 yards and he averaged over five yards per carry in 10 games and now he should be able to come back and be a starter for the team. The Giants have used a number of players at running back with Hillis, Wilson, Jacobs and Michael Cox as well as Da'Rel Scott and now they finally might get some stability at the position and having three backs could be very good, much like when the Giants had Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and Derrick Ward when they won the Super Bowl.
Last season Brown was very solid for the Giants and he could be the one thing that helps them get the year back on track in 2013. The team has three straight home games coming up and they are all must win games, as they play the Raiders, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys and after that is the Washington Redskins, meaning the destiny for the Giants is in their own hands. The back stretch of the season will be tough with games at San Diego and home against Washington and the Seahawks, but if Brown is healthy it could be very good for the G-Men.
