6.5 wins for the Giants in 2018? Geoff Schwartz says “Take the over”

In an increasingly common occurrence, the New York Giants are something of a mystery for the national media. Las Vegas has the Giants’ over/under pegged at 6.5 wins, and many analysts seem to feel that while the Giants might be on the rise, they’re only starting to rebuild after a disastrous turn under Ben McAdoo.

But on the side of the optimists is former NFL offensive lineman — and offensive guard for the Giants — Geoff Schwartz.

Schwartz has picked the Giants as one of two teams (the other being the Arizona Cardinals) he feels is poised to surprise prognosticators and beat their projected win totals.

Another win total I’m buying is for the New York Giants to go over 6.5 at -155.

Again, the value isn’t the greatest, but this Giants offense is loaded. Ben McAdoo is gone and Pat Shurmur has taken over. Shurmur’s offense fits the Giants personnel much better than McAdoo.

For starters, he will be able to use the Giants explosive offense weapons in a manner that better suits their abilities. The West Coast offense uses formations, stacks and shifts to work guys open. It will allow Odell Beckham, Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram to get into the open field.

Add in the additions of Nate Solder and Will Hernandez to the offensive line along with drafting running back Saquon Barkley, and the offense should be full steam ahead in 2018.

I know, I know, what about Eli Manning? He can still play. We saw late in the season when he threw for 400 yards against the Eagles in an offense that never matched what he has done well in his career.

If we turn the attention towards the defense, they have Oliver Vernon and Snacks Harrison upfront to go with Landon Collins and Janoris Jenkins in the back end. Add in defensive coordinator James Bettcher from Arizona, who’s Cardinals ranked in the top six in yards allowed in each of Bettcher’s three seasons as defensive coordinator.

I love the Giants to make the over!

A few weeks ago the BBV staff held a round-table on our feelings regarding the win total predictions coming out of Las Vegas for the Giants.

At the time, most of us felt that (roughly) six wins was a pessimistic prediction for the Giants.

Looking at how the Giants stumbled out of the gate and then slogged their way through and injury-plagued and generally embarrassing season, it isn’t hard to see where the pessimists are coming from. The team was atrocious last year, and despite all the moves made, there are still serious questions regarding the roster.

However — as Schwartz suggests and has been my refrain — coaching matters.

The Giants should have better leadership at the head coaching position than they had a year ago, and that should influence players throughout the locker room to step up and play to the best of their ability. Likewise, the new coaching staff has a solid reputation for putting players in position to maximize their talents.

We’ll just have to wait and see how everything comes together as to whether the team will exceed expectations. But at least one former player thinks that there’s reason for optimism among Giants fans.