Wednesday 11 January 2017 10:47, UK
The New York Giants have all the pieces, it has just been the case of putting them all together at the same time.
The organisation last made the Super Bowl in 2012, after a 9-7 regular season record, becoming the only team to win the Vince Lombardi trophy with fewer than ten wins.
So far this season, that hasn't happened, and some of the flaws were exposed as the G-Men lost 24-19 to NFC East division rival Philadelphia Eagles.
In the early part of the season, the Giants' new-look, ultra expensive defence took it's time to gel and become the force fans expected.
Since week seven, Big Blue's D has dominated, becoming the meanest overall defensive unit in the NFL. However, this has coincided with a drop-off in form from quarterback Eli Manning.
Kirk Cousins, Andrew Luck and other NFL stars have words for UK fans.
The two-time Super Bowl winning QB has divided analysts and fans alike, his unfazed expression sometimes giving the outside world an impression of indifference. However, he is an ultra-competitive athlete, where losses hurt just as much as they would to Tom Brady or Russell Wilson.
Manning has been on the decline this year, that much is evident. From weeks 11-14, he threw for under 200 yards each game, and in week 15, managed 201. Though Manning punched over 350 yards on Thursday night against the Eagles, he also managed three interceptions, one which cost his team a touchdown.
His deep-ball threat is waning, despite throwing a career-high (and franchise record) 63 pass attempts in Philadelphia. There is also no running game to act as relief. The Giants rank last in rushing touchdowns (five), and are averaging a measly 3.4 yards per carry.
Shane Vereen, who missed nine games earlier in the season, carried the ball just twice before aggravating the same tricep injury. Paul Perkins has emerged as a potential running back option, but the fifth round rookie shouldn't be relied on as a first choice at this stage of his career.
With all that being said, the New York Giants have a superstar that they can turn to for moments of magic. In week 16, Odell Beckham Jr tied with Randy Moss for the most 100+ yard games by a wide receiver in their first three seasons (19). He also tied with Lance Alforth, a Hall of Fame receiver, after totalling 4,000 yards in just 42 games.
Since he began his NFL career three years ago, Beckham averages over 25 yards more per game than any other receiver in the month of December. If he can continue that form into January, he could be the difference maker New York need to ignite their play-off campaign.
Rookie receiver Sterling Shepard has also impressed this year, with eight touchdowns so far this campaign. If he can avoid the 'rookie wall' and stay productive in the post-season, the Giants could be a problem team. After all, they are the only team to beat the Dallas Cowboys this year. And they've done it twice.
Manning has his faults, but it was only last year that his brother, Denver Broncos QB Peyton, was carried to Super Bowl glory on the strength of his defence. He believes he can still "get hot", and has shown this term, as well as in previous campaigns, that he can lead drives under pressure.
The pieces are in place for this Giants team, but head coach Ben McAdoo must find a way to fit them together in time for January.
