The 5 easiest matchups on the Buffalo Bills 2019 schedule
By Avery Duncan
2. @ New York Giants (week 2)
After going 5-11 in 2018, the New York Giants had one of the wildest off-seasons of any NFL team, and that’s not particularly a good thing. Superstar wide receiver Odell Beckham got traded, and so did pass-rusher Olivier Vernon, safety Landon Collins left without any player compensation in return, and QB Daniel Jones became the No. 6 overall pick — to the dismay of their fanbase.
In 2019, the Giants will trot out a team that’s not nearly as inspiring as they had been in years past. The loss of Beckham takes away an x-factor on the outside, Vernon’s departure makes a once-reeling pass-rush worse, and Jones isn’t, as he currently stands, an upgrade over the now-ancient Eli Manning.
While the Giants upgrading their offensive line — via RG Kevin Zeitler‘s arrival (part of the Beckham/Vernon trade) — that alone may not be enough to keep the team afloat. An already patch-work receiving corps is significantly worse with Golden Tate replacing Beckham — who is an aging slot/YAC-threat similar to their now-lead option Sterling Shepard. While the quarterback position continues to scare Giants faithful as an elder Manning and rookie Jones don’t appear to be solving their problems.
The bright spot with the Giants stands in that their roster is technically more filled out. Save for the Jones pick, they had an excellent defensive-minded draft and made some savvy veteran signings. Saquon Barkley — their all-world running back — will assuredly win them games too; but how many?
In a passing NFL, the best teams can either get to the quarterback, have a good one themselves, and/or have wide receivers that give defenses headaches. The Giants have none of that. They had two (sort of) in 2018, and it didn’t work out for them. For the G-Men to be competitive, either Manning or Jones has to step up, and the defense — that was the second worst in the NFL in getting to the quarterback in 2018 — will have to find some way to get to the quarterback with their best pass-rusher (Vernon) gone.