As Brian Daboll’s team walked off the field following a 38-7 loss that ended their 2022 season, many fans were left to wonder how the New York Giants would prepare for an encore performance in 2023.
The encore performance many fans sought ultimately ended in a disastrous outcome.
The Giants’ 2023 season started with a 40-0 loss against the Cowboys and fell away from there. Daniel Jones tore his ACL in Week 9 amidst a 2-8 start to the season, and the team wrapped up 2023 with a 6-11 record, securing a top-10 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
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What Went Right for Giants
For all of the struggles the Giants’ offense faced in 2023, there were five specific instances where the unit played at its best. In Week 2, the Giants’ only other 30-point performance was one where the team scored all 31 of their points in a half. (It should be noted that these 31 points were needed to come back from a 20-0 halftime deficit against the underdog Cardinals.)
Then, four of the final five weekends saw the team score at least 24 points, including a combined 52 against the Eagles in two hard-fought contests that the Giants would split against Nick Sirianni’s club.
FINAL: The @Giants end the 2023 season with a W! #PHIvsNYG pic.twitter.com/qZZLSNO87B
— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2024
What Went Wrong for Giants
To say “everything else” would be a generalization, but for the most part, this is how we can best describe how poorly things went in 2023. Wink Martindale’s defense went from the middle of the road to the fourth-worst before he resigned. Injuries were aplenty once again, often a harbinger in the past several seasons of how things are going for the team. Jones regressed after signing a $160 million deal in the nine games we did see him start, and Mike Kafka’s offense fell to near-league-worst in scoring.
Team Award Winners
MVP – Dexter Lawrence
Lawrence enjoyed another successful year in 2023. Despite his stats trending downward across the board, he still recorded 4.5 sacks and 53 total tackles, both enough to earn him the Giants’ only Pro Bowl nod and also an appearance on the All-Pro team.
Dex is a national treasure 😂
RT to send him to the Pro Bowl!#ProBowlVote + Dexter Lawrence
Mic'd Up: https://t.co/6ZGxF8s8XX pic.twitter.com/7OzEY88P5w
— New York Giants (@Giants) December 20, 2023
Rookie of the Year – Deonte Banks
Banks was the Giants’ top draft pick, selected 24th overall after a trade. Rookie cornerbacks are often brought into the starting lineup and struggle in Year 1. While Banks did get thrust into the lineup right away, he had an admirable rookie campaign, recording 64 total tackles and two interceptions. He played a key role in low-scoring victories over the Commanders in October and the Patriots in November.
Best Offseason Addition – Bobby Okereke
Okereke came over from Indianapolis in the offseason and thrived in Martindale’s defense. He arguably had a career season, coming just two combined tackles shy of his 2022 mark of 151. He also recorded career highs in sacks and interceptions. Like Banks, Okereke recorded an interception in the Giants’ 10-7 victory over New England in November.
Biggest Surprise – Tommy DeVito
Was there really any other choice here? The unheralded rookie from Illinois stepped up amidst injuries to Jones and Tyrod Taylor. Although his stint began with a 49-17 loss to Dallas, DeVito Mania was in full force through the three-game winning streak he took the Giants on. This included a 31-19 win over the Commanders in which he tossed three touchdown passes on 18 completions.
The @Giants game-winning drive. Presented by Tommy DeVito. pic.twitter.com/ZWjGI2hLgy
— NFL (@NFL) December 12, 2023
Biggest Disappointment – Daniel Jones
A $160 million commitment over four years and Jones didn’t even complete the first one of those four. In six starts, Jones heavily regressed from the vaunted improvements he made in 2022. He threw only two touchdowns (both in the Week 2 against Arizona) against six interceptions. He also lost four fumbles along the way. During those first nine weeks, we saw Daboll yell at Jones for his repeated mistakes.
One Burning Question
Is it time to move on from Daniel Jones?
The Giants own the same sixth pick they used to draft Jones in 2019, and this year’s class offers many potential options at quarterback. However, three of them may be gone after the first three selections. Unless Joe Schoen works his draft magic once again, the Giants may have to wait for Days 2 and 3 to find their next signal-caller. It may be better for the Giants to turn in their No. 6 pick on one of the top three wide receivers, Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, or an offensive tackle such as Notre Dame’s Joe Alt.
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