NEW YORK GIANTS

2012 Odds:
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Odds to Win NFC East: 2/1
Odds to Win NFC Championship: 10/1
Odds to Win Super Bowl XLVII: 18/1
Regular Season Wins Over/Under: 9

2012 Preview:
Offense:
The Giants’ run game is built primarily around man-on-man power blocking. The backfield has been shuffled a bit with the plodding Brandon Jacobs out and explosive rookie David Wilson in. But despite the fact that they burned a first-rounder on Wilson, Ahmad Bradshaw is still expected to handle the majority of the snaps. Bradshaw has become decent as a blocker and receiver, while Wilson has a long way to go in blitz pick-up. When they run near the goal line, Bradshaw will be the primary back, a role he spilt with Jacobs last season. D.J. Ware will pick up some passing down scraps, but will spend most of the game on the sidelines unless Bradshaw or Wilson gets hurt.

The key players in offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride’s complex passing game have meshed nicely. They might run a little less of their three-wide base this year with Mario Manningham out and rookie Rueben Randle in. Victor Cruz, who is effective inside and out, will slide to the slot when Randle is on the field, and Cruz will be Eli Manning’s top target; Manning has always relied heavily on his slot guys. Hakeem Nicks is strictly on the perimeter as a big-play threat and will also be targeted frequently. Manning uses his tight ends as safety blankets, though new TE Martellus Bennett is more of an up-the-field threat with inconsistent hands. They’ll run a handful of screens to all three backs, but Bradshaw is relied on for blitz pickup. Nicks was Manning’s favorite red zone target a year ago, and he should be again in 2012.

Defense:
The Giants have nearly 100 sacks over the past two seasons, with stars Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Tuck (when healthy) anchoring what’s arguably the NFL’s best defensive line. Pierre-Paul is the most athletic lineman in the league, able to rush the quarterback, tackle, bat down passes and force fumbles. Tuck, meanwhile, has vowed to be in the best shape of his life to start 2012, in an effort to prevent a second straight injury-marred campaign in which he saw limited snaps. Then there’s Osi Umenyiora, who is usually good for about 10 sacks despite the fact that he’s on the sidelines for many running downs. The secondary will get a boost from the return of cornerback Terrell Thomas, whose 21 passes defensed in 2010 ranked third in the NFL. Antrel Rolle played safety and some slot corner last year, but the return of Thomas, who tore his ACL last August, should allow Rolle to play more exclusively at his natural safety position in 2012.

Key Offseason Moves:
ADDITIONS
TE Martellus Bennett (from Cowboys)
T Sean Locklear (from Redskins)
DT Shaun Rogers (from Saints)
DT Marcus Thomas (from Broncos)
LB Keith Rivers (from Bengals)
CB Antwaun Molden (from Patriots)
CB Dante Hughes (from Chargers)
S Stevie Brown (from Colts)

SUBTRACTIONS
RB Brandon Jacobs (49ers)
WR Mario Manningham (49ers)
WR/KR Devin Thomas (Bears)
TE Jake Ballard (Patriots)
T Tony Ugoh (retired)
DE Dave Tollefson (Raiders)
LB Jonathan Goff (Redskins)
CB Aaron Ross (Jaguars)
CB Brian Witherspoon (released)

2012 Schedule:
2012 Schedule Strength: 21.38 (2nd toughest in NFL)
Week 1 - Dallas
Week 2 - Tampa Bay
Week 3 - at Carolina
Week 4 - at Philadelphia
Week 5 - Cleveland
Week 6 - at San Francisco
Week 7 - Washington
Week 8 - at Dallas
Week 9 - Pittsburgh
Week 10 - at Cincinnati
Week 11 - BYE WEEK
Week 12 - Green Bay
Week 13 - at Washington
Week 14 - New Orleans
Week 15 - at Atlanta
Week 16 - at Baltimore
Week 17 - Philadelphia

StatFox Take: The Giants have the second-toughest schedule in the NFL, but they face just one playoff opponent in their first eight games (Week 6 at 49ers). The second half of the schedule features six playoff teams from a year ago, plus a divisional road game at Washington and a season finale against the Eagles, who are favored to win the NFC East this year. New York has reached the playoffs in five of the past seven seasons, winning at least eight games each year. Expect the Giants improved defense to lead them to another double-digit win season in 2012.
Prediction: OVER 9 wins (-105)

All NFL Previews

AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC South
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Tennessee Titans

AFC West
Denver Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs
Oakland Raiders
San Diego Chargers

NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
Philadelphia Eagles - Sunday, August 19
Washington Redskins - Monday, August 20

NFC North
Chicago Bears - Tuesday, August 21
Detroit Lions - Wednesday, August 22
Green Bay Packers - Thursday, August 23
Minnesota Vikings - Friday, August 24

NFC South
Atlanta Falcons - Saturday, August 25
Carolina Panthers - Sunday, August 26
New Orleans Saints - Monday, August 27
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Tuesday, August 28

NFC West
Arizona Cardinals - Wednesday, August 29
San Francisco 49ers - Thursday, August 30
Seattle Seahawks - Friday, August 31
St. Louis Rams - Saturday, September 1