Will anyone pick the Giants to win?
The New York Giants 2024 season is almost at a close and they’ll host the Indianapolis Colts for their final home game of the season.
The Giants are coming into the game 0-8 at home and are categorically the worst team in the NFL. But even so, they have something to play for as they try to avoid being the first team in the 17-game era to be 0-9 at home.
The Colts, meanwhile, are 7-8 on the year and still have some hope of making the post season. This might seem like a trap game at first blush, but with the Colts needing a win to have any chance of playing after Week 18, they won’t be looking past the Giants. They’re a very flawed team in their own right, but they’re still favored by 7.5 points on the road (per FanDuel Sportsbook).
Even so, can the Giants pull off the upset? And just how upsetting would an upset be?
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Tony DelGenio
The Colts’ offense is somewhat more functional than the Giants’ but similar in some respects. They have their own version of Wan’Dale Robinson in the slot in Josh Downs, but Downs is more dangerous and runs deeper routes. They have their own version of Jalin Hyatt in Alec Pierce, but Pierce gets open and is actually targeted regularly (22.2 yards per catch). Their best receiver, Michael Pittman Jr., is good but not as good as Malik Nabers. None of it matters that much because Anthony Richardson has only completed 47% of his passes. He does have almost 500 rushing yards, though, and 21 runs of 10+ yards. Given how the Giants set the edge, he could add quite a bit to that total. The key to the game may be whether Dru Phillips can cover Downs and whether Jonathan Taylor runs amok against the Giants’ porous (though less so lately) run defense.
On offense, the Giants will face a solid defensive front anchored by DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart in the middle, who both rush the QB well. Rookie Laiatu Latu, along with Dayo Odeyingbo and Kwite Paye, get good pressure off the edge, so all eyes will once again be on Evan Neal. The Colts have 15 interceptions, which doesn’t bode well for Drew Lock.
Pick: Colts
Chris Pflum
Can the Giants stop the run? They’ve actually done a good job of limiting running backs over the past couple weeks, but opposing quarterbacks have been able to do enough (or much more than enough, in the case of Lamar Jackson) that it hasn’t mattered. But this game is going to feature the worst quarterback in the NFL, so the Giants should be able to dare the Colts to try and beat them through the air.
I had the Cowboys, Saints, Falcons, and Colts games down as “possible wins” since the Giants Bye week. At that point I figured that the Giants would win two of those games. I still don’t think the Giants are a good team, or should even be favored to win. But I’m going to pick them to fall bass ackward into a win and jeopardize their long-awaited rebuild out of pure cynicism.
Pick: Giants
Nick Falato
0-9 at home, who would have thought that could be a reality? Not so fast, though! The Giants host the Colts 7-8. Both teams have uncertainty at quarterback, as both Drew Lock and Anthony Richardson are beat up. It appears that both quarterbacks will start for their respective teams. Richardson’s presence could pose a problem for the Giants’ injured rush defense and Jonathan Taylor is coming off a 218-yard, three-touchdown, performance against the Tennessee Titans.
New York will likely employ a similar defensive game plan to their Ravens’ approach. A lot of base personnel to beef up the trenches in the absence of Dexter Lawrence. This should open up space on the backend of the Giants’ defense. The Giants will play very hard in this game; I think it will be close. But the Colts must win out and they have a 20% chance to earn a playoff bid. I expect them to establish the run and harass the Giants’ offense to victory.
Pick: Colts
James Hickey
Before the season, 0-9 at MetLife just did not feel like reality. But it is.
I will say this, I agree with Tiki Barber when he said “[Drew Lock]’s not the guy you want to put into a situation to try to win a football game. I would have rather seen Tim Boyle on the field. They can’t honestly think that Drew Lock gives them the best chance to win.”
The moment that Daniel Jones was benched, I believe Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll knew this was the road ahead and in the best long-term interests of the organization. The real test will come next week to se if the Eagles attempt to sabotage the Giants drive to have the first selection of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Pick: Colts
Valentine’s View
So, I made the mistake last week of thinking the Giants might give one final inspired effort and win another game before the season ends. I am not doing that again.
The 7-8 Colts are a beatable football team. Anthony Richardson is a great runner, but a terrible quarterback. The Giants should be able to compete. They should have a chance to avoid going 0-9 at home.
Maybe the Giants can do those things. No chance I am predicting that to happen.
Pick: Colts
