EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 29: Saquon Barkley #26 of the New York Giants reacts after a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on December 29, 2019 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Steven Ryan/Getty Images)
Pat Shurmur’s time as the head coach of the New York Giants has finished. Now, Joe Judge starts his tenure, and he needs to win these five games in 2020.
The New York Giants haven’t experienced a winning season since 2016. That was also the last time Big Blue played playoff football.
Since then, the highest single season win total that the team has had is five. In 2017 they went 3-13, then 5-11 in 2018 and last year they finished 4-12. This is a far-cry from where the organization was when they won two Super Bowls in five years.
Now, a branch from the Bill Belichick coaching tree will rock the coach’s headset for the Giants. Joe Judge will have a lot to prove year one, and winning football games is the easiest way to shut critics up.
Daniel Jones will lead the offense in his second year, and these five football games must be won this upcoming season.
5. Home: Dallas Cowboys
During the 2016 season, the Giants were one of the two teams to beat the Dallas Cowboys. Defeating them twice, New York won 11 games and made the playoffs.
Those two wins against Dallas and that playoff appearance signify a massive drop off for the Giants. After that, it has been a lot of losing football. Especially to the divisional rival Cowboys.
The last time the Giants beat the Cowboys was Dec. 2016. Since, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys have won the last six matchups.
If Judge wants to make an impact and generate buzz among the fans, going into Dallas and winning on the road is a must. While some fans may think that’s too tall of a task, it really isn’t with Jones and Saquon Barkley.
Beating the Cowboys, specifically on the road, has always been a good omen for successful Giant teams.