Can the New York Giants be a surprise team in the NFC again this year?
In discussing the possible surprise teams for each division over at The 33rd Team, former NFL head coaches Marty Mornhinweg and Dave Wannstedt listed the teams they think can exceed expectations for the 2023 season along with a few that might surprise in the other direction.
Mornhinweg picked the Giants, who finished 9-7-1 last year and made the playoffs, to be in the mix again. Wannstedt, meanwhile, sent out a beware to Cowboys fans that they could ‘head south’ this year.
“The Philadelphia Eagles, who are coming off a close loss in the Super Bowl, have to be the favorites, and the Dallas Cowboys are nipping at their heels,” writes Mornhinweg. “That will be a heck of a division race.
“However, can the New York Giants create some magic again after a pretty good run last season? Can they improve after reaching the playoffs and winning a wild-card game? The Giants could be a surprise team again.”
Three of the four NFC East teams qualified for the playoffs last year.
Philadelphia won the NFC East with a 14-3 record, earning the first-round bye and then winning the NFC title. They lost the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Dallas finished two games back at 12-5 and lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the divisional playoffs. The Giants were third at 9-7-1 and also fell in the divisional round, to Philadelphia.
