They shocked everyone when they beat the New England Patriots to Super Bowl 42 and 46, the latter being the last time they had won a playoff game until their win over the Minnesota Vikings last weekend.

Facing the number one seed is never easy, but the Giants will go into this game confident they can cause an upset.

Can they do it again?

Taking Their Chances

If the Giants are to advance, they have to capitalize and make the most of any opponent flaws.

Philadelphia’s quarterback Jalen Hurts and offensive lineman Lane Johnson have been injury doubts and will likely go into this game not 100% healthy.

This is where the Giants can capitalize, between the trenches. With a defensive line featuring studs such as Dexter Lawrence, Leonard Williams, Jaylon Smith, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, they can get to the Eagles.

This is not going to be a pretty win, and the Giants are likely going to have to grind out a hard-fought win, but if they can win this battle between the trenches, then they have every chance. If they do this, they will need their offense to also perform lights out.

Is Daniel Jones Eli 2.0?

This was one of the feel-good stories of Wildcard Weekend.

Jones became the first quarterback in playoff history to throw for 300+ passing yards and have over 75 rushing yards during their 31-24 win over Minnesota.

Some players have a clutch gene in them when it comes to playoff football, and there was not a more recent example than Nick Foles as he guided the Eagles to their one and only Super Bowl.

Eli Manning was another player, and like Jones, he was never elite in the regular season. However, in the postseason, he turned into a different animal.

Who can forget his pass to David Tyree in Super Bowl 42 and catch to Mario Manningham in Super Bowl 46. These are not exactly elite receivers who helped these plays happen.

Manningham never had a season with 1,000 yards receiving and only once did he catch more than five touchdowns in a regular season. He only had 51 receptions and one touchdown in the two seasons that followed Super Bowl 46 before retiring.

Tyree never had more than 211 yards in any regular season and had four touchdowns all throughout his career. He had just four receptions from eight targets and one touchdown in their Super Bowl winning postseason run in the 2007 season. He never had a career reception after getting his ring.

There is a sense of familiarity with the current players Jones has around him. Barkley is the one exception, an elite running back, a contender for Comeback Player of the Year and someone with three 1,000-yard seasons in his five years in the league.

Wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins and rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger both scored in Sunday’s win. Bellinger only had 268 yards in 12 games this season and Hodgins has just 392 career yards in three seasons. Darius Slayton also came up big despite never having a season with more than 800 yards. His 88 yards went a long way to helping the Giants beat the Vikings..

In Barkley, Bellinger, and Hodgins, these are three weapons that will be a big help to Jones if they are to beat the Eagles.

If They Were To Win…

A road game against either the San Francisco 49ers or Dallas Cowboys would follow should Brian Daboll’s men advance. Whilst they would once again be underdogs, they will fill confident after beating Philadelphia.

As great as Brock Purdy has been, the rookie QB has yet to be tested at the highest level, with a favorable regular season schedule and a game against the seventh seed Seattle Seahawks. Purdy looked nervous at times in the Wildcard Round.

Earlier, there was discussion about quarterbacks such as Nick Foles and Eli Manning who turn it on in the postseason. Other quarterbacks such as Kyler Murray (2021 season) and Jared Goff (Super Bowl 53) proved to be the other way around. If Purdy struggles, whilst there is an argument that their defense could bail them out. With an offense that scored 31 points on Sunday, there is no guarantee that this 49ers defense will automatically be the same as they have been all season.

If they are to face the Cowboys, this is a Cowboys team that has perennially struggled since their 1995 success. They have choked in recent seasons when it matters, and despite his brilliant performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday Night Football, Dak Prescott has yet to deliver when it really counts.

It is a longshot that the Giants win one game, let along two or three more, but there have been crazier playoff moments. This is why NFL fans love the playoffs. Anything can happen.

The post Could The Giants Shock The World? appeared first on Pro Football Mania.

By: Jake Rajala

The San Francisco 49ers made it to the NFC Championship last season and they will look to return to the post-season with their new leader in Trey Lance. With that said, I’m going to simply outline the potential highs, likely lows, and overall record with the 49ers next season.

Week 1: at the Bears

This NFC battle features two, second-year dual-threat quarterbacks. Although, Lance has a significantly more well-rounded roster than Fields. I love that the 49ers kept Deebo Samuel and I expect SF to win 28-17.

Week 2: vs the Seahawks

The 49ers should honestly throttle the rebuilding Seahawks team by a score of 28-14.

Week 3: at Broncos

I foresee the Broncos having more success through the air than SF in this key showdown. I expect the 49ers to lean on George Kittle with his match-ups and make it a highly competitive game. All in all, I believe Denver wins 28-24.

Week 4: vs the Rams

I love the Rams chances at returning to the Super Bowl next season. They also have more firepower (Allen Robinson) than last season in my opinion. I believe LA wins 35-28.

Week 5: at the Panthers

The 49ers will bounce back in Week 5 against a Panthers team that may cut ties with Matt Rhule by the mid-point of the season. I believe SF wins 28-14.

Week 6: at the Falcons

I actually feel that SF is upset by the Falcons with the very underrated Marcus Mariota and stud TE Kyle Pitts. I believe the Falcons win 24-21.

Week 7: vs the Chiefs

The 49ers should give Patrick Mahomes issues with their pass rush, but I’m more convinced that Patty Mahomes comes in clutch to win this game. I believe KC wins 28-14.

Week 8: at the Rams

Unfortuantely, I don’t anticipate the 49ers stealing lunch money from LA in 2022. I expect LA to win 34-24 in this contest.

Week 10: vs the Chargers

I believe the Chargers and the Eagles are the two most underrated NFL squads. I really believe the Chargers edge out SF in this game by a score of 28-21.

Week 11: at the Cardinals

The 49ers should beat the Cardinals in my opinion. I believe both teams will dig deep and SF wins a gutsy match-up by a score of 24-21.

Week 12: at the Saints

I foresee the Saints winning a blood-bath, NFC showdown by a score of 24-14. The Saints are one step ahead of SF from my view.

Week 13: vs the Dolphins

I sadly expect Shanny to witness his former Padawan in Mike McDaniel to beat him. I predict the Phins to win 28-21.

Week 14: vs the Buccaneers

The Buccaneers will not take the gas off the pedal in Week 13. I imagine Tampa wins 35-21.

Week 15: at the Seahawks

This NFC West clash will result in a victory, as a likely three-four win team in SEA loses by a score of 28-17.

Week 16: vs the Commanders

The 49ers should win this pivotal match-up, as I trust in Shanny and the clutch 49ers team more than Carson Wentz. I believe the 49ers win 31-24.

Week 17: at the Raiders

I don’t love the 49ers chances against the Raiders and I believe Derek Carr has a big day against the 49ers secondary. I believe LV wins 31-21.

Week 18: vs the Cardinals

After the 49ers swept LA in 2021, I feel the 49ers mop the floor against AZ in 2022. I believe SF wins 27-24.

Final record: 7-10

The post Projecting the San Francisco 49ers record in 2022 appeared first on Pro Football Mania.