The New York Giants have first place and a knack for making their fans sweat through the final whistle. Russell Wilson believes the winning can continue, preferably with everyone’s blood pressure intact.
Watching his former team start 3-1 under John Harbaugh, Wilson sees a group with enough toughness and belief to stay atop the NFC East. His explanation starts with the basics.
Russell Wilson Backs John Harbaugh’s Approach With the Giants
During “Set, Hut!” with Kyle Long, Wilson praised the approach behind New York’s encouraging start.
“That’s just old school, simple teaching. The New York Giants are 1st in the NFC East, and you know what, I think they can lead this division,” Wilson said.
“I think they can because they play physical football. I’ve been in that locker room before; those guys believe in each other, they’re gonna work their [expletive] off no matter what the circumstances are, and you know they got a great fan base.”
Wilson’s confidence comes with some familiarity. He is talking about a locker room he has occupied and players whose habits he has seen up close. His endorsement puts considerable weight on how those players respond when a game gets uncomfortable.
Sunday supplied a fairly extreme example.
PREDICT THE NFL SEASON: PFN’s Free NFL Playoff Predictor
The Giants’ 36-24 win over the Arizona Cardinals ended with Deonte Banks returning an interception 98 yards for a touchdown as time expired. That finish secured sole possession of first place in the NFC East.
A glance at the score makes the afternoon look considerably more relaxing than it was. Arizona had first-and-goal at the Giants’ 4-yard line with 22 seconds left, trailing by six. Banks’ pass-interference penalty had helped put the Cardinals there. Three incompletions and one interception later, he was running the other way.
That is a pretty efficient way to change the conversation about your afternoon.
BE THE GM OF YOUR FAVORITE TEAM: PFN’s Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator
New York’s Defense Gives Russell Wilson’s Prediction Some Backing
Harbaugh’s postgame assessment fit the resilience Wilson highlighted.
“That’s what winning teams do. They find ways to win games,” Harbaugh said following the victory.
Through Week 4, the Giants rank 11th in PFN’s Defense Impact Metric, carrying a 76.4 grade. They also lead the NFC East in that regard, ahead of the Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Commanders and Dallas Cowboys.
There is still plenty to clean up. New York needed to overcome an 11-point deficit against Arizona, and its last two home victories required late defensive stands. Harbaugh’s team has nevertheless won all three home games, with a trip to Washington next.
That divisional matchup gives the Giants an immediate opportunity to strengthen Wilson’s argument. Winning ugly has bought them a spot at the top. Now comes the challenge of staying there while opponents get more film and the schedule keeps moving.
