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NFL 2017 preview: Looking at strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for all 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Dec 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) celebrates with quarterback Eli Manning (10) after scoring a touchdown against the Lions during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham (13) celebrates with quarterback Eli Manning (10) after scoring a touchdown against the Lions during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports /

New York Giants

2016 Record: 11-5, Second Place in the NFC East

The New York Giants hold the claim of being one of just two teams to beat the Cowboys last season, and they did so twice.

That alone makes them a legitimate candidate to take over the reins in the now-tough NFC East. Remember when this was the weakest division in the NFL?

Not so much anymore. New York’s defense is vastly improved, thanks to all those 2016 free-agent additions. And the offense only got better by adding wide receiver Brandon Marshall to a crop that already includes Odell Beckham Jr.

As long as quarterback Eli Manning continues to play at a high level, the Giants will do fine on offense. And we shouldn’t expect any sort of setback this year. Especially if he can utilize rookie tight end Evan Engram on a frequent basis.

Strengths

Both the offense and defense look superb and are filled with playmakers. The Giants will need both sides of the ball to function at a high level this season, but there’s little reason to assume they won’t.

New York’s running game might be a bit of a question mark. But adding tailback Wayne Gallman later in the draft could prove to pay off handsomely.

Weaknesses

Gallman could wind up being a nice player, but the Giants could have addressed their rookie tailback needs a bit earlier.

Yet the biggest problem likely stands along their offensive line. Ereck Flowers should be over at right tackle, and the Giants still might wind up paying dearly for not protecting Manning up front. It’s not as pressing an issue as for some teams with bad O-lines, but this remains one of the bigger question marks New York faces.

X-Factors

How will the tandem of Marshall and Beckham jell? Should we expect a fierce and beneficial competition between the two? Or will this descend into some sort of locker-room problem affecting the rest of the team?

It’s probably a bigger deal on paper than in reality. But as long as the Giants are winning — and we should expect such in 2017 — things shouldn’t be that big of a deal.