Fact or Fiction: Second-half predictions for Giants

John Schmeelk: Fiction – The Giants do not play with enough leads to sustain their league-leading pace. Their rush defense will also lead to opponents attempting fewer passes, which should limit sack opportunities. They have one more sack than the Broncos, who have 35. Four other teams are within six sacks of the Giants and two (the Chargers with 31 and Vikings with 30) have only played nine games. The Giants will finish in the top five, just not in the top spot.

Dan Salomone: Fact – Leading through 10 weeks is a pretty large sample size. While they are no longer on pace to break the 1985 Giants’ franchise record of 68 – the 2024 team is on track for 61 – there’s no reason to think they can’t finish the season on top of the NFL this year.

Matt Citak: Fiction – The pass rush has been the biggest bright spot of the defense this season, but after a torrid start, the unit has slowed down in recent weeks. Playing from behind has contributed to that. Meanwhile, the defense is allowing a league-high 5.3 yards per carry. Both of these factors put opponents in less obvious passing situations, which in turn makes it more difficult for the Giants to continue their early season sack pace. While I still believe the Giants will be among the league-leaders in sacks, I don’t know if they will finish No. 1.

John Schmeelk: Fact – They might have three. Dexter Larence is just one sack away from double digits, leaving little doubt he will get there. With the way Brian Burns is playing, he is only four away from 10 and there’s no reason to think he won’t be able to get there. Burns has been consistently impactful this season. Whether Azeez Ojulari, currently with six, will get there depends on when Kayvon Thibodeaux may get back, which could limit his playing time. I feel very good about two getting there.

Dan Salomone: Fact – It has happened seven times in franchise history since sacks became an official statistic in 1982.

1985: Leonard Marshall (15.5), Lawrence Taylor (13), George Martin (10)

1986: Lawrence Taylor (20.5), Leonard Marshall (12)

1997: Michael Strahan (14), Robert Harris (10)

1998: Michael Strahan (15), Chad Bratzke (11)

2005: Osi Umenyiora (14.5), Michael Strahan (11.5)

2007: Osi Umenyiora (13), Justin Tuck (10)

2010: Justin Tuck (11.5), Osi Umenyiora (11.5)

2024 (through 10 games): Dexter Lawrence (9.0), Brian Burns (6.0), Azeez Ojulari (6.0)

Matt Citak: Fact – Dexter Lawrence needs just one sack to reach double digits for the first time in his career, which seems likely to happen over the final seven weeks of the season. As for the second player to hit 10 sacks, it will probably come down to Brian Burns and Azeez Ojulari. Kayvon Thibodeaux is nearing a return, which means Ojulari’s playing time is going to take a hit. That leaves Burns, who picked up his sixth sack of the year against the Panthers but could have had an even bigger day. Burns tied a career-high with seven pressures on Sunday, including four pressures under 2.5 seconds, according to Next Gen Stats. Four sacks in the final seven games is within reach if the talented edge rusher can stay healthy.