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Final Power Ranking: 12
Preseason Power Ranking: 19
Biggest surprise: That quarterback Eli Manning threw 25 interceptions. For whatever reason, Manning tried to do too much with the ball this season. He certainly had some unlucky breaks with tipped balls, but he also made some ridiculous decisions, such as throwing the ball into the end zone against the Titans with his left arm -- and getting picked. The Giants are still firmly in Manning's corner, but he needs to figure out that it's OK to occasionally throw the ball way. Manning did manage 31 touchdown passes, but that interception total is what a lot of Giants fans are discussing.
Biggest disappointment: This Giants will look back on several moments during the 2010 season and kick themselves for not capitalizing on opportunities. I know coach Tom Coughlin's still scratching his head over how his team was physically whipped in Green Bay with a playoff bid on the line. It's like the players didn't have a full appreciation for what was at stake, and that's a major disappointment to everyone in the organization. Losing defensive end/linebacker Mathias Kiwanuka was also a huge disappointment. He was probably defensive coordinator Perry Fewell's most versatile player. The Giants did a nice job of managing injuries at receiver and on the offensive line, but Kiwanuka's the type of player who's virtually impossible to replace.
Biggest need: The Giants have to continue adding depth at the linebacker position. If former second-round draft pick Clint Sintim isn't going to emerge as a starter, it's time to find someone else. Keith Bulluck isn't going to cut it over the long haul. Jonathan Goff was steady at middle linebacker, but the Giants need to surround him with more talent. GM Jerry Reese will be looking for some of the top linebackers coming out of college. On offense, the Giants need another reliable tight end and an offensive tackle. If David Diehl is going to move inside to left guard permanently, the club has to decide if Will Beatty is the long-term answer at left tackle. Surely the team won't bet on Shawn Andrews staying healthy based on his track record with the Eagles and his brief time with the Giants. And kudos to Rich Seubert for filling in nicely for Shaun O'Hara at center and then slipping over to left guard, which is his preferred spot.
Team MVP: If Hakeem Nicks hadn't been injured late in the season, I think he would've been in the mix. But defensive end Justin Tuck would be my pick. He had 11.5 sacks and six forced fumbles to go along with Osi Umenyiora's league-record 10 forced fumbles.
Worst moment: When you blow a 21-point lead with eight minutes to go in a game, I'd have to think it deserves "worst moment" status. The New York Giants were in position to take control of the NFC East after dominating a Week 15 game against the Eagles for three and a half quarters. But Michael Vick led one of the most exciting comebacks in years. DeSean Jackson capped it off with a 65-yard punt return for a touchdown when punter Matt Dodge failed to get the ball out of bounds. That was truly the worst moment of the season for the Giants.