Consistency, chemistry an emerging theme for Giants’ improved offense

The New York Giants are experiencing something different on offense this season that they had very little of last year — consistency.

The offensive line of tackles Andrew Thomas and Jermaine Eluemunor, guards Greg Van Roten and Jon Runyan Jr., and center John Michael Schmitz have played all 340 offensive snaps thus far in 2024.

Last season, guard/center Ben Bredeson was the most present lineman, playing on 91.8 percent of the snaps. Guard Justin Pugh was second, playing on 69.2 percent of the snaps. Both are no longer with the Giants.

Injuries ravaged the line last year. Thomas played on just 52.2 percent of the plays and Schmitz was out there for 68.4 percent of the snaps.

Van Roten, Eluemunor, and Runyan were signed this offseason via free agency. They were targeted by the Giants due to not only their familiarity with the Giants’ system but for their reliability. So far, they’ve all been available.

“I said this, they’re a veteran group. Well coached by Carmen (Bricillo) and James (Ferentz),” Giants head coach Brian Daboll said after the team’s 29-20 upset victory over the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

“There is good chemistry in that room. A lot of extra meetings, not just with the line, but they’re staying late on Wednesdays and Thursdays and getting all sorts of food. Running backs are staying in there. You know, it’s good food, too. It’s just they’re a close-knit group. That’s what you need to be offensive line-wise. They’re veterans that have played a lot of football. Again, this is our second win. Certainly, we would like to have more. But we don’t. So go back to work this week, and do the very best we can.”

In addition, quarterback Daniel Jones has also taken every snap which is encouraging since he has never played a full season in his five years with the Giants.

Jones only played 13 games as a rookie in 2019 then missed two games in 2020 and six in 2021 due to injury. In 2022, the Giants sat Jones out in Week 17 as they had clinched the playoffs.

Last season, Jones appeared in just six games, missing time first with a neck issue and then tearing his ACL midseason. As a result, Jones played just 29.4 percent of the snaps in 2023.

Backups Tommy Devito (36.7 percent) and Tyrod Taylor (33.8 percent) took the majority of the snaps last year. The Giants finished with a 6-11 record.

The Giants have been very steady this season despite their 2-3 record. They were outplayed in Week 1 by the Minnesota Vikings, losing 28-6 at home, but since have found their footing.

In their Week 2 loss to Washington, they held the Commanders to all field goals in a 21-18 loss. The next week, against Dallas — a team that has had their number for the past seven years — they lost by five in a very winnable game.

In addition, the Giants have upped their game in several areas. They lead the league in sacks have not allowed a 100-yard game to a receiver and have just allowed one 100-yard rusher this season (Washington’s Brian Robinson Jr.).