NY Giants can stand tall in NFC East

The New York Giants endured a miserable season last year, winning just three matches, but there is a degree of optimism in the Big Apple that it could be different this time.

Super Bowl champions Philadelphia could prove even stronger this year following the return from injury of quarterback Carson Wentz but the NFC East is traditionally one of the most competitive divisions - no team have won consecutive titles since the Eagles in 2004.

• Who wins the Super Bowl?

That looks likely to change this year, but the Giants have the potential to be Philly's nearest challengers.

Their running game has been a problem for years but that looks to have been addressed by them drafting Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick. Finally quarterback Eli Manning, who looked to be on his way out towards the end of last season, has some support on the ground.

With a boosted offensive line and star wide receiver Odell Beckham back from injury and signing a new deal, things are starting to look a lot rosier.

In the North, Green Bay are looking to put their disappointing season behind them after they were rocked by quarterback Aaron Rodgers's broken collarbone.

• AFC Divisional Picks

Their star is back and has just been handed the biggest contract in the game - he will be earning just under $100,000 a day - but there are plenty of other players on the roster who need to step up and Rodgers will be without his favourite receiver Jordy Nelson.

While Detroit have addressed their running problems and Chicago should improve a great deal, preference is for favourites Minnesota to stay on top.

• Ezekiel Elliott should gobble up the yards

They came to within one game of playing in a home Super Bowl last season and still have plenty in their favour.

Kirk Cousins is an upgrade on Case Keenum at quarterback and seeing promising running back Dalvin Cook fit again after his season was cut short last year is a big boost.

With an excellent defence, they look the complete package and they can lead the charge again.

• Green Bay Packers might struggle to make the playoffs

The NFC South should provide plenty of fireworks with Atlanta, New Orleans and Carolina all confident they can reach the playoffs again.

Last year's NFC West winners the Los Angeles Rams have invested heavily in free agency and will surely be strong, but San Francisco have also made good progress.

The 49ers won just one of their opening 11 games last year but found new life under quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo and they look to be heading in the right direction, something that probably cannot be said of rivals Arizona and Seattle.

Recommendations
New York Giants to finish second in NFC East
2pts 333-100 Coral, Ladbrokes
Minnesota to win NFC North
2pts 11-8 bet365, Hills
San Francisco to finish second in NFC West
2pts 17-10 Coral, Ladbrokes

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