ESPN released its annual "Football Power Index" for the first time ahead of the 2020 NFL season. It accounts for everything from Vegas Sportbooks' win totals for each team, last season's stats and much more.
Well, after running through the calculations, Giants fans won't really like where they see their team sitting on the FPI before the start of training camp.
New York currently comes in at 26, and that's not all. They also have a 12 percent chance of reaching the playoffs this year -- and that's with an extra spot for each conference. Also, the Giants are projected to win 6.1 games this season.
One of the big factors for placing the Giants this low on the list is their strength of schedule, which comes in as the fourth-hardest among the 32 teams. They have some tough opponents like the Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks to go along with the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys twice apiece.
That is a rough road ahead for new head coach Joe Judge, which is also another factor. Yes, all the pieces that were brought in from the coaching staff to free agents to draft picks all look good thus far. But Judge has never been a head coach, so there is still caution with fans not getting their hopes up too much.
And speaking of the Cowboys and Eagles, they were ranked fifth and sixth respectively on the FPI. Both teams are looking to fight one another for that NFC East title the Eagles edged away with last season.
So, on paper, things do look rough for the Giants to start. However, the FPI changes every week, and we all know how power rankings consistently shake up with upsets and win streaks going on during the season.
Judge and the Giants could easily be one of those teams that moves on up in the FPI. It will be a tough road, but one the team looks ready to travel.