What Is 2019 New York Giants football

Overview

The 2019 season marked the New York Giants' 95th campaign in the National Football League (NFL) and their seventh under ownership by the Mara and Tisch families. Competing in the NFC East division, the team struggled to find consistency, ultimately finishing with a disappointing 4-12 record, their second consecutive season with fewer than five wins.

Head coach Pat Shurmur, who was in his second year at the helm, was dismissed after the season ended, as the franchise sought a new direction. Rookie quarterback Daniel Jones, selected sixth overall in the 2019 NFL Draft, took over as starter in Week 3 after veteran Eli Manning was benched, signaling a major shift in the team's future strategy.

• Daniel Jones made his first start in Week 3 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, leading the Giants to a 32-31 comeback victory in his debut.
• The team started the season 0-2 with losses to the Dallas Cowboys and Buffalo Bills, both by double-digit margins.
• New York’s offense ranked near the bottom of the league, finishing 31st in total yards per game at 275.6.
• The defense allowed an average of 27.4 points per game, ranking 29th in the NFL for points allowed.
• Despite the poor record, the Giants secured the fourth overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft due to draft order tiebreakers.

Performance & Season Highlights

The 2019 season was defined by transition, injury, and underperformance across multiple units. While the introduction of Daniel Jones brought moments of promise, the overall execution on both sides of the ball failed to generate sustainable success.

• Week 3 comeback: Jones led a game-winning drive in the final two minutes against Tampa Bay, finishing with 336 total yards and two touchdowns.
• Eli Manning’s benching: After starting the first two games, longtime Giants QB Manning was replaced, ending his 210-start streak as the team’s primary signal-caller.
• Saquon Barkley rushed for 1,078 yards and six touchdowns despite missing two games due to injury, remaining a bright spot in the offense.
• The defense struggled with consistency, particularly against the pass, allowing 244.8 passing yards per game, ranking 27th in the league.
• Special teams issues plagued the team, including missed field goals by Chad Ryland, who later lost his job to Blair Walsh.
• The Giants’ only divisional wins came against the Philadelphia Eagles (35-31) and the Washington Redskins (20-19).

Comparison at a Glance

The 2019 Giants compared poorly to both their division rivals and league averages across key performance metrics.

These statistics highlight the Giants’ struggles on both sides of the ball. While they slightly exceeded the league average in points allowed, their offensive inefficiency and lack of big-play capability kept them from competing consistently. The Cowboys, despite a similar record, significantly outperformed New York in nearly every statistical category, emphasizing the gap within the division.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season was a pivotal turning point for the Giants, marking the official end of the Eli Manning era and the beginning of a franchise rebuild centered around younger talent.

• The decision to bench Manning after Week 2 signaled a full organizational reset, ending a 16-year tenure as starting QB.
• Daniel Jones’ rookie season provided mixed results, with 3,027 passing yards and 24 interceptions, raising questions about his long-term development.
• Pat Shurmur’s firing led to the hiring of Joe Judge as head coach, a former Patriots assistant, in January 2020.
• The team’s poor performance secured a high draft pick, allowing them to select Andrew Thomas, an offensive tackle, in the top 10.
• Continued struggles contributed to declining attendance at MetLife Stadium, reflecting fan disillusionment with management.
• The season underscored the need for structural changes in coaching, player development, and front-office decision-making.

Ultimately, the 2019 New York Giants season served as a bridge between eras, setting the stage for a multi-year rebuild aimed at restoring competitiveness in the NFC East.