Two-time Super Bowl champion Osi Umenyiora spoke to Express Sport and gave us his predictions ahead of the 2017 NFL season with good news for New York Giants fans.
The former defensive end enjoyed nine years in New York before two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons – two teams with high hopes for 2017.
London-born Umenyiora now presents The NFL Show for the BBC and spoke to Express Sport about his top picks for the season ahead…
AFC Champions
The New England Patriots obviously, the Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders and I think the Miami Dolphins might make some noise this year.
NFC Champions
You have to go with the Seahawks, the Giants and I think Tampa Bay will be a strong team this year, I like what they’ve built over there. They’re my picks for the NFC.
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Surprise Packages
I like Miami, I like the Doplhins, they’re a team nobody is really paying attention to but I like the signing of Jay Cutler, I think he’s going to be good for them and he’ll be an upgrade over Ryan Tannehill. Defensively they’re a strong team and they have some outstanding wide receivers. They’re a team to watch.
…but what about the Giants?
The New York Giants are going to have a great season if health permits. You can never predict injuries – they can derail anybody’s season – but on the defensive side of the ball they’re a top five defence. They’re outstanding.
Then you have Odell Beckham, Eli Manning and they added Brandon Marshall who has been one of the top 10 receivers in the game. If they stay healthy they have a really strong chance of going far. They should be in the play-offs at least.
Potential Flops
Dallas Cowboys. I think they’re going to struggle this year. I think last year was an anomaly, I don’t think they’re as good as they played last year. I think they’re going to struggle.
Offensive MVP
Drew Brees. He’s always sharp but this year I think he can go all the way for MVP and the New Orleans Saints could go far.
Defensive MVP
J.J. Watt. He was injured a little bit last year so I think this year he’ll be back to full strength. I really like him as a MVP. Khalil Mack won it last yeat, Jason Pierre Paul and Landon Collins are all players who could have a really big impact this year, I like the way they’re playing.
Super Bowl
Way too early… To say a team is going to be there in the NFL, it doesn’t work like that.
The 2017/2018 NFL season Kicks Off this weekend – catch all the news and highlights on The NFL Show this Saturday night on BBC1 and NFL This Week on Tuesday 12th September from 11.15pm