The New York Giants are set to play their first playoff game in six years this Sunday. Big Blue is taking on the Minnesota Vikings on Wild Card weekend, looking to earn their first postseason victory since Super Bowl XLVI in 2012. The Giants finished the season at 9-7-1 and are in stride entering the postseason. New York’s offense has benefited tremendously from a mid-season pickup, Isaiah Hodgins. Since entering the lineup, Isaiah Hodgins has been a real difference-maker in the Giants’ lineup and could be the offense’s X-Factor in the postseason.
Why Isaiah Hodgins will be the Giants’ X-Factor in the playoffs
Isaiah Hodgins has quickly established himself as Daniel Jones’s favorite weapon in the lineup. Big Blue claimed Hodgins after he was released from the Buffalo Bills practice squad in November. Hodgins spent a little over two seasons with Buffalo, which is where he became familiar with Giants head coach Brian Daboll.
Daboll was the offensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills from 2018 to 2021. When he and general manager Joe Schoen saw Hodgins become available, they were quick to act and sign the 24-year-old wideout.
It did not take long for Hodgins to get thrown into the lineup after being signed. Hodgins was claimed during the team’s bye week and was on the field for their first game after the bye. This came as a surprise to Hodgins. “Sometimes they try to catch you up to speed for a week or two, but he was like, ‘You’re playing this next week.’ It was kind of like, ‘We’re throwing you into the fire.’ I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity,” Hodgins said to NJ.com.
Since entering the Giants’ lineup, Isaiah Hodgins has gone on to total 351 yards and four touchdowns in eight games. Hodgins is third on the team in receiving yards despite playing in half as many games as the rest of the Giants’ skill-position players.
Isaiah Hodgins had a breakout game in the team’s last outing against the Minnesota Vikings. In Week 16, Hodgins posted season-high totals of eight receptions on twelve targets for 89 yards and one touchdown. As the Giants prepare to face the Vikings again in the Wild Card round, Isaiah Hodgins is bound to once again play a big role in the offense.
For an in-depth video analysis on Isaiah Hodgins and why he will be the New York Giants’ X-Factor in the postseason, check out the video below from Fireside Giants: