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The one move that defined the 2018 NFL season for all 32 teams

By Erik Lambert

ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
ALAMEDA, CA - JANUARY 09: Oakland Raiders new head coach Jon Gruden looks on during a news conference at Oakland Raiders headquarters on January 9, 2018 in Alameda, California. Jon Gruden has returned to the Oakland Raiders after leaving the team in 2001. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul #90 celebrates a sack of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning #10 during their game at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – NOVEMBER 18: Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul #90 celebrates a sack of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning #10 during their game at MetLife Stadium on November 18, 2018 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

New York Giants: Trading Jason Pierre-Paul

This remains a puzzling decision even now. The Giants used the excuse that they traded Jason Pierre-Paul to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers because the team was switching to a 3-4 defense. Pierre-Paul had spent his career as a 4-3 defensive end. It was a difficult fit. Then again, good defensive coordinators should be able to find a place for good pass rushers. New York refused to accept that and simply gave away a man who has 11.5 sacks this season.

Why is that such a thing? Namely, because the Giants defense has a minimal pass rush. Their leading rusher to date has five sacks this season. Less than half of what Pierre-Paul has managed. The team seems so optimistic they can still make the playoffs this year after back-to-back wins. It’s fair to offer questions and criticism and how much better their odds might be had they kept the former Pro Bowler around for another year.

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