The Giants.com crew members share their final thoughts before Week 1 begins.

John Schmeelk: As we sit here contemplating another season of Giants football, there is a lot to think about. Despite the fact this is the fourth year of the Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll era, things feel very new and different. The positivity from the fan base can be felt whenever you hear from them.

The obvious place to point is the quarterback room, where Russell Wilson has established himself as a captain and leader of this team as the starter. Jameis Winston provides veteran experience of his own, and while people like to focus on his sense of humor and leadership style, he is someone who is very serious about his preparation and holds his teammates accountable. Then there is Jaxson Dart, who gives hope for the future as he flashed his potential in the preseason and now develops behind the scenes.

We have written extensively over the years about how the situation around the quarterback has an outsized impact on how well the position performs and that has not changed. But quarterbacks can also raise the floor and elevate what’s going on around them with their ability to think, make the right decisions and play fast. In addition to everything Wilson has brought off the field, now that needs to translate to production on the field.

No other position impacts how well a team plays more than the quarterback. The Giants have averaged 16.1 and 15.6 points per game the last two seasons, ranking 31st and 30th in the NFL. If the Giants want to win more games this year, that needs to jump closer to the equivalent of three touchdowns per game. They get there by making more explosive plays, which lead to points. Last year the Giants finished with 34 completions of 20+ yards, tied for fewest in the league. Wilson still throws an excellent deep ball and will not hesitate pushing the ball down the field to his playmakers like Malik Nabers. Getting that number to 50 would put the Giants near the middle of the league.

Of course, Wilson will need protection to do that. Other than turnovers, nothing can short-circuit a drive like taking a sack. The Giants have a veteran offensive line that is playing together for the second straight season and should be able to protect well enough to let the offense function, especially when Andrew Thomas is healthy.

Wilson has consistently avoided turnovers for most of his career. His interception rate has not been over 2.3 percent since his rookie year and has been 1.8 percent or lower in three of his last four seasons. More big plays and fewer turnovers (and sacks) would be a winning formula for the Giants.

The Giants play too tough of a schedule to afford to have the minus-8 turnover ratio they had last season. They are going to have to win close games against good teams, and they won’t do that if they lose the turnover battle any given week. The Giants’ 15 takeaways last year ranked as the fifth-fewest in the NFL and only the Browns had fewer than their five interceptions. If the pass rush can disrupt opposing quarterbacks after putting them in second- and third-and-long situations, a more veteran secondary should be able to make more plays on the ball.

It’s also essential that the Giants start fast this season with two road division games against the Commanders and Cowboys. The Giants do not want to head back to their home opener in Week 3 staring at Patrick Mahomes, Chris Jones, Travis Kelce and the Chiefs at 0-2 overall and in the division. Their next two division games are also against the Eagles.

The Giants have a more talented roster, especially at the most important positions, than I have seen in a long time. They have the capability to be a much better team than they’ve been the past two seasons. Their path to victory each week will be much easier to find and not nearly as narrow as it has been. But they still need to play well, especially in the areas I just wrote about.

Protect the quarterback and the ball.

Make more big plays in the passing game, which means more points.

Take the ball away with more explosive defensive plays.

If the Giants can do those things, this could be a very fun season at MetLife Stadium.