Giants Fall Half-Game Behind NL Wild Card Amid Key Player Struggles

The San Francisco Giants find themselves just a half-game out of the National League Wild Card and are looking to capitalize on this opportunity in the second half of the 2025 season. Key players like Rafael Devers, who has struggled since joining the Giants, and Jung Hoo Lee, whose performance dropped after a strong start, must improve significantly for the team to reach the postseason. Meanwhile, the New York Giants are facing low external expectations for the 2025 NFL season, with analysts projecting only 5–7 wins despite roster improvements. However, players like wide receiver Darius Slayton and cornerback Deonte Banks are highlighted as under-the-radar talents who could significantly influence the team’s fortunes. The Giants' pass rushing group, including Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Abdul Carter, is deep and talented, and despite calls to trade Thibodeaux, the team is expected to retain him to see how defensive coordinator Shane Bowen utilizes this group. Additionally, the Carolina Panthers are addressing their historically poor run defense by adding key defensive linemen like Bobby Brown III to improve their interior defense.