Fact or Fiction: Predicting firsts for 2022

Saquon Barkley will score the Giants’ first touchdown of the season

John Schmeelk: Fiction – The odds with questions like this always say to take the field, but let’s dig a bit deeper. The Giants are unlikely to be a run heavy offense this season; they will pass it far more than they will run – which means the odds a rushing touchdown will be their first of the season aren’t great. Is there a chance Saquon catches the first touchdown of the season? Yes, but let’s go with someone more unlikely – a play-action pass from inside the 5 to rookie tight end Daniel Bellinger.

Dan Salomone: Fact – He can do it through the air as well as on the ground, so he doubles his odds. Barkley is also no stranger to splashy season debuts. As a rookie, he broke a 68-yard touchdown run as part of his 128 yards from scrimmage in his first NFL game. He outdid himself in 2020 with 139 total yards, including 120 on the ground. The Giants, including Barkley himself, plan for him to return to that form in 2022.

Lance Medow: Fiction – In the two seasons that Daniel Jones has been the opening day starter, a wide receiver has found the end zone first. In 2020, it was Darius Slayton against the Steelers and last season, Sterling Shepard accomplished that feat against the Broncos. Although Saquon Barkley’s versatility increases his chances to score touchdowns, let’s take the field and, perhaps, the continuation of the wide receiver theme.

Matt Citak: Fiction – If he can stay healthy, Saquon Barkley could be looking at a huge bounce-back performance in 2022. However, it may not begin with the first touchdown of the Giants’ season. The offense under Brian Daboll and Mike Kafka appears set to be more creative than Giants fans have ever seen. There will be a lot of misdirection and pre-snap motion, all with the goal of keeping opposing defenses on their toes. That is why it would not be surprising at all if the first touchdown of the season came on some sort of gadget play or even a designed…