National Football League

Pierre-Paul says Giants will win NFC East

Published Sep. 5, 2014 6:50 p.m. ET

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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) New York defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul believes the Giants are the team to beat in the NFC East.

Talking to Stephen A. Smith on Sirius XM Mad Dog Sports Radio channel on Friday, Pierre-Pail cut his host short when Smith seemingly was going to say that the Philadelphia Eagles appeared to be the favorite in the division.

''We're gonna win it!'' a laughing Pierre-Paul said in a transcript provided by the show.

When later asked to clarify his comment, Pierre-Paul said the division that also includes Washington and Dallas has always been wide open in his five years in the league.

''We never knew who was going to win the division and it always came down to the last game,'' Pierre-Paul said. ''But this year we're going to try to, you know what I mean, snatch it and run with it, you know what I'm saying?''

The Giants have missed the playoffs the past two seasons and are coming off a 7-9 record. There are also questions about their offense, which will be running a new West Coast offense under new coordinator Ben McAdoo in Monday night's opener in Detroit against the Lions.

''Trust me, we got this,'' Pierre-Paul said. ''Offense is gonna tighten up and they're gonna do their job. I believe in the offense. And they know it. And we're gonna come out with a win this week, you know, hopefully. We gotta do our jobs. Defense is gonna do their part, offense is gonna do their part and then most of all, special teams is gonna do their part.''

When asked which team worried him the most, Pierre-Paul was blunt.

''Nobody but us,'' he said.

Pierre-Paul is coming off his worst season, posting two sacks in an 11-game season plagued by injuries.

Giants defensive coordinator Perry Fewell said that ''JPP'' is shown glimpses of his career season in 2011, when he recorded 16 1/2 sacks and helped the Giants win the Super Bowl.

''He flashes and I see the old JPP, at times, " Fewell said Friday. ''JPP, when he was the old JPP, he would wow you, and then he would be non-existent. That's not a good word. He wouldn't be there and then he would wow you again. He has these wow plays - like Geez. We'll let the season play out because I can say (he's back) because he wows me sometimes and then he is just there sometimes.''