The undermanned New York Giants (1-2) intention to get their season again on monitor once they host the Seattle Seahawks (2-1) on “Monday Evening Soccer.” Here is what to observe for every group:
When the Giants are on offense
Two captains are doubtless out: New York shall be with out All-Professional left deal with Andrew Thomas, who suffered a setback in his hamstring damage restoration, for the third straight sport. Moreover, star working again Saquon Barkley is listed as uncertain and shall be a game-time determination as he works again from a excessive ankle sprain he sustained in Week 2.
Barkley, a two-time Professional Bowler, was a restricted participant in every follow session this previous week however did not participate in lots of, if any, group drills, per ESPN’s Jordan Raanan.
Will QB Daniel Jones ship in primetime?: The primary season of Jones’ four-year $160M contract hasn’t began out as he or the Giants envisioned. The 26-year-old has thrown for 562 yards, two touchdowns and 4 interceptions via three video games, along with dashing for 107 yards and one landing. With Barkley doubtless out of this sport and New York’s subpar offensive line lacking Thomas, Jones should create performs along with his legs.
Nonetheless, Jones’ report on the nationwide stage means that he will not flip the Giants’ struggles round, as he’s 1-11 in primetime video games, together with 0-6 on “Monday Evening Soccer.”
Security Jamal Adams’ season debut: The previous sixth general decide by the New York Jets will make his extremely anticipated 2023 debut after he went down with a season-ending torn quadriceps in Week 1 of 2022, which was so extreme he briefly thought of retirement.
Regardless of taking part in effectively in the beginning of his Seahawks tenure, accidents have restricted Adams to taking part in simply 13 video games since signing a four-year, $70M extension in 2021 and might want to show his price this season.
Adams thrives towards the run and is likely one of the greatest pass-rushing defensive backs within the NFL, making a Giants offensive line that has surrendered 12 sacks via three video games a doubtlessly advantageous matchup for him.
Security Julian Love’s return to the Meadowlands: Love, a free agent acquisition by Seattle this offseason, will play his first sport towards the Giants after spending the primary 4 seasons of his profession with the group, although his position shall be lowered because of Adams’ return.
As a Big, Love racked up 192 solo tackles, 1.5 sacks, two pressured fumbles and 5 interceptions. This season, he’s tied for the group lead in passes defended (three) and ranks third in tackles (27).
When the Seahawks are on offense
Can QB Geno Smith proceed to construct on his current turnaround?: Smith is beginning to discover his stride after a poor season-opening efficiency towards the Rams, the place he threw for 112 yards. Over the past two video games, Smith is averaging 312 passing yards and has thrown three touchdowns to 1 interception.
The Giants secondary, which options two rookie cornerbacks, has restricted opposing signal-callers to 227 passing yards per sport this season, although they have not been examined usually because the group has already suffered two blowout losses.
With wideouts DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett main one of many extra underrated receiving corps within the league, Smith is well-equipped to provide one other 300-yard sport towards his former group.
Is that this when Jaxon Smith-Njigba lastly makes his mark?: The primary wideout chosen within the 2023 NFL Draft, Smith-Njigba has had a tough time making an affect to date, catching 9 of 14 targets for 57 yards via three video games. Whereas his frustrations had been obvious throughout final week’s 37-27 win over Carolina, Smith-Njigba ought to get extra concerned quickly.
Throughout an look on “Contained in the NFL,” Smith advised host Ryan Clark that he is conscious of Smith-Njigba’s displeasure and can try to get the rookie the soccer “as a lot as attainable.”
“A type of issues the place I simply observed on the sideline [Smith-Njigba] was kinda down about it (his lack of manufacturing to date),” Smith stated by way of Buckeyes Wire. “And clearly we obtained a bunch of expertise on this group and there’s just one soccer. And I wish to get Jaxon the ball as a lot as attainable. But it surely simply hasn’t turned out that method to date.”
RB Kenneth Walker III ought to proceed his early dashing success: After totaling 156 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns towards Carolina, Walker ought to have one other sturdy outing towards a weak Giants run protection. New York has given up 414 dashing yards and 6 touchdowns this season, displaying that they’re incapable of stopping the run in essential moments. The group’s 26 first downs allowed on dashing performs rank because the sixth-most coming into Week 4.
OLB Kayvon Thibodeaux tries to fend off the “bust” label: The Giants chosen Thibodeaux fifth general in 2022, and whereas he confirmed flashes as a rookie, he did not gentle up the field rating, registering 4 sacks in 14 video games. Thibodeaux was purported to be one of many gamers to assist elevate New York’s protection coming into his second season however has not come near assembly expectations.
Via three video games, Thibodeaux has recorded simply seven tackles and one sack, incomes him a 36.6 defensive grade from Professional Soccer Focus, which ranks one hundred and fifth out of 107 certified edge defenders.
The strain’s on for Thibodeaux, and the Giants, whose two sacks are the fewest by a protection this season, desperately want him to show that he’ll become the participant they consider he can change into.
