Giants At (5-1): Ready For A Reckoning With The Talented Jaguars
The Giants are riding high at the moment as they’re coming off a 24-20 upset win over the Ravens that boosted their record to 5-1. Now they head to Jacksonville to take on the Jaguars and a team that is filled with talent.
As Week Seven rears its head, the Giants currently sit in second place in the NFC East behind the undefeated Eagles. They’ve secured their best record to start a season since 2009 and beaten multiple playoff teams from a year ago. First-year Head Coach Brian Daboll had instilled a new culture immediately, adding to it by prioritizing winning. This culture is something previous regimes failed to do. Running Back Saquon Barkley leads the NFL in scrimmage yards. Quarterback Daniel Jones is playing the best football of his career.
All of that is truly leading the Giants, who are currently three-point underdogs, into their upcoming matchup with the 2-4 Jaguars in Jacksonville. The Jaguars are a team who’s actually greatly improved under new Head Coach Doug Pederson. They have a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, spotlighting QB Trevor Lawrence who looks like the real deal. The Giants should be considered the favorites, yet people don’t believe they can sustain their winning ways. Ahead of Sunday’s matchup with the Jaguars, here are three things to watch out for during the game.
1. Giants Offensive Line Against Talented Pass-Rush
The offensive line of the New York Giants has gotten a lot better compared to years past. Once considered one of the worst groups on the team, it can be The offensive line of the New York Giants has gotten a lot better compared to years past. Once considered one of the worst groups on the team, it can be argued it’s been a strength this season. Left Tackle Andrew Thomas has been one of the best tackles in the NFL this season as he’s destroyed his competition so far.
The interior of the o-line has struggled in pass protection but has done a really nice job creating lanes in run blocking. Rookie Right Tackle Evan Neal struggled in his first couple of games but played his best game of the season last week against the Ravens allowing just one QB hurry.
This week, they have a tough task as they face two former top 10 overall picks: Josh Allen and Travon Walker. Josh Allen was taken by the Jaguars with the 6th pick in 2019. He got 10.5 sacks his rookie season but injuries have affected him. Last season though he played 16 games and had 7.5 sacks. This year he already has three sacks and two forced fumbles and will certainly be a handful. Travon Walker was the first pick in this year’s NFL Draft and has a lot of raw talent. He has a sack and an interception this year but is looking to build on those numbers.
It should be a challenge for the Giants’ offensive line, especially for Evan Neal who played against Walker in the SEC and the 2022 National Championship Game, yet it’s been a strength this season. Left Tackle Andrew Thomas has been one of the best tackles in the NFL this season as he’s destroyed his competition so far. The interior of the o-line has struggled in pass protection but has done a really nice job creating lanes in run blocking. Rookie Right Tackle Evan Neal struggled in his first couple of games but played his best game of the season last week against the Ravens allowing just one QB hurry.
2. The Health Of Saquon Barkley
The Giants’ MVP so far this season has to be RB Saquon Barkley. He has been excellent this season and comes into Week seven as the RB3 overall and in points per game. He’s done everything for this offense including running, receiving, and even playing wildcat QB. He’s been a true warrior but an injury he’s currently dealing with could slow him down a little. Back in Week Five in London against the Packers, Barkley landed awkwardly on his right shoulder. He would sit out the rest of that drive but finished the rest of the game. Last week against the Ravens, he seemed to re-aggravate the injury and appeared to be in a lot of pain.
Brian Daboll said Wednesday that there are no issues for Barkley about his shoulder but he was a limited participant in practice. If Saquon were to miss anytime due to the injury, it would be detrimental to the entire offense and its identity. They would have to rely on backup RB Matt Breida, who’s a nice piece, but isn’t close to replicating the production Barkley gives. Look for the Giants to play Barkley on Sunday but maybe limit his snaps a tad to give that injured shoulder at rest. The last thing you want is him playing too hard and injuring it so bad it means he’s out for an extended period of time.
Barkley himself does not appear concerned: “It’s annoying, but it’s not something that’s going to stop me from going out there and being able to produce. Just like anything throughout the season, it’s every year – it’s football, and something is going to happen. Just got to stay with it. The trainers have been doing a really good job of setting up a program for me and also getting in the strength room, setting up a great program too.” He was in attendance for week seven practice; listed as LP “limited participation in practice”.
Dr Squatch
3. Wink Martindale’s Plan Against Jaguars
Giants Defensive Coordinator Wink Martindale had a tremendous day last week against the Ravens as he beat his former team and his side of the football was the deciding factor in that win. They finally got their first interception of the season and Rookie EDGE Rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux finished the game with a strip sack. Now Wink must turn his attention from a former MVP in Lamar Jackson to a player many have predicted to be an MVP down the road in Trevor Lawrence.
Lawrence brings a completely different style of play to the table and tries to beat you with intermediate throws. He methodically moves the ball down the field and has good ball placement. The Jaguars have been blitzed only 45 times this season, tied for the seventh-fewest in the NFL. Lawrence has been pressured only 18.7% of the time per dropback, so look for Martindale to continue his trademark blitzes to create more of those pressures. EDGE Rusher Azeez Ojulari is also progressing to make his return from injury Sunday which makes that task a little easier.
One area to look out for concerning the Jaguars’ offense is their ability to score early. They score 5.7 points per game in the first quarter which is tied for fifth in the NFL. They start off running so the Giants have to be prepared for a quick strike.
Lex Of It: Giants (5-1) Week Seven Trap Game? – Giants Gridiron https://t.co/6IZdfNjOwr — Giants Gridiron via “Lex” (@giants_gridiron) October 20, 2022