Giants Week One: Previewing The Defense
The Giants face off against the Titans this Sunday. How will this defense face off against Derrick Henry and the rest of the Titans’ offense? What position groups will be critical in this matchup against this week one matchup?
The Giants face off against the Titans this week. Last season the Titans finished 12-5 and first in the AFC South. Their offense ranked 15th in points scored. The team ranked first in rushing attempts, fifth in rushing yards and third in rushing touchdowns. In the passing attack, the team ranked 25 in attempts, 24th in yards, and 19th in touchdowns. Let’s get into how this week’s matchup affects each position group on the defensive side.
How Will The Giants Defensive Line Fare Against The Titans
Pending a change, it looks like the Giants starting defensive line for this matchup will be without their two starting outside linebackers. Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari look like they will be out this week with injuries. It looks like Jihad Ward and Oshane Ximes will be the starters at outside linebacker.
This is very disappointing because the Titans’ offensive line isn’t supposed to be very good. According to PFF, they have the 27th best offensive line in the league. The Giants could have capitalized on their poor offensive line with their bright young duo at outside linebacker but now can’t because both of them are most likely gonna be out this week.
Giants OLBs Kayvon Thibodeaux (knee) and Azeez Ojulari (calf) again focusing on their hands and footwork without contact during media viewing period. Looking more and more like Week 2 at the earliest for their return. — Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) September 7, 2022
The Matchups on the edges will be Ximenes vs Taylor Lewan on the left side and Ward vs Nicholas Petit-Frere on the right side. While Frere and Lewan aren’t anything special at this point in their respective careers, Ximenes and Ward aren’t anything special either. Look for either team to win the battle on the edges. In the trenches, the matchup to look out for will be Dexter Lawrence and Leonard Williams (Davis will probably take turns blocking both of them) vs Nate Davis.
Davis is a solid offensive guard in the league. According to PFF, he is the 25th best guard in the NFL. This will be a nice battle to watch as this will probably decide who wins the battles in the trenches. It will be key for Davis to win the blocking battle between whoever he is blocking on any given snap because Aaron Brewer (another starting guard) will have a tough time blocking whoever Davis doesn’t pick up. Look for Ben Jones, the Titans starting center to help Brewer block when he can.
Titans Wide Receivers Against The Giants Secondary
The Giants will probably lose this battle. While the Titans’ wide receivers are nothing special, this Giants’ secondary is very poor. Addore’ Jackson will be locking up Robert Woods. Look for Jackson to hold his own against Woods. While Woods is a good wide receiver, Jackson is a solid corner. I think this is the one battle in the secondary that will go the way of the Giants.
It is very tricky to see who will guard Treylon Burks. The Giants don’t have anyone who can guard him at that size. I would go with Aaron Robinson because he is the second-best corner on the team (yeah the group is that weak). I would also double him a lot with Xavier Mckinney over the top. With Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, I would go with Darney Holmes. You would have to go nickel if they go with three wide receivers. So that is who I would go with.
Giants linebackers and strong safety vs Titans tight end+running backs:
Again this is a matchup, the Giants will lose. Henry will probably win the battle against Tae Crowder and Austin Calitro. The same thing will happen when Micah Mfadden gets subbed in the game. when It comes to guarding Austin Hooper, I would give the Giants a solid shot at him. Look for him to be pickup by a linebacker or Julian Love. This is a position group that the Giants will probably lose.
This defense will probably not fare well against the Titans’ offense. Without their young outside linebacker duo, I don’t really give this Giants defense any shot at stopping the Titans. Still, I think there will be some positives to take away from this matchup. I think the inside pass rush will be nice and something to take away from this game positively. Despite that, the Giants are not gonna do well against this Titans offense.