Giants Week Two Preview: The Defense
The Giants’ Week Two matchup sees them face off against the Carolina Panthers. How will the team’s defense fare in this NFC Matchup?
The Giants will be facing off against the Panthers in this Week Two matchup. How will the defense fair against this not very good panthers offense? Can the defensive line survive again without Thibodeaux and Ojulari? How will the Giants fare against former Giants head coach Bob Mcadoo (Panthers’ offensive coordinator)?
Despite the hope that Thibodeaux and Ojulari would return, it looks more and more likely that the Giants’ players Thibodeaux and Obujari will not play this week. Currently, as of Friday afternoon, both edge rushers are listed as doubtful to play this week
WR Kadarius Toney (hamstring) moving well. Like his chances for Sunday. OLBs Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari worked on the side with trainers during most of Friday’s practice open to media. Don’t like their chances based off that. #Giants pic.twitter.com/pFHvvieGv4 — Jordan Raanan (@JordanRaanan) September 16, 2022
It looks like again that Jihad Ward and Oshane Ximines will start on the edges. Look for a rotation on the edges. Furthermore, the inside defensive lineman will be important in this matchup. One matchup to watch is the battle between Leanord Williams and Brady Christensen. According to PFF, Christensen is the 14th best guard in the league. Considering that Williams is good but not a great interior defensive lineman, this will be a matchup.
The Secondary And Linebackers Will Be Big For The Giants
The most intriguing matchup to watch in the secondary is Adoree Jackson versus D.J Moore. Moore is the best wide receiver on the Panthers roster. Last week, Moore had a subpar week with only having three catches for 43 yards. Jackson will need to contain Moore if New York wants a chance to win this week. The Giants will probably lose this matchup when Robbie Anderson is guarded by the Giants’ second corner on the depth chart. The defense doesn’t have a clear number two corner, but it will probably be one of Darney Holmes, Cor’dale Flott, or Justin Layne.
I don’t think any of these corners have a chance against Robbie Anderson. Look for Xavier Mckinney to help a lot in this matchup. Ethier way, I think Anderson will have a big game. The third wide receiver for the Panthers is Laviska Shenault Jr. Shenualt did not play last week due to injury. It is still unclear whether Shenualt will play. Even if Shenualt does not play, look for whoever is the third wide receiver for the panthers to have a big game. The New York roster has horrible corner depth and like last week it will be shown again.
Once again, the game will come down to if the linebacking core can contain Christian McCaffrey. Last week, the linebackers struggled in coverage. Tae Crowder was the worst offender of the group and had an overall poor game. Containing the Panthers’ electric running back will be a hard assignment for the team this week. Look for Calitro to get the assignment in covering McCaffrey.
I would expect Julian Love would help cover McCaffrey as well. Overall I would expect the coverage to be a group assignment, something Wink Martindale will have multiple answers for. Tommy Tremble will probably be an afterthought for the Giants. I would probably expect Tremble to guard whoever doesn’t end up taking on McCaffrey, Anderson, and Moore in man coverage. I don’t really expect to be that big of a threat in zone coverage.
Baker Mayfield is one notable player on this offense, we haven’t talked about yet. He will probably make one huge mistake that the Giants can turn into an interception. Considering the Giants’ secondary, they might not be to capitalize on that mistake. I do not think that Mayfield will be able to capitalize on the Giants’ secondary. Mayfield will probably be able to find Mccaffrey in open spaces against this Giants’ offense.
Verdict
I think the Giants’ defense will be fine against the Panthers’ Offense. Some of the good playmakers that the Panthers will have a good game, but the defense will be fine against the Panthers’ offense. I would say the Panthers score around 17 points. I think if the defense does what they are capable of, the Giants’ offense will have a good chance to win this game.