Lex: Giants (6-2) Quick Preview Vs Struggling Texans
The first game of the second half is against the Houston Texans (1-6-1). This weekend’s contest is the second of three consecutive games against the NFC East for Lovie Smith and his struggling Texans team. The Texans will return to Houston next week to take on the Washington Commanders.
Saquon Barkley has been nothing short of outstanding this season. Heading into Week Ten, Giants Saquon Barkley ranks third in the NFL in both rushing yards (779) and total yards from scrimmage (968). His 97.4 rushing yards per game would easily top his previous career-high of 81.7, set in his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign in 2018 for the Giants. His 4.8 yards per carry would also be his highest rushing average since his rookie season. Barkley’s 28 receptions are the most on the team, while his 189 receiving yards ranks third.
One of the most impressive parts about Barkley’s season has been his ability to stay on the field for the New York Giants. Saquon is now faced with perhaps his most appetizing matchup of the year. The Texans rank last in the league in rushing yards allowed at 180.6 yards per game. Their 12 rushing scores allowed are tied for 28th, while their 5.5 yards per carry average ranks 30th. Houston allowed 135+ yards on the ground in seven of their eight games, including two in which they allowed over 280 rushing yards. Despite Houston’s struggles, Daboll knows there is talent along the Texans’ front seven.
Giants Gridiron Affiliate Dr. Squatch
“They have some good veteran players on the defense in particular,” said Daboll. “(Defensive lineman) Jerry Hughes is a guy that I’m familiar with at Buffalo, and he’s playing at a high, high level right now, which I’m not surprised with. (Defensive lineman) Mario Addison is back there; (linebacker Christian) Kirksey (is back there.) They’ve got a lot of players. They’re competitive, and we’re going to need to be at our best.” “Important game. At home. Going to have to play well,” Daboll told the media Tuesday. “Came off a bye. Feel like we’re rested. The guys have had a lot of good energy here these last couple of days, and we need to go out there and have a good week like we do every week.” Brian Daboll — New York Giants
Slowing Down Dameon Pierce
Without a doubt, the brightest spot of the Texans’ 2022 season has been the play of running back Dameon Pierce. The rookie won the starting job out of training camp and has started every game. Pierce has carried the ball 148 times for 678 yards, good for an average of 4.6 yards per carry, and three touchdowns. He has also played a solid role in the passing game, as his 20 receptions are the third-most on the team, totaling 98 yards and an additional receiving touchdown.
Pierce’s performance last week kept the Texans in the game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The rookie toted the ball a season-high 27 times for 139 yards (5.2 avg.). But his stats were even more impressive than the box score indicates. Of his 139 yards, 102 came after contact. He was able to break nine tackles against the Eagles’ staunch defense, which brought his season total up to 50, the third-most in the NFL.
This weekend’s matchup will be the second consecutive game in which the Giants face off against a top rookie running back. The Giants did a good job of slowing down Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker in Week 8, holding him to just 51 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries. His scoring run went for 16 yards, and if you were to remove that one run from his final stats, Walker’s average yards per carry would have finished at 2.1.
Wink Martindale on slowing down the Texans' running game Full video: https://t.co/29PkmOk22V pic.twitter.com/wvO72bD4IY — GiantsTV (@GiantsTV) November 9, 2022
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